Shillong, August 27: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the release of the first installment of the Umbrella Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for the academic year 2025-26. This initiative will benefit a total of 96,812 students across the state.
During an event held at Shillong College, attended by Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, the first installment of ₹93.698 crore was disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The total scholarship requirement for the current academic year is estimated at ₹198.42 crore, based on 96,812 verified applications. The Central Tribal Ministry contributed ₹84.55 crore, while the Meghalaya government approved ₹9.40 crore as its 10% share.
Sangma emphasized that the scholarship is not merely financial assistance but a means to ensure that students can continue their education without placing additional burdens on their families. He noted that this support will help cover expenses such as tuition fees, hostel charges, books, and study materials.
Addressing the delays in scholarship disbursement in previous years, Sangma explained that funds from the central government were often received late. Last year, the state government proactively provided scholarship amounts from its own resources before Christmas, later adjusting it with the central funds.
This year, the Central Finance Ministry introduced a Single Nodal Agency (SNA) system for real-time fund transfers. Under this new arrangement, funds will be transferred directly to beneficiaries from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after verification and documentation. Sangma mentioned that the state government had pressed for the immediate release of the first 40% installment.
Under the new system, the RBI will transfer funds individually to all 96,812 beneficiaries. Officials estimate this process will take four to five working days, with the RBI assuring completion within five days.
The Chief Minister urged students not to panic if they do not receive the funds or SMS notifications immediately, especially due to public holidays and weekends. He directed the education department to monitor transactions that fail due to incorrect bank details, Aadhaar seeding issues, or data discrepancies, ensuring that each eligible student receives their scholarship.
Sangma also announced that the National Scholarship Portal for 2026-27 opened on July 3 and will remain accessible until November 30, encouraging students to apply as soon as possible.
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