Meghalaya releases ₹130 crore scholarship installment for nearly 70,000 students

A large round of scholarship funding has been pushed out to students in Meghalaya, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma authorizing the final installment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship for 2024–25.

The release amounts to ₹130 crore and will support close to 70,000 students across the state.

The announcement was made at a gathering in Tura’s district auditorium, where Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui and senior officials from the education department and district administration were present.

Sangma explained that the state government was moving ahead with the full disbursement on its own because the central allocation had not yet arrived.

He said the administration chose to act early so that students would not continue waiting for the financial aid they depend on.

According to him, earlier regulations had restricted the advanced release of scholarships, but a new arrangement with the Centre now makes quicker payouts possible.

The ₹130 crore will be routed through Meghalaya Rural Bank. After standard account checks are completed, the money will begin reaching eligible students.

Sangma asked beneficiaries to confirm that their bank accounts are Aadhaar-linked to prevent delays.

The CM said that education continues to be a central priority for his government and added that the long-discussed issues involving ad hoc and SSA teachers were nearing finalization, with implementation expected in the next financial year.

More than 7,000 students attended the event virtually, with participation from around 200 locations.

He also outlined the state’s larger youth development goals, pointing to programs such as CM Elevate, YESS Meghalaya, PRIME, MGMP, STAR, and Hello Meghalaya.

Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship and skill development, he said the government has charted its growth roadmap up to 2047.

"You will be in the driver's seat to take us into that phase of 2047 where Meghalaya should become one of the best states in the country," he said.

Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui described the occasion as a “red-letter day” for students, highlighting that the move underscores the government’s efforts to expand opportunities in higher education.