The Government of Assam has launched the Prerona Scheme to provide financial, academic, and nutritional support to Class 10 students. Under this scheme, around 4.4 lakh students will receive ₹300 per month for four months through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The initiative aims to improve pass percentage, reduce dropout rates, and boost students’ confidence before the HSLC (SEBA) and CBSE Class 10 examinations.
This development is highly relevant for UPSC and APSC aspirants, especially for topics related to education reforms, welfare schemes, social sector governance, and human resource development.
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What Is Prerona Scheme of Assam Government?
- The Prerona Scheme is a student welfare initiative launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 28.
- The scheme focuses on holistic support for Class 10 students appearing in HSLC (SEBA) examinations and CBSE Class 10 examinations from Adarsha Vidyalayas.
- Importantly, the scheme covers students domiciled in Assam regardless of their economic background. The government will directly transfer the amount to students’ bank accounts.
This is the first-of-its-kind scheme in Assam that combines financial, nutritional, academic, and motivational support for board exam students.
Key Features of the Prerona Scheme:
Financial Support:
- Firstly, around 4.40 lakh students will benefit from the scheme.
- Moreover, each eligible student will receive ₹300 per month.
- The stipend will continue for four months, from November to February.
- Importantly, the government will transfer the amount directly to students’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Academic Support:
- In addition, students can use the financial assistance to purchase books, study materials, and stationery.
- Furthermore, the scheme encourages regular attendance in schools.
- At the same time, it promotes better exam preparation and structured study habits.
Nutritional Support:
- Besides academic assistance, the scheme focuses on improving nutrition, especially in rural areas.
- As a result, better nutrition will enhance concentration and cognitive performance.
- Additionally, it supports students who struggle to afford basic food requirements.
Therefore, the Prerona Scheme not only provides financial assistance but also strengthens students’ academic readiness and mental preparedness.
Objectives of the Prerona Scheme:
The Assam Government has designed the scheme with clear and targeted goals.
- Firstly, it aims to improve the pass percentage in HSLC and Class 10 board examinations.
- Secondly, it seeks to reduce dropout rates, especially among rural and economically weaker students.
- Moreover, it aims to boost students’ self-confidence, morale, and mental health.
- In addition, it encourages higher enrolment in government, provincialised, and Adarsha schools.
- Finally, it creates a positive environment to tackle exam-related stress and negative thinking.
Therefore, the scheme reflects a proactive approach to strengthening secondary education outcomes.
Why the Prerona Scheme Was Necessary:
- Firstly, many students in Assam face serious financial hardship, especially in rural and economically weaker households.
- Consequently, they struggle to afford nutritious food, books, study materials, and even private tuition fees.
- As a result, financial stress reduces their motivation and, in some cases, forces them to drop out before completing secondary education.
- Therefore, the government introduced the Prerona Scheme to ensure that financial difficulties do not interrupt a child’s educational journey.
- Moreover, the scheme recognizes that economic insecurity often affects students’ mental well-being and exam performance.
- At the same time, it aims to build confidence among adolescents by assuring them of continued government support.
- In addition, the initiative promotes equal educational opportunity by supporting students irrespective of their economic background.
Ultimately, the scheme seeks to create a positive and stable learning environment where students can focus on their studies without fear, stress, or self-doubt.
Link with Broader Education Reforms in Assam:
The Prerona Scheme forms part of a larger education reform strategy in Assam.
Expansion of Higher Education
- New medical colleges, universities, and engineering colleges have been established.
- The government has appointed new teachers to improve the student–teacher ratio.
Existing Student Welfare Schemes:
- Bicycle distribution for Class IX girls to reduce travel hardship.
- Free admissions across educational institutions.
- Nijut Moina Scheme offering ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 per month to girl students in higher education.
- Proposal to extend bicycle distribution to Class V students.
Thus, the Prerona Scheme complements existing initiatives and strengthens the overall education ecosystem in Assam.
Governance and Policy Significance of Prerona Scheme of Assam Government:
The Prerona Scheme demonstrates several important governance principles:
- Firstly, the use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures transparency and significantly reduces the chances of leakage or middlemen interference.
- Moreover, the scheme provides inclusive coverage, thereby promoting equal educational opportunity regardless of a student’s economic background.
- In addition, the focus on nutrition and mental well-being reflects a holistic approach to education rather than limiting support to academics alone.
- Furthermore, the targeted intervention before board examinations helps improve measurable outcomes such as attendance, preparedness, and pass percentage.
Therefore, the Prerona Scheme reflects effective policy design and strengthens social sector governance in Assam.
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Conclusion: Prerona Scheme – A Major Step in Education Reform in Assam
The Prerona Scheme Assam represents a major reform in the state’s secondary education system. By providing a ₹300 monthly stipend, along with academic and nutritional support to 4.4 lakh Class 10 students, the government aims to reduce dropout rates, improve HSLC pass percentage, and enhance student confidence before board examinations.
Moreover, the scheme highlights the effective use of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model, inclusive education policy, and targeted student welfare measures. It also reflects Assam’s broader commitment to education reforms, adolescent support, and human capital development.
Therefore, the Prerona Scheme of Assam Government remain important themes for comprehensive understanding of governance and social sector development.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
The Prerona Scheme 2025 is a student welfare scheme of the Government of Assam to provide ₹300 monthly stipend for four months to Class 10 students appearing in HSLC (SEBA) and CBSE examinations. It aims to improve pass percentage and reduce dropout rates.
Under the Prerona Scheme, all Class 10 students domiciled in Assam studying in government, provincialized and Adarsha schools are eligible, irrespective of their economic background.
Eligible students receive ₹300 per month for four months (November to February) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into their bank accounts.
The main objectives of the Prerona Scheme of Assam Government include reducing dropout rates, improving HSLC pass percentage, enhancing student confidence, and supporting nutrition and academic preparedness.
The scheme uses the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model to ensure transparent and leak-proof transfer of stipend directly to students’ bank accounts, improving efficiency in welfare delivery.
