Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The state government has decided to continue its fee waiver scheme for students taking admission in higher education courses for the academic session 2025-26. The fee waiver scheme is applicable in the case of admission fees, tuition fees, etc.
This was revealed in an office memorandum (O.M.) issued by the Higher Education Department for students taking admission into Higher Secondary (H.S.)/Degree and M.A./M.Sc./M. Com courses.
According to the O.M., students whose parental annual income is less than Rs. 4.00 lakh per annum from all sources shall be eligible for the scheme, along with regular students having a minimum of 75% attendance in classes in the previous year/semester with no back paper in the previous examination, who will be eligible for the Fee Waiver claim in the subsequent year/semesters of study.
The scheme will, however, not be applicable for students if either of their parents (mother or father) is working in the State Govt./Central Govt./Semi Govt./State or Central Govt. undertakings. A declaration to that effect is required from the students. If such a declaration is found to be false, the admission shall be cancelled and the admission fee shall be realised from such students.
To avail the fee waiver, students have to provide proof of income, like an income certificate from the local revenue circle officer and ration card issued by the competent authority. Either of the income certificates so submitted by the candidate will have to be verified by the competent authority within one year, and action as per law will be taken against anyone where submission of a false certificate is established.
The college or university authority may grant admission to the students without examining the original marks sheet. However, once admitted, the students must produce their original marksheet; otherwise, the admission will be cancelled. The universities and colleges giving free admission under this scheme are required to give one endorsement on the reverse of the relevant mark sheet of the student so that the student does not seek free admission in multiple colleges.
The scheme is applicable in institutes including all state universities, govt. colleges, govt. model colleges, govt. model women colleges, PDUAM, and provincialised colleges of Assam. This scheme will not cover private colleges, private universities and central universities situated in Assam.
The admission committees of the concerned colleges and universities will have the power to enquire into the income of the family in case of doubt in regard to students. Such an enquiry may commence suo motu by the institute or on a complaint received against any student availing benefit under this scheme.
All colleges and universities will be required to upload the names of students admitted availing the fee waiver benefit in the SAMARTH portal. The Director of Higher Education can make a random check of the income certificate uploaded in the portal or in hard copy, and disciplinary action may be taken against the student/official or principal concerned.
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