Chief Ministers’ Education Assistance Scheme
About Chief Ministers’ Education Assistance Scheme
The "Chief Ministers’ Education Assistance Scheme (CMEAS)" was launched by the Education Department, Government of Sikkim. The objective of scheme is to provide financial assistance to students from economically weaker sections, marginalized communities and specially-abled students. Under this scheme, students receive financial aid for pursuing education within the state, outside the state, abroad, and in registered coaching institutions.
Scheme Implementation:
- The scheme is implemented by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Sikkim, with a dedicated nodal officer for verification, approval, and fund disbursement.
Benefits
Nature of Assistance
Under the CMEAS, students shall be eligible for the following assistance:
(i) Within State:
*SI.No.CourseType of InstitutionAmount (in ₹) (per month/annum)1Undergraduates/Diploma and EquivalentGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹5,000/- PM2Professional/Technical- Undergraduate & EquivalentGovernment Upto ₹5,000/- PM3Post Graduate & EquivalentGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹7,000/- PM4Professional/Technical - Postgraduate & EquivalentGovernmentUpto ₹7,000/- PM5PhD & aboveGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹10,000/- PM6Professional/Technical - Undergraduate & EquivalentPrivateUpto ₹1,50,000/- PA7Professional/Technical - Postgraduate & EquivalentPrivateUpto ₹2,00,000/- PA(ii) Outside State within Country:
*SI.No.CourseType of Institution*Amount (in ₹) (per month/annum)1Undergraduates/Diploma and EquivalentGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹7,000/- PM2Professional/Technical- Undergraduate & EquivalentGovernment Upto ₹7,000/- PM3Post Graduate & EquivalentGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹9,000/- PM4Professional/Technical - Postgraduate & EquivalentGovernmentUpto ₹9,000/- PM5PhD & aboveGovernment & PrivateUpto ₹12,000/- PM6Professional/Technical - Undergraduate & EquivalentPrivateUpto ₹2,00,000/- PA7Professional/Technical - Postgraduate & EquivalentPrivateUpto ₹2,50,000/- PA(iii) Studying Abroad: Upto ₹5,00,000/- PA*
(iv) Studying in Coaching Centre: Upto ₹1,50,000/- PA
Note:
The quantum of financial assistance shall be determined based on the student’s financial need and availability of funds.
Who is Eligible
- The student must be a domicile of the Sikkim state.
- The student must belong to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) as defined by the government.
- The student must be enrolled in a recognized educational institution, a recognized distance education institution, or a recognized institution abroad.
- The student should be studying in a registered coaching center.
- A special consideration shall be given to students from marginalized, minority communities and specially abled categories (Divyangjan) and orphans.
- The annual family income of the student shall not exceed a limit specified by the government, as revised from time to time.
How to Apply
Offline
Application Process:
Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the designated cell in the Chief Minister’s Office, Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok and request a hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the staff exclusively entrusted to issue and collect filled-in applications.
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attested, if required).
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Chief Minister’s Office, Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok.
Post Application Process:
Step 1: The application will be reviewed and verified through an official procedure.
Step 2: A nodal officer appointed by the CMO will oversee eligibility, approval, fund disbursement, and record-keeping.
Step 3: Upon approval, financial assistance will be disbursed directly to the applicant’s bank account.
Application Renewal Process:
The financial assistance granted under this scheme may be renewed annually until the completion of the student’s course of study, subject to the following conditions:
Step 1: The student must remain enrolled in the educational institution during the period of renewal.
Step 2: The student must have passed and cleared all prescribed courses (semester/annual) in the enrolled academic programme.
Step 3: The student must continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Step 4: The scholarship from other sources will be reviewed while verifying the applications and the eligibility will be considered accordingly.
Documents Required
- Certificate of Identification (COI) of the student/father
- Bonafide Certificate from the concerned institution
- Birth Certificate of the student
- Voter Identity Card of a student/father
- Aadhaar Card of the student
- Pass Certificate/Marks Statement of the previous class/semester/year
- Fee structure of the course
- Bank account details
Note: A revenue stamp should be affixed to the application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for CMEAS?
Any student who is a domicile of Sikkim and belongs to the EWS category can apply.
- Can private institution students apply?
Yes, assistance is available for both government and private institutions.
- What is the income limit to be eligible?
The family income should not exceed the government-specified limit (updated from time to time).
- Is this scheme renewable every year?
Yes, subject to satisfactory academic progress and eligibility.
- What are the disbursement modes?
The amount is directly transferred to the student’s bank account.
- Where should I submit the application?
At the designated cell in the Chief Minister’s Office, Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok.
- Do I need a Bonafide Certificate?
Yes, it is mandatory from your current institution.
- Who manages the funds of this scheme?
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) handles fund disbursement, monitoring, and audit compliance.
- Is there any special consideration for students from minority or marginalized communities?
Yes, students from marginalized communities, minority groups, specially-abled categories (Divyangjan), and orphans are given special consideration under the scheme.
- How often is the financial assistance released under the CMEAS?
The assistance is released on a semester-wise basis (half-yearly or annually) depending on the student’s academic progress and course structure.
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