SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma released Rs 93.7 crore as the first instalment of post-matric scholarships for 96,812 Scheduled Tribe students for the 2025-26 academic year.
The amount, representing 40 per cent of the total scholarship outlay, will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The total estimated expenditure under the Umbrella Post-Matric Scholarship scheme for ST students is Rs 198.42 crore. The Centre has contributed Rs 84.55 crore, while the state government has sanctioned Rs 9.4 crore as its 10 per cent share.
Addressing students at Shillong College, Sangma said the scholarship would help cover tuition fees, hostel costs, books and other educational expenses.
The release was delayed following the Centre’s introduction of the Single Nodal Agency system for real-time transfer of scholarship funds. Under the mechanism, the Reserve Bank of India transfers funds directly to beneficiaries after the state completes verification and other formalities.
Sangma said students should receive the funds within four to five working days. He directed the Education Department to monitor failed transactions caused by incorrect bank details, Aadhaar-seeding issues and other mismatches to ensure eligible students were not excluded.
The Chief Minister said the scholarship release was part of efforts to address longstanding issues in Meghalaya’s education sector and urged students to focus on finding solutions as technology reshapes jobs and skills.
The National Scholarship Portal for the 2026-27 academic year opened on July 3 and will remain open until November 30 for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for ST students.
Sangma said officials had been directed to begin verification and sanctioning early to prevent delays in scholarship disbursement.
