ANCSU questions disbursement of higher education GIA funds

DIMAPUR, AUG 18 (NPN): All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has raised serious concerns over the utilisation and disbursement of Grant-in-Aid (GIA) under the higher education department, particularly to eligible private, theological colleges and other organisations engaged 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 from the state government. However, the union said the actual amount disbursed to eligible institutions remained substantially below the total provision.
During the 2025-26 financial year, ANCSU said Rs.1,21,50,000 was disbursed to colleges and other eligible institutions under different categories, accounting for about 46% of the total provision. The union said more than half of the provision consequently remained undistributed to the institutions.
All Nagaland College Students’ Union acknowledged the government’s continued financial support to private and theological colleges and other eligible organisations, but said the pattern of disbursement was a matter of concern, given the stated purpose of GIA to support higher education, institutional development and student welfare.
The union asserted that private and theological colleges rely on GIA as an important source of financial assistance for institutional development and play a significant role in expanding access to higher education, particularly in areas where government institutions remain limited.
It said these institutions contribute to human resource development and serve thousands of students despite financial and infrastructural constraints.
ANCSU has, therefore, urged the department to undertake a comprehensive review of the GIA mechanism, including the allocation and disbursement of funds to private and theological colleges and other eligible institutions.
The union also called for the available GIA provision to be utilised transparently and judiciously, with priority given to its intended beneficiaries.
It said the financial assistance should translate into tangible benefits for students and institutions, including improvements to 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 was an investment in the future of higher education and the student community in Nagaland.
The union expressed hope that the state government would consider the concerns and take corrective measures in the larger interest of students and higher education in the state.