ST Students Yet to Receive Book Grant in 2025-26 Even as Financial Year Nears End
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 27, 2025
As the 2025-26 financial year approaches its close, a large section of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in Tripura are yet to receive their book grant under the "Cash in Lieu of Free Text Book" scheme. Despite the scheme being a vital support system for ST students from Class IX up to Degree level, delays in application and verification processes have held back disbursement this year.
The Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Tripura, has now issued a fresh notification extending the timeline for applications and verifications under the scheme. According to the notification signed by Subhasis Das, Director of Tribal Welfare, the revised deadlines are as follows:
Institute Nodal Officer (INO): Applications must be completed by 15th November, 2025.
District Nodal Officer (DNO): Verification should be completed by 29th November, 2025.
State Nodal Officer (SNO): Final verification deadline is 20th December, 2025.
The department has directed that all concerned authorities strictly adhere to this extended schedule. It has also stressed that the revised timeline must be widely publicized and proactive measures taken so that every eligible ST student can benefit from the scheme.
The delay in disbursement has caused concern among parents and students, as the academic session is already in progress and the financial year is nearing its end. Students across the state rely heavily on this grant to meet their educational expenses, particularly for textbooks and study materials.
Officials say the extension aims to ensure that no eligible student is left out of the scheme due to procedural delays. However, stakeholders have urged the Tribal Welfare Department to expedite the process so that students can receive their entitlements within the current financial year.
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to all District Magistrates, Collectors, District Welfare Officers, and Sub-Divisional Magistrates for immediate action.
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