Meghalaya Allocates ₹6.17 Crore in Tribal Student Scholarships; Additional Funds Pending

The Meghalaya government has recently sanctioned ₹6.17 crore to support 10,346 Scheduled Tribe (ST) students under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme for the 2024–25 academic session. This step is part of the state’s ongoing commitment to promote higher education among tribal students, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent eligible candidates from pursuing professional, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes. The sanction represents the second installment of funds released under the Centre’s Umbrella Scholarship initiative, which aims to provide financial support to students across India and facilitate access to advanced education for those belonging to marginalized communities.

The Post-Matric Scholarship scheme plays a vital role in bridging the education gap for tribal students. By covering tuition fees, maintenance allowances, and other academic expenses, the scheme enables students to focus on their studies without being burdened by financial challenges. The scheme is especially crucial for professional and higher education programmes, which often involve significant expenses for tuition, research, and study materials. With the release of the second installment, a substantial number of students will be able to continue their academic pursuits without disruption.

However, the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education in Meghalaya has highlighted that the total requirement to extend the scholarship to all eligible students stands at ₹102.4 crore. There are currently 60,226 students who qualify for the scheme, indicating a significant gap between the total need and the funds currently available. One of the primary reasons for the limited disbursement has been delays in Aadhaar and bank account linkage, which are essential for the direct transfer of funds to students’ accounts. These administrative and technical delays have restricted the current disbursement to only a fraction of the eligible students, leaving a considerable number of applicants waiting for support.

The Centre has been releasing scholarship funds in phases as part of its phased funding model under the Umbrella Scholarship initiative. The phased release is intended to ensure proper monitoring and accountability while providing timely support to students. The Meghalaya state government, under the direction of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has committed to releasing its share of the funding in alignment with the Centre’s schedule. This coordination between the state and central authorities is aimed at ensuring that all beneficiaries receive the financial assistance they are entitled to and that no eligible student is left out due to administrative delays.

Officials have confirmed that the pending scholarships, which could not be released in the current installment, will be distributed in the latter half of the 2025–26 financial year. This measure demonstrates the state’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the scheme and ensuring continuity in financial support for tribal students. By planning the release of pending funds in the next fiscal period, the government seeks to cover all eligible applicants comprehensively, mitigating the impact of earlier delays.

In summary, Meghalaya’s allocation of ₹6.17 crore under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme reflects the state government’s ongoing effort to promote education among tribal students and reduce barriers to higher learning. While administrative delays have limited disbursement to a portion of the students, the combined efforts of the state and central governments aim to ensure that all eligible students receive the support they need. The phased funding, coupled with a clear commitment to distribute pending scholarships in the upcoming fiscal year, underscores the importance of systematic financial assistance in enabling tribal students to pursue professional, postgraduate, and doctoral studies, ultimately contributing to educational equity and social empowerment.