Students from economically and socially disadvantaged families in Sikkim now have a new opportunity to prepare for competitive exams without worrying about expensive coaching fees.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has launched ‘CM-Sathi’, a new initiative that will provide free coaching to eligible students preparing for the JEE and NEET entrance exams.
The scheme was announced by the Chief Minister on Saturday after the state cabinet approved the proposal.
What Is the CM-Sathi Scheme?
The CM-Sathi initiative has been launched in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
Under the scheme, students from poor and disadvantaged families will receive a two-month crash course to prepare for engineering and medical entrance examinations.
JEE, or the Joint Entrance Examination, is used for admission to engineering colleges, while NEET, or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, is required for admission to medical colleges.
The scheme aims to give students who may not be able to afford private coaching a better chance to compete in these important entrance exams.
Financial Help Also Available for Eligible Students
The state has also announced financial assistance of up to Rs 10,000 for economically weaker students, differently-abled people and orphan youth preparing for recruitment examinations conducted by the central government and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
This support is expected to help eligible candidates manage some of the costs involved in preparing for competitive examinations.
Sikkim Focuses More on Education
Sikkim is also increasing its focus on education.
According to Chief Minister Tamang, around 15% of the state’s total expenditure will be spent on education in 2025-26.
He said the state is committed to its goal of making Sikkim a major education hub.
The Chief Minister also highlighted another major achievement. Sikkim was declared a fully literate state on May 27, 2026, marking an important milestone in its education journey.
Teachers Honoured for Their Contribution
The Chief Minister also congratulated Sushma Tamang, a chemistry teacher at PM Shri Government Secondary School in Dikling, after she received the National Teachers Award 2026 from President Droupadi Murmu.
He also congratulated Dhan Kumar Gurung and Sudip Subba, who were selected to represent Sikkim at the national level.
Kinzang Dorjee Bhutia and Thinley Namgyal Bhutia were also recognised with the National Award for Innovation in Educational Administration.
In addition, 12 teachers from Sikkim received the State Teachers’ Award.
With initiatives such as CM-Sathi and increased spending on education, the Sikkim government is looking to create more opportunities for students, particularly those who may otherwise struggle to access quality coaching and educational support.
