Assam Education Schemes
Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme (ARBAS)
Launching date/time of Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme (ARBAS)
Launched in 2005 by the Government of Assam to honor Late Anundoram Borooah, the first Assamese to join the Indian Civil Service.
Objective of Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme
Motivate and inspire students for better academic performance.
Promote healthy competition among students at the secondary level.
Encourage IT literacy and provide first-hand experience with Information and Communication Technology.
Support higher education by rewarding meritorious students.
Features of Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme
- Award: Eligible students receive either a laptop or a cash award (recently, ₹15,000).
Eligibility: Students must secure Star Marks or at least 75% in the HSLC (10th standard) or High Madrassa examinations conducted by SEBA or equivalent boards in Assam.
Additional Benefits (earlier years): Laptops came with 2 years of internet connectivity, digital content, and NCERT books in PDF format.
Application Process: Online application through the official ARBAS portal; selection is based on exam results and verification.
Implementing Agency: Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON) under the guidance of the Secondary Education Department.
Beneficiaries of Anundoram Borooah Laptop Award Scheme
Students of Assam who pass the HSLC or High Madrassa exams with Star Marks (typically 75% or above).
Boards covered: SEBA, State Madrassa Education Board, and Sanskrit Board Assam.
All eligible students in a given year receive the award; in recent years, tens of thousands of students have benefited annually
Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme
Launching date/time of Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme
Launched on 26 December 2019.
Objective of Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme
To encourage students to pursue higher education by providing financial relief through a one-time subsidy on education loans.
To reduce the financial burden on families and help students continue their studies without interruption due to loan repayment pressures.
Features of Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme
One-time subsidy of ₹50,000 on education loans sanctioned for higher education.
Applicable to loans availed from any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank recognized by RBI within Assam, including banks like HDFC, Federal Bank, and Assam Gramin Vikash Bank.
Eligibility requires the student to have repaid at least 25% of the sanctioned loan amount before applying for the subsidy.
Minimum loan amount: The education loan must be at least ₹1,00,000.
Application process: Both online and offline modes are available. Applicants must provide proof of loan, address, PAN, and other supporting documents.
Subsidy is credited directly to the loan account to reduce the outstanding principal.
Loans sanctioned between 01/04/2020 and 31/03/2024 are eligible for the current phase of the scheme.
Beneficiaries of Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme
Permanent residents of Assam who have availed education loans from eligible banks for higher studies.
Students who have taken education loans of ₹1 lakh or more.
The scheme is not restricted by family income, making it widely accessible to all eligible students.
Every year, up to 5,000 students are selected to receive the subsidy
Assam Fee Waiver Scheme
Launching date/time of Assam Fee Waiver Scheme
The Assam Fee Waiver Scheme for higher education continues for the academic session 2025-26. The scheme has been in operation for several years and is extended annually.
Objective of Assam Fee Waiver Scheme
The primary objective is to provide access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students in Assam by waiving admission and tuition fees, thereby reducing financial barriers to education.
Features of Assam Fee Waiver Scheme
Covers admission and tuition fees for eligible students in Higher Secondary (HS), undergraduate (BA/BSc/BCom), and postgraduate (MA/MSc/MCom) courses.
Applicable only in government and provincialized colleges and universities in Assam. Private and central universities, private colleges, and self-financing courses are excluded.
Income criteria: Parental annual income must be less than ₹4 lakh from all sources.
Attendance and academic performance: Regular students with at least 75% attendance and no back papers in the previous examination are eligible for continued benefits.
Exclusion: Students whose parents work in State/Central Government, semi-government, or government undertakings are not eligible.
Required documents: Income Certificate from local revenue authority and/or Ration Card; a declaration about parental employment status.
Verification: Institutes must verify submitted documents and upload beneficiary details on the SAMARTH portal. Mark sheets of beneficiaries are stamped to prevent multiple claims.
Renewal: Benefits continue in subsequent years if eligibility is maintained (for HS and UG: up to 2nd and 3rd year; for PG: final year).
Beneficiaries of Assam Fee Waiver Scheme
Economically weaker students (parental income below ₹4 lakh/year) seeking admission to HS, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses in eligible government and provincialized institutions in Assam.
Regular students meeting attendance and academic criteria.
Excludes students with parents employed in government or government undertakings, and those in private or self-financing institutions/courses
Silpi Sambardhana Scheme
Launching date/time of Silpi Sambardhana Scheme
The scheme was first announced in December 2019.
Implementation and beneficiary selection began from December 1, 2020.
Objective of Silpi Sambardhana Scheme
To provide financial support and recognition to artists and technicians in Assam for their contributions to the state’s art and culture.
To encourage continued creative engagement and improve the livelihood of artists and technicians facing financial hardship.
Features of Silpi Sambardhana Scheme
One-time financial grant of ₹50,000 is provided to each selected beneficiary.
The scheme aims to cover 2,000 artists and technicians across Assam.
The grant is a direct benefit, not a loan or recurring pension.
Selection is based on outstanding contribution to art, culture, and technical fields related to performance and creative arts.
The scheme is implemented by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Assam.
Special provisions exist for bed-ridden or differently-abled artists to facilitate their application process.
Beneficiaries of Silpi Sambardhana Scheme
Artists and technicians from Assam who have made significant contributions to the state’s art and cultural landscape.
Includes those involved in fields like theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and technical support for performances.
Both living artists/technicians and, in some cases, families of deceased artists are eligible for support.
The scheme targets those facing financial hardship or lacking adequate recognition