The Government of Assam launched the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNM) scheme in August 2024. The scheme was announced in the State Budget for the financial year 2024-25. The then Finance Minister, Ajanta Neog, stated that 10 lakh girls across Assam would be supported with financial grants as admission incentives to continue their education from Higher Secondary to Post‑Graduation levels.
This article provides a complete and detailed overview of the scheme for the 2026-27 academic year. It covers the exact monthly financial assistance amounts, detailed eligibility criteria (including the special provisions for married PG students), the list of required documents, the step‑by‑step application process, the attendance rules, exclusion categories, and the complete district‑wise list of eligible government and venture colleges.
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni scheme represents a historic commitment by the Assam government to support girl child education. For the 2026-27 academic year, eligible students should prepare their documents early. The application window typically opens in July‑August. Since the process runs through educational institutions, students should regularly check with their college or school administration for announcements regarding form distribution. This page will be updated as soon as the official notification for the 2026-27 session is released.
Key Facts – Nijut Moina Asoni 2026-27 at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNM) |
| Launched By | Government of Assam, Higher Education Department |
| Announced In | State Budget 2024-25 (August 2024) |
| Target Beneficiaries | 10 lakh girl students across Assam |
| Current Coverage (2025-26) | Over 5.5 lakh girl students |
| Total Budget Allocation (2026-27) | Approximately ₹260 crore annually |
| Mode of Transfer | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – monthly |
| Official Portal | Directorate of Higher Education, Assam (via educational institutions) |
What is the Nijut Moina Asoni? – Background and Objectives
Before the scheme was launched, Assam faced a serious problem. Many girl students were dropping out after Class 10. The reasons were financial difficulties, social pressures, and early marriage. The government designed Nijut Moina Asoni as a direct response to these challenges. The scheme aims to support one million (10 lakh) girl students with financial grants to continue their studies.
The scheme has five stated objectives, according to the official Office Memorandum issued by the Higher Education Department:
- To increase the enrolment of girl students in Higher Secondary, Graduation, and Post‑Graduation levels.
- To increase the overall Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of the state.
- To increase the percentage of girls educated beyond matriculation in Assam.
- To reduce dropout rates among girl students.
- To eliminate the social evil of child marriage by keeping girls engaged in education for a longer duration.
The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has repeatedly stated that the scheme is part of a larger strategy to empower young women and make them financially independent. Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, the scheme resulted in an 8.2 per cent reduction in dropout rates among girl students, and an increase in Gross Enrolment Ratio by 4.2 per cent at the secondary level and 7.5 per cent at the senior secondary level.
Financial Assistance – How Much Money and When?
The amount of financial assistance depends on the level of education. The payments are made monthly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the bank account of the student. No cash is handed over. The money is credited for a maximum of ten months in an academic year. However, payments are not made during the months of June and July (summer vacation) every year.
Here is the complete breakdown of the monthly and annual amounts for the 2026-27 session:
| Level of Education | Monthly Amount | Maximum Months per Year | Total Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Secondary (Class 11 and 12) | ₹1,000 | 10 months | ₹10,000 |
| Graduation First Year (BA/BSc/BCom) | ₹1,250 | 10 months | ₹12,500 |
| Post‑Graduation First Year (MA/MSc/MCom) | ₹2,500 | 10 months | ₹25,000 |
| B.Ed First Year | ₹2,500 | 10 months | ₹25,000 |
Important Payment Rules: The scheme does not provide any financial assistance during summer vacation or any other vacation that extends for more than one month. For the academic session 2025-26, the benefits were provided for only 9 months. For 2026-27, the government has confirmed that payments will be made for the full 10 months.
The scheme has also absorbed the earlier "Mobility Grant Scheme" which was meant for Post‑Graduate students. There is no separate Mobility Grant scheme any longer. All PG students who were eligible under that scheme now receive their benefits under Nijut Moina Asoni.
Eligibility Criteria – Who Can Apply?
The eligibility criteria are clearly defined in the government order. Applicants must satisfy all the conditions listed below. The scheme is not based on economic status, meaning girl students from families with any income level can apply. There is no income ceiling.
Basic Eligibility Conditions:
- The applicant must be a girl student.
- She must be a permanent resident (domicile) of Assam.
- She must be enrolled in a government or venture (provincialised) educational institution. Students studying in private colleges or universities are NOT eligible.
- She must be enrolled in one of the following courses:
- Higher Secondary First Year (Class 11)
- Graduation First Year (BA, BSc, BCom)
- Post‑Graduation First Year (MA, MSc, MCom)
- B.Ed First Year
- She must be a regular student. Part‑time, distance, or correspondence course students are not eligible.
- She must be unmarried – EXCEPT for students enrolled in Post‑Graduation and B.Ed courses. Married girls in PG and B.Ed can apply.
- She must maintain regular attendance (at least 75% attendance in the previous year for continuing beneficiaries).
- She must maintain discipline and follow all rules of the institution. Any involvement in misconduct, ragging, cheating, or vandalism will lead to cancellation of benefits.
Exclusion Categories – Who Cannot Apply?
The following categories of students are specifically excluded. Even if they meet all other conditions, their applications will be rejected:
- Girl students enrolled in private educational institutions (self‑financed courses in government institutions are eligible only for first‑year students).
- Married girls – except those enrolled in PG or B.Ed courses.
- In‑service girls admitted to B.Ed courses on deputation.
- Daughters of Ministers, MPs, and MLAs.
- Girl students who have received a scooter under the Banikanta Kakati Award (Pragyan Bharati Scheme). However, if a student opts out of receiving the scooter, she can apply for Nijut Moina.
- Students who have dropped out of their course. The Head of the Institution must inform the authorities if a student leaves the institution.
List of Eligible Colleges (Government & Venture) – District Wise
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni scheme covers all Government and Venture (Provincialised) Degree Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools across Assam. These institutions are affiliated with various state universities such as Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University, Assam University, Bodoland University, and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC).
The official list of eligible institutions is maintained as Annexure-A and Annexure-B by the Higher Education Department.
| District | Eligible Colleges / Institutions |
|---|---|
| Baksa | Baksa Degree College |
| D.K. Degree College | |
| Goreswar College | |
| Jalah College | |
| J.D. B.Ed. College | |
| Kumarikata College | |
| Salbari Higher Secondary School | |
| Tamulpur College | |
| Barpeta | Bajali College |
| Bamagar B.Ed. College | |
| Barpeta Girls' College | |
| B.H. College, Howly | |
| Janakalyan High School | |
| Uttar Barpeta College | |
| Bongaigaon | Abhayapuri College |
| Birjhora Mahavidyalaya | |
| Bongaigaon College | |
| Milanjyoti College, Itervita | |
| Cachar | Cachar College |
| Gurucharan College | |
| Radhamadhab College, Silchar | |
| Silchar College | |
| Swami Vivekananda Junior College | |
| Charaideo | Charaideo College |
| Kakodonga College | |
| Nitaipukhuri College | |
| Chirang | Govt. Model Degree College, Chirang |
| Darrang | Darrang College, Tezpur |
| Mangaldoi College | |
| Sipajhar College | |
| Dhemaji | Dhemaji College |
| Gogamukh College | |
| Moridhal College | |
| Pachim Dhemaji College | |
| Dhubri | Bilasipara College |
| B.N. College, Dhubri | |
| Chilarai College | |
| Sapatgram College | |
| Dibrugarh | D.H.S.K. Commerce College |
| Dibrugarh Hanumanbax Surajmal Kanoi College | |
| Dibru College | |
| Digboi College | |
| Duliajan College | |
| Lahowal College | |
| Dima Hasao | Haflong Government College |
| Goalpara | Bikali College |
| Dudhnoi College | |
| Goalpara College | |
| Lakhipur College | |
| Golaghat | D.K.D. College |
| D.R. College, Golaghat | |
| Golaghat Commerce College | |
| Kamarbandha College | |
| Sri Sri Bishnupur Anchalik College | |
| Hailakandi | Hailakandi College |
| Kathira College | |
| S.C. Dey College, Kalinagar | |
| Hojai | Hojai College |
| Jorhat | Bahona College |
| C.K.B. Commerce College | |
| J.B. College | |
| Jorhat College | |
| Mariani College | |
| Kamrup | Baihata Chariali College |
| Boko College | |
| Chhamaria Anchalik College | |
| Demoria College | |
| Guwahati College | |
| R.J. Degree College | |
| Rangia College | |
| Kamrup (Metro) | Arya Vidyapeeth College |
| B. Barooah College | |
| B.Borooah College | |
| Cotton University | |
| Handique Girls' College | |
| North Gauhati College | |
| Pragjyotish College | |
| R.G. Baruah College | |
| Karbi Anglong | Diphu Government College |
| Govt. Model College, Deithor | |
| Hamren College | |
| Waisong College | |
| Karimganj | Alipurduar College |
| Karimganj College | |
| Nabinchandra College, Badarpur | |
| R.K. Nagar College | |
| Kokrajhar | Bengtol College |
| Fakilagram College | |
| Koklabari Chapaguri College | |
| Kokrajhar College | |
| Runikhata College | |
| Lakhimpur | Bihpuria College |
| Lakhimpur College | |
| North Lakhimpur College | |
| Pub Lakhimpur College | |
| Majuli | Majuli College |
| Morigaon | Jagiroad College |
| Mairabari College | |
| Morigaon College | |
| Nagaon | A.D.P. College |
| Dhing College | |
| Kaliabor College | |
| Nowgong College (Autonomous) | |
| Raha College | |
| Nalbari | Barama College |
| Kamrup College | |
| Nalbari College | |
| Tihu College | |
| Sivasagar | Amguri College |
| Gargaon College | |
| Moran College | |
| Sivasagar College | |
| Sonitpur | Biswanath College |
| Chaiduar College | |
| L.O.K.D. College, Dhekiajuli | |
| Rangapara College | |
| Tezpur College | |
| Tinsukia | Chapakhowa College |
| Digboi College | |
| Doomdooma College | |
| Makum College | |
| Tinsukia College | |
| Udalguri | Udalguri College |
| West Karbi Anglong | Hamren College |
| Rongkhang College |
Source: Directorate of Higher Education, Assam; compiled from Annexure-A/B lists and university affiliation data.
Documents Required for Nijut Moina Asoni 2026-27
The application is submitted offline through the educational institution. Students need to attach self‑attested copies of the following documents with their application form. Here is the complete checklist:
| Document Type | Specific Requirement |
|---|---|
| Assam Domicile Certificate | Proof of permanent residency in Assam. Can be a PRC (Permanent Resident Certificate). |
| Aadhaar Card | For identity verification and DBT linkage to bank account. |
| Bank Passbook | First page showing account holder's name, account number, and IFSC code. The account must be in the student's name. |
| Educational Qualification Documents | Attested copies of mark sheets and certificates from the last qualifying examination (HSLC for HS applicants, HS for UG applicants, etc.). |
| Admission Certificate | Proof of current enrolment in the institution (original or attested copy). |
| Unmarried Declaration | A self‑declaration stating that the student is unmarried (not required for PG and B.Ed applicants). |
| Income Certificate or Ration Card | Although there is no income limit, these documents are still required for verification of family details. |
| SAMARTH Number | The student's unique registration number under the SAMARTH portal of the educational institution. |
For Continuing Beneficiaries (Second Year onwards): Students who have already received the benefit in the first year do not need to submit a fresh application. However, the Head of the Institution must submit a continuity certificate on behalf of the student. This certificate must confirm that the student has maintained 75% attendance in the previous academic year and has not violated any discipline rules.
For Self‑Financed Courses in Government Institutions: Students admitted to the first year of self‑financed courses in government educational institutions are eligible for the scheme. All other conditions (attendance, discipline, etc.) apply as usual. No arrears will be paid for previous years.
How to Apply for Nijut Moina Asoni – Step by Step
The application process for the Nijut Moina Asoni is offline. Students cannot apply directly on a public website. The process runs through the educational institution where the student is enrolled. Here is the complete step‑by‑step procedure for the 2026‑27 session:
- Obtain the Application Form: The student must collect the prescribed application form from her educational institution. The institution's Nodal Teacher (appointed specifically for this scheme) will be responsible for distributing the forms.
- Fill the Form Carefully: The student must fill in all details correctly – name, address, course, year of admission, bank account details, Aadhaar number, and SAMARTH number. Any mistake in the bank account details will lead to payment failure.
- Attach Required Documents: Self‑attested photocopies of all the documents listed above must be attached to the application form. The student should keep the original documents safe for verification.
- Submit to the Institution: The completed application form, along with the documents, must be submitted to the Nodal Teacher or the Principal's office of the institution. The student must ensure that she receives an acknowledgment or a receipt for submission.
- Institution‑Level Verification: The Head of the Institution (Principal/Registrar) will verify the details. They will check the student's enrolment status, attendance, and documents. Any incomplete or incorrect application will be rejected at this stage.
- Online Upload by Institution: After verification, the institution will upload the verified data through the official portal. This step is done by the institution, not by the student. The data is then auto‑verified by the system.
- Approval and DBT Transfer: Once the Higher Education Department approves the application, the monthly financial assistance is credited directly to the student's bank account through DBT. The amount is usually credited around the 10th of every month.
Important Note: The guardians of the students have the option to refuse the application. The government has clearly stated that some guardians may not want their daughters to apply for financial assistance. In such cases, the application will not be submitted.
Attendance Rules – 75% Mandatory
One of the most important conditions for continuing to receive the benefit is regular attendance. The government has made it very clear that the scheme is not a free handout. It is meant to encourage actual study and regular participation in academic activities.
For existing beneficiaries (students who received the benefit in the first year and are now applying for continuation in the second year), the Head of the Institution must certify that the student has maintained at least 75% attendance in the previous academic year. If the attendance falls below 75%, the benefit will be stopped immediately.
For new applicants, there is no attendance requirement in the first year because the application is submitted at the beginning of the academic session. However, they are expected to maintain regular attendance from the start. The institution will monitor this.
Discipline Rules – What Can Get Benefits Cancelled?
The official government order lists specific misconducts that will lead to cancellation of benefits under the Nijut Moina scheme:
- Engaging in disruptive behaviour
- Cheating in examinations
- Ragging of junior students
- Vandalism or damage to institution property
- Any form of misconduct that violates the rules of the institution
The Head of the Institution is responsible for reporting any such violation to the Higher Education Department. Once reported, the benefit is withdrawn immediately. There is no provision for reinstatement in the same academic year.
Nijut Babu Asoni – The Companion Scheme for Boys
In January 2026, the Assam government launched the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Asoni for male students. This was in response to a growing demand for gender-balanced support. The Babu scheme started from 1st February 2026. However, there are important differences between the two schemes.
Under the Babu scheme:
- Only boys from families with annual income below ₹4 lakh are eligible (Nijut Moina has no income limit).
- First‑year UG students receive ₹1,000 per month.
- First‑year PG students receive ₹2,000 per month.
- The scheme covers 47,428 boys as per the 2026-27 budget.
For Nijut Moina, the government has allocated approximately ₹260 crore annually and is covering over 5.5 lakh girl students as of the 2025-26 academic year.
Non‑Payment Periods – When Will You NOT Receive Money?
Beneficiaries should be aware that payments are not made throughout the year. The scheme has specific non‑payment periods:
- June and July every year: The scheme is not effective during these months. This coincides with the summer vacation period.
- During any vacation that extends for more than one month: If the institution declares a long break, payments stop for that period.
- If the student drops out or is expelled: Payments stop immediately from the month following the dropout.
Scheme Impact – What the Government Claims
In the interim budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, the government provided data on the scheme's impact. Between the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25:
- Dropout rates among girl students reduced by 8.2 per cent.
- Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls increased by 4.2 per cent at the secondary level.
- GER for girls increased by 7.5 per cent at the senior secondary level.
The Chief Minister has stated that the scheme has been successful and will be expanded in the coming years. The government's target of covering 10 lakh girl students is expected to be achieved by the 2027-28 academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Nijut Moina Asoni scheme?
Nijut Moina Asoni is a flagship scheme of the Assam government launched in August 2024. It provides monthly financial assistance to girl students enrolled in Higher Secondary, Graduation, Post‑Graduation, and B.Ed courses in government and venture institutions. The aim is to reduce dropout rates and prevent child marriage.
How much money do girl students get under this scheme?
Higher Secondary students receive ₹1,000 per month (₹10,000 annually). Graduation students receive ₹1,250 per month (₹12,500 annually). Post‑Graduation and B.Ed students receive ₹2,500 per month (₹25,000 annually). Payments are made for up to 10 months in an academic year, excluding June and July.
Are married girls eligible for Nijut Moina Asoni?
Married girls are generally not eligible. However, an exception is made for students enrolled in Post‑Graduation (MA, MSc, MCom) and B.Ed courses. Married girls in PG and B.Ed can apply for the scheme.
Can students from private colleges apply?
No. Only students enrolled in government and venture (provincialised) educational institutions are eligible. Private colleges and universities are excluded. Self‑financed courses in government institutions are eligible only for first‑year students.
Is there any income limit for Nijut Moina Asoni?
No. Unlike the Babu scheme for boys (which has a ₹4 lakh income limit), the Nijut Moina scheme for girls has no income ceiling. Girl students from families of any economic background can apply.
What is the attendance requirement for this scheme?
For existing beneficiaries continuing into the second year, a minimum of 75% attendance in the previous academic year is required. The Head of the Institution must certify this. New applicants have no attendance requirement in their first year.
How can I apply for the Nijut Moina Asoni?
The application process is offline. Students must collect the application form from their educational institution, fill it, attach the required documents, and submit it to the Nodal Teacher or Principal's office. The institution then verifies and uploads the data online.
Can daughters of government employees apply?
Yes, as long as they meet all other eligibility conditions. The only political exclusions are daughters of Ministers, MPs, and MLAs. There is no general exclusion for daughters of ordinary government employees.
What happens if a student receives a scooter under the Banikanta Kakati Award?
Such students are not eligible for Nijut Moina. However, if the student formally opts out of receiving the scooter, she can then apply for the monthly financial assistance under this scheme.
During which months are payments not made?
Payments are not made during June and July every year (summer vacation period). Also, no payments are made during any vacation that extends for more than one month. For the 2025-26 session, benefits were provided for only 9 months.
Is the scheme available for second-year students?
Currently, the scheme covers only first-year students (HS 1st year, UG 1st year, PG 1st year). The government plans to cover final-year UG students from the next academic year to ensure 100% coverage of girl students.
Is the Mobility Grant Scheme still available?
No. The Mobility Grant Scheme for Post-Graduate students has been merged with the Nijut Moina Scheme. No separate mobility grant will be provided. All PG students now receive their benefits under this scheme.
Important Links and Contact Information
- Official Website – Directorate of Higher Education, Assam: highereducation.assam.gov.in
- CM Assam Official Portal: cm.assam.gov.in
- For Application Forms and Queries: Contact the Nodal Teacher or Principal's office at your respective educational institution.
