GUWAHATI: Assam Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, in a move aimed at easing the admission process for economically disadvantaged students, has clarified that ration cards will now be accepted as valid proof of income for availing free admission in government and Provincialised educational institutions across the state.
The announcement, made through a social media post, also states that income certificates issued by a competent authority will continue to be valid and can be used interchangeably with ration cards. The clarification comes at a crucial time, as students and parents gear up for the new academic session and seek relief under the state government’s fee waiver scheme.
This step is expected to streamline the documentation process and ensure that no eligible student is left behind due to a lack of formal income certification. The move has been widely welcomed as a practical solution to a persistent barrier faced by many BPL (below poverty line) families.
Earlier this year, the Assam government raised the annual income eligibility cap for the free admission scheme from ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh, expanding the reach of the initiative.
According to official figures shared by Dr. Pegu, over 71% of the 1.66 lakh students who took admissions in various colleges across the state in 2024 have benefited from the scheme. Out of the total 1,66,123 students, a significant 1,18,199 availed free admission under the updated guidelines.
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