The Assam college fee waiver for 2026-27 is approved. The state Cabinet cleared Rs 108.81 crore on November 10, 2026 under the Pragyan Bharati Scheme. It gives free first-year admission to more than 1.5 lakh students.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision in Dispur on November 10, 2026. The Pragyan Bharati Scheme pays a student’s college admission fee. The state then repays the college.
What did the Assam Cabinet approve on November 10?
The waiver is not cash in hand. Students pay nothing at admission. The college claims the amount back later.
The sanction covers the 2026-27 year. It pays first-year admission in degree and master’s courses. It also covers Higher Secondary entry.
Who is eligible for the Assam college fee waiver in 2026-27?
The scheme is for students from low-income homes. For 2026-27, the family must earn below Rs 4 lakh a year. The old limit was Rs 2 lakh.
A student must show an income paper or an Assam ration card. A card from another state is not taken. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu told students without an income paper to use a family ration card.
The waiver runs in government and provincialised colleges and in state universities. Private and central ones are left out.
Mera backlog hai, kya fee waiver milega?
For 2026-27, Assam lets backlog students join the scheme. They get a 50% waiver, not a full one. The rule changed this year.
How does the Rs 108.81 crore reach a student?
The college admits the student free. It then files a claim with the Higher Education Department.
Admission runs through the Samarth portal. The college checks each claim first. A false claim means the fee is charged back.
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The waiver is also revoked if a student is caught ragging or vandalising. The 2026-27 order came from the Higher Education Department on July 4, 2026.
How does the 2026-27 waiver compare with earlier years?
The income limit has doubled. Families earning up to Rs 4 lakh now qualify. The old bar was Rs 2 lakh.
Over three years to 2024, the state released Rs 427.51 crore. In that time 10.95 lakh students gained.
In 2024-25, 57,469 students qualified.
| Detail | Earlier | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Income ceiling | Below Rs 2 lakh | Below Rs 4 lakh |
| Backlog students | Full waiver | 50% waiver |
| Students supported | 57,469 in 2024-25 | Over 1.5 lakh |
| State money released | Rs 427.51 crore over three years to 2024 | Rs 108.81 crore |
What did the Cabinet decide for Samagra Shiksha staff?
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is the national school scheme. The Cabinet raised the death ex-gratia for its staff. A family now gets Rs 7.5 lakh, up from Rs 5 lakh.
The payment is one-time. It goes to families of staff who die in service.
What else did the Cabinet approve for education?
The Cabinet backed a tie-up with For 2026-27, the family must earn below Rs 4 lakh a year. The institute will design local teaching kits for schools. The Cabinet also cleared a push for Sanskrit.
The same meeting cleared Rs 200 crore for the Ayushman Asom health scheme. That plan covers 40 lakh families in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Assam college fee waiver in 2026-27?
What is the income limit for the Assam fee waiver scheme?
Do backlog or arrear students get the Assam fee waiver?
How much did the Assam Cabinet clear for the fee waiver?
How much ex-gratia will families of Samagra Shiksha staff get?
Last verified: November 11, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Assam Higher Education Department before you act.
