To encourage girl education and preventing child marriage, the Government of Assam had launched Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina 2.0 scheme. On October 27, the State Government organized a centrally-held cheque distribution ceremony of the scheme’s second phase.
Speaking at the event held at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the media that, for the financial year 2025–26, the Nijut Moina Scheme will cover 3.5 lakh girl students, “We have also extended the scheme’s benefits to girls pursuing studies in Polytechnic, Degree (5th Semester/3rd Year) and ITI institutions. This will increase the total number of beneficiaries by nearly 1 lakh.”
Highlighting the crucial role of the initiative in curbing child marriage, the Chief Minister said, “In districts like Dhubri, Mankachar, Nagaon, Morigaon, Darrang, and Barpeta, the incidence of child marriage had once been as high as 60–75%. That is why we had pledged to free Assam’s girls from this social evil. Under the Child Marriage Prevention Drive, we even arrested those involved in such practices.”
He further mentioned that the Government became aware through various channels that many parents were compelled to marry off their daughters at a young age due to financial hardship, “Therefore, our Government took the responsibility of supporting girls’ higher education and that is how the Nijut Moina Scheme was conceived.”
According to the Chief Minister in 2024–25, ₹133 cr was released under the scheme for 1.6 lakh girl students. The Government has set a target of bringing 10 lakh girl students under its ambit. Since its inception, the scheme has not only increased school enrolment rates but also ensured that no girl student dropped out midway during the existing academic year.
Under the Nijut Moina Scheme, eligible girl students of Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and B.Ed. courses receive the following direct financial assistance (DBT) — ₹1,000 per month to Higher Secondary students, ₹1,250 to Undergraduate students and ₹2,500 to Postgraduate & B.Ed. students.
