Shillong, Aug 27 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday released the first instalment of the Umbrella Post‑Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for the 2025‑26 academic year, benefiting 96,812 students across the state.
The first instalment, amounting to Rs 93.698 crore, was released through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at a programme held at Shillong College in the presence of Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. Of the 96,812 applications verified for the current academic year, the total scholarship requirement has been estimated at Rs 198.42 crore. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs conveyed a Central share of Rs 84.55 crore, while the Meghalaya government sanctioned Rs 9.40 crore as its 10 per cent contribution.
Sangma said the scholarship was not merely financial assistance but a way to ensure students could continue their education without additional pressure on their families.
He added that the assistance would help students meet expenses such as tuition fees, hostel charges, books and study materials.
Explaining the delay in the scholarship release, Sangma said the Centre’s funds had arrived late in previous years. Last year, the state government advanced the scholarship amount from its own resources before Christmas and subsequently adjusted it against Central funds.
This year, the Union Finance Ministry introduced the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) system for real‑time fund transfers. Under the new mechanism, funds are transferred directly from the Reserve Bank of India to beneficiaries after verification and documentation. Sangma said the state had pushed for the immediate release of the first 40 per cent instalment.
Under the new system, the RBI will process individual transfers to all 96,812 beneficiaries. Officials expect the process to take four to five working days, and the RBI has assured completion within five working days.
The Chief Minister urged students not to panic if the money or SMS notification did not arrive immediately, particularly with public holidays and the weekend intervening.
He directed the Education Department to continuously monitor failed transactions arising from incorrect bank details, Aadhaar‑seeding problems or data mismatches and reprocess them until every eligible student receives the scholarship.
Sangma further announced that the National Scholarship Portal for 2026‑27 scholarships opened on July 3 and will remain open until November 30, urging students to apply early.
–IANS
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