Kerala to Provide ₹1,000 Monthly Aid to College Students This Year; Scheme to Cost ₹70 Crore a Month
Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M. John has said that the state government is moving ahead with plans to implement the Indira Guarantee scheme for college girl students within the current academic year. Under the proposed initiative, eligible college-going women students would receive ₹1,000 every month. The minister said the detailed announcement will be made in the state budget, and departmental-level preparatory work has already begun so that the benefit can reach students during this academic year.
According to the minister, nearly seven lakh girls are currently studying at the college level in Kerala. Based on that estimate, the scheme would require around ₹70 crore each month. The announcement has drawn attention because of its scale and because it would become a significant recurring welfare expenditure for the state if implemented as planned.
The minister also referred to concerns surrounding the four-year degree programme, saying that several objections have been raised about it. He noted that universities, teachers, and students have been facing difficulties due to the implementation of the system without adequate preparation. According to him, the government is considering a committee to review the programme and suggest comprehensive reforms.
The proposed monthly allowance for college girls is being seen as part of the government’s broader support measures for students and women. Officials are now working on the framework needed to operationalize the scheme, including identifying beneficiaries, determining eligibility, and finalizing the administrative process. The minister’s remarks indicate that the state aims to introduce the plan quickly, rather than limiting it to a future financial year.
The plan is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming budget discussions, along with the government’s approach to higher education reforms. While the allowance scheme is intended to provide direct financial support to students, the review of the four-year degree course suggests that Kerala’s higher education policy may undergo further changes in the months ahead.
