Jharkhand CM Champai Soren launches Pioneering Schemes to boost Higher Education Access

Ranchi, 11 March 2024: In a significant move to facilitate higher education for students, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren unveiled two groundbreaking schemes at the inauguration ceremony held at Ranchi’s Tana Bhagat Stadium on Monday. The schemes, namely the Guruji Student Credit Card and the Manki Munda Scholarship, aim to eliminate barriers hindering students’ pursuit of advanced education.

Under the Guruji Student Credit Card scheme, students are entitled to collateral-free education loans of up to Rs 15 lakh with a nominal annual interest rate of 4 percent. The repayment period commences one year after course completion, with the government acting as the guarantor for the loans.

Simultaneously, the Manki Munda Scholarship scheme aims to encourage female students to pursue technical education. Under this initiative, girl students can receive Rs 15,000 annually for diploma courses and Rs 30,000 annually for engineering courses.

During the inauguration event, Chief Minister Soren disclosed that approximately 1,200 students have already registered for the Guruji Student Credit Card scheme, while 800 have enrolled in the Manki Munda Scholarship scheme. As a symbolic gesture, Soren personally handed over credit cards and scholarships to two students from each program.

Emphasizing the significance of higher education for the children of laborers and farmers, Soren highlighted its pivotal role in realizing the vision of a developed Jharkhand. He also mentioned the Mukhyamantri Shiksha Protsahan Yojna, a scheme providing a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 to students to alleviate living expenses during coaching, ensuring that financial constraints do not impede educational pursuits.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister reiterated the importance of education, stating that development at the family, societal, and state levels is not feasible without it.

In addition to the education-centric schemes, Soren inaugurated a state-of-the-art 3D theatre at the regional science center in Ranchi, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting education and innovation in the state.