UP govt transfers ₹148 crore in scholarships, fee reimbursements to 4.60 lakh students

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has transferred more than ₹148 crore in scholarships and fee reimbursements to the bank accounts of over 4.60 lakh students from low-income families, providing financial support to students in Classes 9 and 10 and those pursuing post-matric courses.

The chief minister also felicitated meritorious students with certificates and said no student should be forced to give up education because of financial constraints.

Addressing students at the event, Adityanath said the government was focused on creating equal opportunities and strengthening the state's education infrastructure.

"Now in Uttar Pradesh, no curfew, no riot, everything is fine. Uttar Pradesh is moving forward rapidly. You are the charioteers of this UP," he said, urging students to see themselves as contributors to the state's future.

He also linked the students' future to India's 2047 development target, noting that those currently aged 15 to 18 would be in their late 30s by then and could become part of the country's working population.

"Nothing can be greater than the country," he said, urging students to work hard and contribute to India's development.

Coaching support for competitive exams

Adityanath highlighted the Chief Minister Abhyudaya Coaching programme, saying students no longer needed to travel to other states to prepare for competitive examinations such as IIT-JEE and NEET.

He said students could access coaching through physical as well as virtual modes and make use of the facilities provided under the programme.

₹25,000 support for girls under Kanya Sumangala

The chief minister also highlighted the Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Scheme, under which financial assistance of ₹25,000 is provided at different stages from the birth of a girl child until graduation.

He said meritorious girls currently in the final year of graduation and featuring on the merit list would also receive scooters, with the government planning to distribute scooters to 50,000 girls in the coming month.

Adityanath said the government provides financial assistance at various stages, including birth registration, vaccination, admission to Class 1, entry into Class 6 and Class 9.

He also said eligible women would receive ₹1 lakh for marriage under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme.

Schools get new buildings, labs, digital facilities

Adityanath said the government was upgrading infrastructure in schools, particularly for students from economically and socially weaker sections.

He referred to Jai Prakash Narayan Ashram Paddhati Schools, which provide residential education to children from disadvantaged communities, and highlighted infrastructure development under Project Alankar and PM-SHRI.

He said more than 2,300 schools had received new buildings, along with new laboratories, libraries and classrooms.

The government was also expanding Atal Tinkering Labs, digital libraries and smart classrooms, he said.

UP aims to expand scholarship coverage

Adityanath said the scholarship programme should eventually reach 70 lakh students, up from the 46 lakh students covered in the latest distribution.

He said scholarships for around 4 lakh students from the previous year were also being disbursed and reiterated that the government intended to ensure that no eligible student was left out.

The chief minister said direct transfers into students' bank accounts had also helped prevent diversion of scholarship funds.

He credited technology-enabled direct benefit transfers with reducing the scope for intermediaries to siphon off funds, saying students now receive the money directly in their accounts.

Focus on faster board exams and results

Adityanath also cited changes in the conduct of UP Board examinations, saying Class 10 and 12 examinations were now completed within 15 days, with results announced within the following 15 days.

He contrasted this with the earlier system, which he said involved lengthy examination, result and admission cycles that left students with less time for academic work.

The chief minister also described Uttar Pradesh as a revenue-surplus state and said the state was increasingly contributing to India's economic growth.

"Every resident of Uttar Pradesh can now walk with their head held high in the country and say with pride, 'I am from Uttar Pradesh,'" he said.