Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday released the second and the final instalment of the Umbrella Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for the Academic Year 2025-26 at a programme held at St Anthony’s College in Shillong.
The PG Block Biotechnology Department and Bio-Informatics Lab, renovated amenities of the college campus & equipment procured under RUSA 2.0 and Computer Lab under Chief Minister’s Skills Mission were inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Minister, Education, Lahkhmen Rymbui, Commissioner abd Secretary, education, Vijay Mantri and other dignitaries.
Delivering his address Chief Minister Sangma said that one of the main concerns of students is related to scholarship. “Today I am very happy to release the scholarship for the academic year 2025-26 and to be able to live up to your expectations and fulfil some of your needs and aspirations,” he said.
He informed that the process of DBT has already been initiated.
The Chief Minister also informed that certain pending payment to verified beneficiaries is yet to be initiated because their Aadhaar is not seeded or linked with an active bank account, or because payment responses from the Public Financial Management System are pending.
“The concerned departments have been directed to monitor, correct and re-process every pending case until each eligible student is paid in full and I urge students whose payment has not been credited should confirm through their institution that their bank account is active and seeded with Aadhaar,” he said.
Giving insights on governance and education, the Chief Minister said to the large gathering of students from St Anthony’s College and other adjoining institutions, “For us you are the most important part of our government and are at the heart of the decision making of the government,” and explained how policies and decisions are made by the government keeping in mind the welfare of the students and the youth.
In his message to the students the Chief Minister urged the beneficiaries of the scholarship to use the money prudently to meet their educational needs.
For academic year 2025–26, 96,801 beneficiaries have been verified under the scheme of these, 88,061 students, or 91 per cent, have received the full scholarship amount. They comprise 52,839 fresh applicants and 35,222 renewal students.
The Central and State Governments have released Rs 198.43 crore for the scheme for 2025–26, in two instalments. The first instalment of Rs 93.95 crore comprised Rs 84.55 crore from the Centre and Rs 9.40 crore from the State.
The State share was sanctioned without delay after the Central share was conveyed.
The second instalment of Rs 104.48 crore comprises Rs 94.03 crore from the Centre and Rs 10.45 crore from the State.
As many as 96801 beneficiaries will receive the second and final instalment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship.
Also present were Minister, Sanbor Shullai, Fr Arcadius Puwein, Principal, St Anthony’s College, besides others.
