In a significant pre-election move, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled a series of new beneficiary schemes and entitlements on New Year's Day. The announcements, strategically timed ahead of the upcoming state legislative assembly elections, include a substantial one-time Bihu gift for millions of women and a new monthly financial assistance scheme for male students.
Cash Support for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students
Addressing the demand for parity with a scheme for female students, Chief Minister Sarma announced the launch of the 'Babu Asoni' scheme from February 1, 2026. This initiative is designed to provide direct financial support to male students pursuing higher education.
Under this new scheme, eligible postgraduate students will receive Rs 2,000 per month, while eligible undergraduate students will get Rs 1,000 per month. The assistance will be subject to an annual household income cap of Rs 4 lakh. This move follows the state's Nijut Moina scheme, launched in 2024, which provides monthly aid to girl students from higher secondary to postgraduate levels to combat child marriage.
Rs 8,000 Bihu Advance for Orunodoi Beneficiaries
In a major sop for its flagship welfare program's beneficiaries, the government announced a special 'Bihu gift' of Rs 8,000 for approximately 37 lakh women enrolled under the Orunodoi scheme. Chief Minister Sarma explained that to avoid disputes over cash distribution during the election period, the regular monthly payment of Rs 1,250 under Orunodoi would be paused starting January.
Instead, on February 20, every beneficiary will receive an advance lump sum of Rs 8,000 as a Bohag Bihu gift. "With this, they will be able to celebrate Bihu nicely," Sarma stated during his annual New Year press interaction in Guwahati on Thursday. The Orunodoi scheme, started in 2020, provides direct benefit transfers primarily to women.
Expanded Subsidised Rations and Other Recent Schemes
Further extending the welfare net, the Chief Minister declared that from January 2026, each of the over 2.44 crore ration card holders in Assam would be eligible to buy one kilogram each of masoor dal, sugar, and salt at a combined cost of Rs 100. This is a reduction from the subsidised rate of Rs 117 launched for these items in November 2025.
These New Year announcements are the latest in a string of beneficiary-oriented initiatives rolled out by the Assam government in recent years. Other notable schemes include:
- Mukhya Mantri Udyamita Abhiyaan: Provides seed capital of up to Rs 85,000 over three years to women in self-help groups for entrepreneurship.
- Jibon Prerona scheme: From October, offers Rs 2,500 per month for one year to fresh graduates from government universities and colleges in Assam.
- Research grant: A one-time grant of Rs 25,000 for research scholars at state and central government universities.
- Tea garden workers' aid: A one-time financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to each of the 6.8 lakh casual and permanent tea garden workers in the state.
The schedule for the Assam legislative assembly elections is expected to be announced by the end of February or early March 2026, setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest where these populist measures are likely to be a central talking point.
