In a significant move aimed at providing timely and continuous financial support to students, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday, 10th October 2025 transferred a total of Rs. 84.66 crore in scholarships and stipends directly into the bank accounts of 1.98 lakh students through a digital Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The transfer, which marks a pivotal shift towards student-centric governance, also includes a major policy change: the financial aid will now be disbursed in four quarterly installments instead of a single annual payment.
Quarterly Disbursement for Uninterrupted Education
The primary highlight of the initiative is the new payment schedule. Previously, students would receive their scholarship and stipend amounts only once a year, typically in December or February-March, which often created financial hardship for them during the academic session.
Under the new system, which applies to pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, students will receive payments in June, September, October, and December.
"Education is the foundation for the upliftment of society. Our government is committed to ensuring that no student, regardless of their background, has to abandon their studies due to financial constraints," Chief Minister Sai stated during the transfer ceremony. "The new quarterly payment system will provide regular, predictable financial assistance, ensuring their education continues without interruption."
Benefiting Vulnerable Sections
The transferred amount represents the second installment of the financial aid and targets students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Minority communities, and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The total disbursement of Rs. 84.66 crore included: Rs. 79.27 crore as the second installment of stipends for 1,86,050 students residing in Ashram and hostels. Rs. 5.38 crore for 12,142 students under the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme, including those pursuing technical and professional courses.
Digital Governance and Transparency
The entire payment process is managed through a fully online platform and Direct Benefit Transfer, enhancing transparency and accountability in the scholarship system. Officials noted that this digital governance model minimizes the scope for fraud and delays, making the scheme more efficient.
Principal Secretary Sonmani Bora, addressing the gathering, highlighted that this move aligns with the state's vision for more transparent and responsive administration. "By leveraging digital technology, we are ensuring that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries directly and on time, thereby strengthening their financial self-reliance," he said.
The Chief Minister’s initiative has been widely welcomed by the student community, who are now assured of timely funds to cover their academic expenses, including tuition fees, books, and hostel charges.
