Assam: Assam has introduced a monthly stipend scheme for Class 10 students preparing for their board examinations. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the initiative, called the Prerona scheme, which aims to support students during the exam period without linking the benefit to income criteria.
The government will transfer Rs 300 per month to each eligible student until the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and CBSE Class 10 examinations conclude. According to officials, the amount for November has already been disbursed, aligning the rollout with the exam timeline expected to peak in February.
The scheme applies to students appearing under the Assam State School Education Board and those studying in CBSE-affiliated Adarsha Vidyalayas, provided they are residents of Assam. Government estimates indicate that around 4.4 lakh students will receive the stipend during the exam season.
Officials said the decision was driven by concerns over students’ access to basic needs such as nutrition, stationery, and other academic essentials, which often influence performance and attendance during the board exam phase. The initiative seeks to ease these constraints and reduce stress levels among students, particularly in rural and economically vulnerable segments.
Education department representatives noted that the measure is also intended to counter dropout tendencies among adolescents who struggle with financial pressures in the months leading up to the final exam cycle. The state expects the scheme to help maintain exam preparedness and stabilise participation rates across government and provincialised schools.
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