Fresh Row Erupts as Tripura Tribal Welfare Dept Plans to Send ST Students Outside State for Coaching Under 'Super 100' Scheme

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 24, 2026

The controversy surrounding the Tripura Tribal Welfare Department’s decision to facilitate coaching for ST students outside Tripura under the ‘Super 100’ scheme has intensified, with guardians and sections of the academic community raising serious concerns over both policy direction and financial implications. While the scheme aims to sponsor meritorious tribal students for competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE (Main & Advanced) and Civil Services, critics argue that students have not been given adequate flexibility to choose between reputed institutes within the state and those located outside Tripura.

According to the official notification, the scheme involves substantial financial commitment. For NEET/JEE coaching, which is structured for 24 months, the total entitlement per student is Rs.5.00 lakh. This includes Rs.2.20 lakh towards course fees and Rs.2.80 lakh for accommodation and miscellaneous expenses. The assistance is distributed over two years, with Rs.1.10 lakh course fee per year and Rs.1.40 lakh accommodation per year. Course fees are disbursed in two instalments of Rs.0.55 lakh each per year, while accommodation charges are also released in two instalments of Rs.0.70 lakh each annually.

For Civil Services Examination (CSE) coaching, which runs for 12 months, the total entitlement per student is Rs.4.00 lakh. This comprises Rs.2.60 lakh for course fees and Rs.1.40 lakh for accommodation. The amount is disbursed in four quarterly instalments. Each instalment includes Rs.0.65 lakh towards course fees and Rs.0.35 lakh towards accommodation, making Rs.1.00 lakh per quarter. The notification clearly states that financial support will not exceed these prescribed limits, and any excess amount must be borne by the student or guardian.

Overall, the total projected fund involvement under the scheme stands at Rs 9 Crores (Rs.9.00 lakh per student as per the document), combining allocations across categories. Payments are to be made through DBT mode to students and institutes upon confirmation of admission and submission of required undertakings. In case of discontinuation, the student or guardian will be held responsible for refunding the amount provided by the department.

The scheme also lays down strict institutional criteria. Selected institutes must have adequate infrastructure including classrooms, library facilities and digital learning resources. For Civil Services coaching, additional support such as interview preparation and current affairs discussion groups is preferred. Institutes must disclose their fee structure and refund policy upfront. A committee comprising representatives from relevant departments and institutions, including NIT Agartala and AGMC Agartala, will examine whether selected institutes are suitable under the Super 100 scheme, and the committee’s decision will be final.

Despite these structured financial provisions, guardians have questioned why students were not explicitly granted the freedom to opt for capable coaching centres within Tripura. Some education observers noted that in the previous year, several students were sent outside the state under departmental sponsorship, but the overall success rate did not meet expectations in the view of many stakeholders. They argue that before continuing with the same model, a transparent assessment of past outcomes should have been conducted.

Critics further suggest that instead of predominantly encouraging out-of-state institutions, the government could have strengthened and empanelled qualified coaching institutes within Tripura, allowing both in-state and out-of-state institutes to compete based on performance benchmarks. With significant public funds involved and high aspirations among tribal families, the issue has now entered the wider public domain, and the department’s approach to balancing financial accountability, academic performance and student choice is likely to remain under close scrutiny in the days ahead.

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