Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said around 95,000 poor students from deprived sections have been offered free admission from Class 11 to post-graduation in colleges and universities in Assam.
As part of the 'Pragyan Bharti Scheme', Sarma distributed Rs 68.44 crore among 349 colleges and universities to provide free admissions to higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Arts, Science and Commerce streams.
"Today, nearly one lakh students have paved the way for free education. The scheme aims to promote higher education and promote inclusivity by empowering students from deprived sections," he said at an official function here.
He said, in the first phase of the 2024-25 academic year, Rs 68.44 crore has been distributed, benefiting 94,838 students from poor and middle-class families in 349 colleges and universities.
Sarma said the first phase of entry fees was paid on Wednesday, with subsequent payments to be made in the coming months after document verification.
"The next round of spot admission and fee waiver for third and fifth semesters for CUET and non-CUET candidates will be given in September," he said.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu had last week said that earlier, students with annual annual income up to Rs 2 lakh were eligible for free admission, but from this year the limit has been increased to Rs 4 lakh.
Pegu said colleges now allow ration cards as proof of family income instead of the income certificate earlier.
Officials said that since the launch of the scheme, a cumulative amount of Rs 826.36 crore has been paid to a total of 22,30,257 students till the last academic year.
As part of the 'Pragyan Bharti Scheme', Sarma distributed Rs 68.44 crore among 349 colleges and universities to provide free admissions to higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Arts, Science and Commerce streams.
"Today, nearly one lakh students have paved the way for free education. The scheme aims to promote higher education and promote inclusivity by empowering students from deprived sections," he said at an official function here.
He said, in the first phase of the 2024-25 academic year, Rs 68.44 crore has been distributed, benefiting 94,838 students from poor and middle-class families in 349 colleges and universities.
Sarma said the first phase of entry fees was paid on Wednesday, with subsequent payments to be made in the coming months after document verification.
"The next round of spot admission and fee waiver for third and fifth semesters for CUET and non-CUET candidates will be given in September," he said.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu had last week said that earlier, students with annual annual income up to Rs 2 lakh were eligible for free admission, but from this year the limit has been increased to Rs 4 lakh.
Pegu said colleges now allow ration cards as proof of family income instead of the income certificate earlier.
Officials said that since the launch of the scheme, a cumulative amount of Rs 826.36 crore has been paid to a total of 22,30,257 students till the last academic year.
