The Assam government has expanded its fee waiver scheme for college admissions. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced on July 1 that the eligibility criteria for free admissions had been revised this year. Previously, students from families with an annual parental income of up to Rs 2 lakh were eligible. This limit has now been raised to Rs 4 lakh.
Pegu shared this update on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that 71% of the 1.66 lakh students enrolling in colleges across the state have benefited from the scheme. As of yesterday evening, 1,18,199 students out of 1,66,123 had secured free admission. Additionally, colleges are now accepting ration cards as proof of family earnings, replacing the need for income certificates.
The admission fees are determined by colleges and universities, with the State Fee Regulation Committee setting the upper limit. Pegu addressed concerns about rising admission fees, assuring that the state government does not charge any fees from college students. Instead, it offers a fee waiver scheme for students below the poverty line (BPL).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also commented on the initiative, noting that the state had allocated Rs 103 crore to various colleges for student enrollments in the past year. This financial support underscores the government’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all students in Assam.