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.

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.

• 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.

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.