Over 41,000 ST Students in Nagaland to Benefit from Post-Matric Scholarships in 2024-25
In a significant development for education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Nagaland, a total of 41,793 ST students have been identified as beneficiaries of the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme for the academic year 2024–25. Announced at a press conference held at the Directorate of Higher Education in Kohima, this initiative marks a decisive step toward promoting inclusive education for tribal youth in the state.
Scholarship Disbursement: Rs 56.38 Crore Required, Rs 30.70 Crore Available
The PMS scheme for 2024–25 is projected to require Rs 56.38 crore in total funding to support all eligible students. However, the state currently has Rs 30.70 crore at its disposal. As a result, officials confirmed that the scholarship distribution will occur in phases.
Keduosielie Keyho and Tol Pucho, both Officers on Special Duty (OSD) for Scholarships, explained that this approach will allow immediate aid to a portion of the students while ensuring the rest are covered once additional funds are released.
Phase 1: 22,000 Students to Receive Full Scholarship Amount
In the first phase, 22,000 students—about 52.64% of the total identified beneficiaries—will receive their entire scholarship amount in a one-time payment. This is a significant change from previous years when the disbursements were made in multiple instalments.
This shift to lump-sum disbursements is expected to provide more immediate relief to students and reduce the administrative burden on both students and officials.
Central and State Government Partnership: A 90:10 Funding Model
The PMS scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) governed by a 90:10 funding ratio between the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland. This cooperative financial structure ensures that the majority of the funding is borne by the Centre, with the state contributing its share to enable implementation on the ground.
System Authentication and Aadhaar Challenges
Among the 41,793 applicants, 30,451 students have already been system-authenticated, confirming their eligibility for the scholarship. However, 11,342 students remain unauthenticated, primarily due to the non-seeding of their Aadhaar numbers with their bank accounts.
According to Keyho, auto-generated SMS alerts have been sent to these students, instructing them on how to resolve the Aadhaar seeding issue. These students are still eligible and will be included in subsequent disbursement phases, once their bank details are correctly linked and additional funds become available.
Major Shift to National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
One of the most notable updates this year is the switch from the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for scholarship disbursement.
This is the first time Nagaland will disburse Post Matric Scholarships through the NSP, which is designed to improve transparency, reduce fraud, and ensure faster and more secure payments.
Under the NSP framework, instalment-based payments are no longer allowed. All scholarships must be disbursed in full for each beneficiary in a single transaction, even if the payments are made in separate phases due to funding limitations.
Digitisation for Greater Transparency and Efficiency
The adoption of the National Scholarship Portal is part of a broader initiative by the Government of India to digitize all centrally sponsored welfare schemes end-to-end. This shift is expected to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and direct transfer of benefits to the rightful recipients, without delays or third-party intervention.
Keyho emphasized that digitization is not just about convenience—it is about creating a robust, tamper-proof system where every eligible student receives their due benefit on time. The process remains transparent and accountable at every step.
What This Means for ST Students in Nagaland
For thousands of tribal students across Nagaland, this announcement offers both immediate relief and long-term educational support. With rising education costs, especially for students pursuing higher studies outside their native districts or states, the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme serves as a crucial financial aid program.
The assurance that the scholarship will now be disbursed in full and via direct digital transfer provides students and their families with a clearer understanding of when and how to expect support. It also encourages more students to continue their education beyond the matric level, knowing that institutional and governmental mechanisms are actively working in their favor.
Conclusion: A Step Forward in Educational Equity
The identification of over 41,000 ST students as scholarship beneficiaries highlights the government’s commitment to inclusive education and social equity in Nagaland. While current financial constraints necessitate the phased disbursement approach, the move toward digital transparency and one-time payments under the NSP is a forward-looking policy decision.
As more funds are released and Aadhaar-related issues are resolved, the remaining eligible students will also receive their scholarships, paving the way for a more educated and empowered tribal community in the state.
