ANCSU has raised concerns over the allocation and disbursement of Grant-in-Aid to private and theological colleges, urging greater transparency and increased financial support.
DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has expressed serious concern over the manner in which the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) under the Higher Education department is being allocated, retained and disbursed to eligible private and theological colleges and other organisations engaged in student welfare activities.
According to the union, an annual provision of INR 2.65 crore is received from the state government under the GIA scheme.
However, the actual disbursement to eligible colleges and institutions has remained substantially below the total provision, ANCSU stated in a press release.
The union stated that during the financial year 2025–26, only INR 1.21 crore was disbursed to colleges and other eligible institutions on a category-wise basis, accounting for approximately 46% of the total provision.
The remaining amount, it said, was retained by the department for its activities and other purposes.
Also read: Nagaland: ANCSU seeks higher grant-in-aid for private, theological colleges
While acknowledging and appreciating the government’s continued financial support to private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations, the union said the pattern of disbursement was a matter of concern.
“The fundamental purpose of Grant-in-Aid is to provide financial assistance to eligible institutions and organisations to strengthen higher education, institutional development and student welfare,” ANCSU stated.
It said that when a substantial portion of the sanctioned provision is retained while less than half reaches the intended institutions, the objective of the financial assistance is considerably undermined.
ANCSU further pointed out that GIA remains the only source of financial assistance for many private and theological colleges to undertake institutional development.
It said these institutions have played an important role in expanding access to higher education across Nagaland, particularly in areas where government institutions remain limited.
“Private and theological colleges contribute significantly to human resource development and continue to serve thousands of students despite considerable financial and infrastructural constraints,” the union said.
ANCSU appealed to the Higher Education department to undertake a comprehensive review of the GIA mechanism and enhance the grant at the earliest, particularly with regard to allocation, retention and disbursement to private and theological colleges.
The union also urged the department to ensure that the available GIA provision is utilised transparently and judiciously, primarily in accordance with its intended purpose.
“Grant-in-Aid must ultimately translate into tangible benefits for education and students. The funds provided for this purpose should not merely remain as a departmental provision or be utilised in a manner that defeats the sole objective of the GIA,” ANCSU said.
It stated that financial assistance should reach the institutions and organisations for which it is intended and enable them to improve classrooms, laboratories, libraries, digital facilities, learning resources, student-support systems and other welfare activities.
The union maintained that strengthening the financial foundation of private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations is not merely an institutional requirement but an investment in the future of higher education and the student community in Nagaland.
ANCSU expressed hope that the government would respond positively to its concerns and take necessary corrective measures in the larger interest of students and the advancement of higher education in the state.