The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has raised concerns over the utilisation and disbursement of Grant-in-Aid (GIA) funds under the Higher Education Department, particularly the financial assistance provided to eligible private and theological colleges and other organisations involved in student welfare activities.
In a press release, ANCSU president Kivika Yeptho and general secretary Sotilo Tep said an annual provision of Rs 2.65 crore was made available under the GIA by the state government. However, the union claimed that the actual amount released to eligible institutions remained substantially lower than the total provision.
According to the union, Rs 1,21,50,000 was disbursed to colleges and other eligible institutions under different categories during the 2025-26 financial year. This accounted for about 46 per cent of the total provision of Rs 2.65 crore, leaving more than half of the allocated amount undistributed.
ANCSU acknowledged the government’s continued financial support to private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations. However, it said the pattern of disbursement needed greater attention, considering that the GIA was intended to support higher education, institutional development and student welfare.
The union said private and theological colleges depend on GIA as an important source of financial assistance for institutional development. It pointed out that these institutions play a significant role in expanding access to higher education, particularly in areas where government-run institutions are limited.
According to ANCSU, such institutions contribute to human resource development and provide education to thousands of students despite facing financial and infrastructural constraints. The union said adequate and timely financial support was therefore important for maintaining and improving educational facilities and student services.
ANCSU has urged the Higher Education Department to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing GIA mechanism, including the allocation and disbursement of funds to private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations.
The union also called for the available GIA provision to be utilised in a transparent and judicious manner, with priority given to the institutions and beneficiaries for whom the financial assistance is intended.
It said the assistance should result in tangible improvements for students and institutions. These, according to the union, could include better classrooms, laboratories, libraries, digital facilities, learning resources and student-support systems.
ANCSU maintained that strengthening the financial foundation of private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations would contribute to the broader development of higher education in Nagaland.
The union expressed hope that the state government would consider its concerns and take appropriate corrective measures in the larger interest of students and the higher education sector in the state.
