The Assam government will roll out ‘Babu Asoni’, a new direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme aimed at supporting boy students pursuing higher education, from February 1. The announcement was made on January 1 by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the first day of the New Year.
Under the scheme, eligible male students enrolled in Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes will receive monthly financial assistance to help meet education-related expenses.
Assam will launch the ‘Babu Asoni’ scheme from February 1 to provide monthly financial aid to boy students pursuing higher education. Bachelor’s students will receive ₹1,000 per month, while Master’s students will get ₹2,000. Students whose parents are government employees or earn over ₹4 lakh annually are not eligible.
Financial assistance details
As announced by the Chief Minister, the scheme provides:
- ₹1,000 per month for students pursuing Bachelor’s degrees
- ₹2,000 per month for students pursuing Master’s degrees
The assistance will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts under the DBT mechanism.
Eligibility and exclusions
The government has specified income-based and employment-related exclusions to ensure targeted support. Boy students will not be eligible if:
- Either parent is a government employee, or
- The annual family income exceeds ₹4 lakh
Officials said these criteria are intended to prioritise students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Focus on higher education support
‘Babu Asoni’ is positioned as a student welfare initiative to reduce financial pressure on families and encourage continuation in higher education across Assam. The scheme complements existing education-focused programmes announced by the state in recent years.
Authorities are expected to release detailed guidelines covering application procedures, documentation requirements, and verification timelines ahead of the February 1 rollout.
What happens next
The Higher Education Department is likely to issue a formal notification and operational instructions before the scheme comes into effect. Colleges and universities will be asked to inform eligible students and assist with onboarding to ensure smooth implementation from the launch date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The scheme will begin on February 1.
Boy students pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees are eligible, except those whose parents are government employees or whose family income exceeds ₹4 lakh annually.
