Guwahati: The Assam government has strengthened its push for youth empowerment and academic advancement with the successful rollout of financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s ‘Jibon Prerana’ and ‘Jibon Anuprerana’ schemes.
Implemented by the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department (SEED), the two flagship initiatives are designed to support fresh graduates and research scholars as they transition from education to employment and from research to innovation.
Under the Jibon Prerana scheme, 48,319 graduates from public institutions across the state have received financial support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and timely disbursement.
Each beneficiary is entitled to Rs 2,500 per month for a period of 12 months, aimed at easing the shift from academic life to professional careers or entrepreneurial ventures. Beyond monetary assistance, the scheme seeks to encourage young people to enhance their skills, pursue higher studies and develop an entrepreneurial outlook.
Similarly, the Jibon Anuprerana scheme has extended financial assistance to 2,112 research scholars, including 13 Divyang (differently-abled) candidates. Applications were processed through the Digital DIDS Portal to maintain efficiency and accountability.
Eligible full-time PhD scholars enrolled on or after April 1, 2021, in state or central universities in Assam received a one-time grant of Rs 25,000, while differently-abled scholars were provided Rs 40,000.
The Jibon Anuprerana initiative recognises the commitment of young researchers and aims to motivate them to pursue advanced research, innovation and new discoveries, while offering crucial financial backing.
Alongside these measures, the state government is also investing in the modernisation of technical education infrastructure. A Memorandum of Agreement signed on May 11, 2022, with Tata Technologies Limited paved the way for the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in 43 government ITIs and 34 polytechnics. The initiative seeks to upgrade workshops and introduce Industry 4.0-aligned programmes.
Centres of Excellence in three ITIs and three polytechnics have been operational since 2024.
On February 26, the Chief Minister will inaugurate 31 additional CoEs across 17 ITIs and 14 polytechnics. Another 24 CoEs — covering 19 ITIs and five polytechnics — are expected to be completed by June 2026.
In the second phase, construction of CoEs in four ITIs and 12 polytechnics will begin shortly. Site surveys have been completed, and architectural planning is underway in coordination with the Public Works Department, Tata Technologies Limited and Tata Steel Limited.
Together, these initiatives reflect the Assam government’s commitment to comprehensive youth development and its broader vision of building an educated, skilled and innovation-driven state.
Implemented by the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training under SEED, the programmes underscore the government’s focus on promoting skill development, entrepreneurship and research-led growth across Assam.
