Guwahati, June 19 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday said that more than 1.85 lakh undergraduate students across the state have benefited from the government’s free admission initiative this academic year, describing the achievement as a reflection of the expanding reach of welfare schemes aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to higher education.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister stated that admission fees for 1,85,796 undergraduate students had been paid under the state government’s flagship education support programme so far this year.

“Zero admission fees paid by over 1.85 lakh UG students in Assam this year, till now. It’s not a mere statistic but a barometer of how wide the coverage of our welfare schemes are and how it is transforming the foundations of our society by ensuring seamless continuity in education,” Sarma said.

The scheme, launched by the Assam government to reduce the financial burden on students and their families, covers admission fees for eligible learners seeking admission to undergraduate courses in government and provincial institutions across the state.

Officials said the initiative has played a crucial role in encouraging students from Economically Weaker Sections to pursue higher education without worrying about upfront admission costs.

The programme is also aimed at reducing dropout rates and improving enrolment in colleges, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

Education sector experts have often highlighted that financial constraints remain one of the key reasons for students discontinuing studies after completing school education.

By eliminating admission fees, the government hopes to improve access to quality higher education and create greater opportunities for the youth.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly stressed that investment in education forms a critical component of Assam’s long-term development strategy.

The state government, has in recent years, introduced several measures, including scholarships, fee waivers and infrastructure development in educational institutions, to strengthen the higher education ecosystem.

With the latest figure crossing 1.85 lakh beneficiaries, the government sees the programme as a significant step towards making higher education more inclusive and accessible for students across Assam.

–IANS

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