Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched the second phase of the flagship girl student scholarship scheme, ‘Nijut Moina 2.0’, aimed at empowering young women through education and eliminating child marriage in the state.
Speaking at the state-wide launch event at Birinchi Kumar Barua Auditorium, Gauhati University, Chief Minister Sarma reiterated the government’s commitment to ending child marriage by 2026.
“With the launch of Nijut Moina 2.0, four lakh girl students will be able to protect themselves from the scourge of child marriage while pursuing their academic dreams,” said the Chief Minister.
Sarma said that over 12,000 individuals involved in child marriage have been arrested so far by Assam Police, with several convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, adding “the process will continue.”
Under Nijut Moina 2.0, monthly financial assistance will be provided to girl students as follows:
- Rs 1,000 for Higher Secondary (HS) students
- Rs 1,250 for Undergraduate (UG) students
- Rs 2,500 for Postgraduate (PG) and B.Ed students
The scheme now includes first and second-year students of HS, UG, and PG, with plans to cover final-year students in the coming year, thereby achieving 100 per cent coverage. The total number of beneficiaries is expected to grow to 10 lakh girl students.
The Chief Minister noted that while Nijut Moina 1.0 covered only state universities and provincial colleges, Central universities such as Tezpur University and Assam University will now also be included. Additionally, students pursuing self-financing courses will benefit from the scheme.
Calling the scheme a “source of hope,” Sarma said Nijut Moina was designed to support parents facing financial constraints in educating their daughters.
He emphasised that the initiative, along with schemes like Orunodoi, is inclusive, benefiting students across castes, tribes, and religions.
“Our aim is to open doors of opportunity and create a future of self-reliance and aspiration,” he said.
Highlighting Assam’s progress in higher education, Sarma said the state now has 25 medical colleges, over 25 universities, and nearly 400 colleges.
Institutions such as IIT, AIIMS, IIIT, National Forensic Sciences University, Sainik Schools, and Adarsha Vidyalayas are reshaping the academic ecosystem.
He also announced the upcoming Swahid Kanaklata Baruah University as a significant addition to the state’s educational infrastructure.
“With a strong network of universities and colleges relative to our population, Assam today stands among the top 10 states in the country in terms of educational access. It’s time our youth—especially our girls—step forward and shape a new, empowered Assam,” the Chief Minister concluded.