Major Education Boost for Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Students
In a significant move to empower tribal youth, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced comprehensive scholarship programs for students from the state's Scheduled Tribes community. The announcement came during the annual college week celebration at Dera Natung Government College in Itanagar on Sunday.
The flagship initiative promises 100% scholarship coverage for APST students securing admission into all undergraduate courses at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Additionally, the same benefit extends to those gaining admission to both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the top 150 global universities as per the QS World University Rankings.
Aviation and Maritime Career Opportunities
Beyond conventional academic pathways, the state government has also focused on specialized career training. Chief Minister Khandu revealed that 10 aspiring youth annually will receive 75% scholarship support for obtaining commercial pilot licenses, opening up lucrative opportunities in the aviation sector.
Furthermore, the maritime industry will see increased representation from Arunachal with the announcement that 10 youths every year will receive government support for training and certification in merchant navy courses. This strategic move aims to diversify career options beyond traditional employment sectors.
Comprehensive Youth Development Framework
Chief Minister Khandu highlighted that these scholarship initiatives are part of a broader youth empowerment strategy. He cited several flagship programs including the AP Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, Atmanirbhar Arunachal, CM's Paryatan Vikas Yojana, CM's Vidya Scheme, and the CM's Talent Hunt and Youth Engagement Programmes.
"These programmes are designed to equip youth with skills, confidence, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state," Khandu emphasized during his address.
The state government has also taken a systematic approach to youth development by adopting the State Youth Policy 2025 this August. This comprehensive policy outlines nine key youth-development goals covering quality education, employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, sports, culture, and civic engagement.
Infrastructure Upgrades for Premier Institution
Recognizing the growing needs of educational institutions, Chief Minister Khandu announced several infrastructure projects currently in progress at Dera Natung Government College. The development plans include a new administrative block, 300-bed boys' hostel, 100-bed girls' hostel, prefabricated badminton court, judo-karate hall, and a Siddharth community hall with a seating capacity of 1,200 persons.
Established in 1979 and renamed in 2001 in memory of late education minister Dera Natung, the college remains one of Arunachal Pradesh's oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions. The infrastructure upgrades aim to significantly enhance the college's academic environment and overall learning experience for students.
This comprehensive education and youth development package represents the state government's commitment to creating multiple pathways for success for Arunachal's young population, ensuring they can compete effectively both nationally and globally.
