The Chhattisgarh government is set to introduce a new scheme to address a major challenge faced by college students. Frequently, students are unable to secure hostel accommodation within their colleges, compelling them to either pay exorbitant rents or commute to hostels located in distant areas. Recognizing this predicament, the government is preparing to launch the 'Mukhyamantri Shiksha Sahayog Yojana' (Chief Minister's Education Assistance Scheme). Under this scheme, graduate and postgraduate students belonging to the SC, ST, and OBC categories will receive monthly financial assistance to cover their rental expenses. This initiative will enable students to reside in proximity to their colleges, thereby alleviating their financial burdens.

**Assistance Amount to be Determined by City Category**
The draft for the scheme has been finalized, and preparations are underway to implement it starting from the upcoming academic session. Under this scheme, students pursuing their studies in the state capital will receive a monthly stipend of ₹3,000. Meanwhile, students studying in other divisional headquarters will receive ₹2,500 per month, while those studying at the district or block levels will receive assistance of ₹2,000 per month. This financial aid will be disbursed in three installments over a period of 10 months within a year.

**Benefits Available for Up to 6 Years**
The benefits of this scheme will be extended to undergraduate students for a maximum duration of four years, and to postgraduate students for up to two years. Consequently, students will be able to avail themselves of the benefits of this scheme for a cumulative period of up to six years.

**Eligibility and Selection Criteria**
The benefits of this scheme will be available exclusively to students whose family's annual income is less than ₹2.5 lakh. Selection will be based on merit. To secure admission at the undergraduate level, candidates must have obtained a First Division in their Class 12 examinations; similarly, for admission to the postgraduate level, a minimum aggregate score of 55% in their undergraduate degree is mandatory.

**Who Will Not Receive Benefits?**
Students who are already residing in government-run or private hostels—or in hostels managed by any other institution or organization—will not be eligible to receive the benefits of this scheme.

**Why is This Scheme Necessary?**
The number of seats available in government-run hostels across the state is limited, resulting in a large number of students being left without accommodation every year. Consequently, these students are compelled to seek housing at exorbitant rental rates. To resolve this issue, the government has decided to implement a new system so that students can live near their colleges and study more effectively.

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