Centre invested Rs 21,000 cr in NE's education sector: Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday claimed that the central government has invested Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector in the Northeast in the last 11 years. Connectivity has also received a boost in the region during the period, with new states put on the railway map and several greenfield airports constructed, she added. Sitharaman, who was on a two-day visit to Assam since Friday, was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the state's first university focussed on technical and vocational education and training at Bholaguri in Gohpur in Biswanath district. She said, this investment has facilitated the establishment of new schools, medical colleges, and skill development institutes, and the creation of a new technical and vocational university in Assam. Ms Sitharaman stated that under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme, the Central Government provides financial support to states for capital projects through 50-year, interest-free loans, aimed at boosting capital expenditure. Assam has been utilising these funds in a planned and effective manner for asset creation across the state and ranks among the top states in optimal utilisation of resources under the SASCI scheme, she said.

Earlier this year, at the Rising North East Investors Summit, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi highlighted that Rs. 21,000 crore have been invested in the Northeast’s education sector alone in the last decade. Since 2014:

- Around 850 new schools have been established.… pic.twitter.com/dXlTGHG9Tg

— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) November 8, 2025

The Minister said that Assam has taken the lead in driving such cutting-edge development, opening new frontiers of opportunity for the entire Northeast. She lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his leadership in bringing India’s semiconductor revolution to Assam.