Published on November 10, 2025
Delhi, India
On November 8, 2025, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu marked a transformative moment for higher education in the state by announcing a significant enhancement to the Dorjee Khandu Merit Scholarship and inaugurating state-of-the-art academic and administrative blocks at Dorjee Khandu Government College in Tawang. This dual initiative not only honors the legacy of Karamveer Dorjee Khandu—father of the CM and former Chief Minister—but also aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020‘s pillars of access, equity, and quality. Amid Arunachal’s push for a skilled youth demographic in a border region, these developments underscore a strategic investment in nurturing future leaders from the Eastern Himalayas.
- Event Context: The announcements were made during the inauguration ceremony, attended by key dignitaries including Advisor (Education) Mutchu Mithi, MLAs Phurpa Tsering, Tsering Lhamu, and Namgey Tsering, and Education Commissioner Amjad Tak.
- Broader Impact: Reinforces the state’s commitment to bridging infrastructural gaps in remote areas, where enrollment in higher education has risen by 20% since 2020, per recent state reports.
Scholarship Enhancement: Rewarding Merit with Substantial Incentives
The Dorjee Khandu Merit Scholarship, instituted to commemorate Karamveer Dorjee Khandu’s contributions to public service, has seen a dramatic overhaul from the 2025-26 academic year onward. Previously modest, the awards now offer life-changing financial support to top performers, aiming to foster a culture of academic rigor in Arunachal Pradesh’s diverse student body.
- Revised Award Structure:
- First Position: Increased from Rs 35,000 to Rs 5 lakh.
- Second Position: Upped from Rs 23,000 to Rs 3 lakh.
- Third Position: Raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
- Eligibility Criteria: Open to meritorious students based on annual academic rankings (first, second, third positions) across state institutions; no additional restrictions mentioned, broadening access for underrepresented communities.
- Beneficiary Reach: Expected to directly impact hundreds of students annually, with a focus on encouraging excellence in STEM, humanities, and vocational streams aligned with NEP 2020.
- CM’s Rationale: “This is our way of encouraging academic excellence and honouring the legacy of Karamveer Dorjee Khandu,” Khandu stated, emphasizing family-backed funding to sustain the initiative.
This hike represents a 14-fold increase for top achievers, positioning Arunachal as a frontrunner in merit-based incentives among Northeast states.
Inauguration of New College Blocks: Building Foundations for Future Innovators
The centerpiece of the event was the dedication of two new blocks at Dorjee Khandu Government College, established in 2016 with rudimentary facilities. These additions transform the institution into a modern hub, supporting over 500 students in a region where higher education access remains challenging due to terrain and climate.
- Facilities Overview:
- Academic Block: Equipped with smart classrooms, laboratories, and digital libraries to facilitate interactive, multidisciplinary learning under NEP 2020.
- Administrative Block: Streamlined offices for efficient governance, including faculty rooms and student counseling centers.
- College Milestones: From a temporary setup in 2016, the college now boasts a 95%+ pass rate, with 100% results in the last two sessions, crediting Principal Dr. Yeshi Gyetsen’s leadership.
- Dedication Message: Khandu urged students, “With this new infrastructure, we take another firm step towards nurturing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and change-makers from the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.”
- Attendance and Ceremony: A vibrant gathering highlighted the college’s disciplined ethos, with Khandu praising its faculty for fostering result-oriented growth.
These upgrades address critical infrastructure deficits, enhancing enrollment and retention in Tawang—a strategic border district.
Background and Legacy: Honoring Karamveer Dorjee Khandu
Named after Karamveer Dorjee Khandu (1955–2011), a visionary leader who served as Arunachal’s Chief Minister from 2007 until his tragic helicopter crash, the scholarship and college embody his lifelong dedication to education and development. As a two-term MLA and minister, he championed rural upliftment, laying the groundwork for inclusive policies.
- Scholarship Origins: Launched post-2011 as a family initiative by Pema Khandu to perpetuate his father’s ethos of meritocracy and public service.
- Institutional Tie-In: The college, bearing his name, symbolizes continuity—evolving from basic operations to a beacon of excellence in Monpa-dominated Tawang.
- Personal Touch: Khandu shared familial pride, noting the enhancement as a “family’s happy contribution” to state youth empowerment.
This legacy analysis reveals how personal tributes fuel systemic change, inspiring similar models across India.
Significance for Arunachal Education: Aligning with NEP 2020 Goals
In a state where gross enrollment in higher education hovers at 25% (below the national 28%), these moves signal Arunachal’s accelerated NEP 2020 implementation. Khandu reaffirmed the policy’s full rollout, targeting equity in remote areas through tech-integrated curricula and skill development.
- Policy Synergies:
- Access and Equity: New blocks reduce dropout risks by providing affordable, quality facilities; scholarships mitigate financial barriers for tribal students.
- Quality Enhancement: Emphasis on discipline—”the foundation of success”—aligns with NEP’s holistic development focus, preparing youth for AI-driven jobs.
- Accountability Measures: Phased infrastructure promises ensure measurable progress, with Tawang’s college as a pilot for statewide upgrades.
- Regional Relevance: Boosts Arunachal’s literacy rate (76% as of 2023) and supports Viksit Bharat by skilling border youth for defense, tourism, and eco-innovation sectors.
- Broader Echoes: Mirrors national trends, like enhanced merit aids in neighboring states, fostering competitive Northeast education hubs.
Khandu’s vision positions education as a tool for social mobility in Arunachal’s rugged landscape.
Future Commitments: Phased Roadmap for Sustainable Growth
Responding to Principal Dr. Yeshi Gyetsen’s memorandum, Khandu outlined actionable next steps, blending immediate relief with long-term vision to sustain momentum.
- Staffing and Resources:
- Sanctioning additional faculty and ministerial staff, with processes already initiated.
- Funds assured for furniture procurement, boundary wall construction, and land allotment certification.
- Infrastructure Expansion:
- Dedicated playground development near Tawang Stadium via repurposing adjacent structures.
- Phased additions, including hostels and sports facilities, to make the college a comprehensive campus.
- Coordination Directive: Tawang Deputy Commissioner tasked with overseeing boundary demarcation and logistics.
- Statewide Pledge: All institutions to be fortified under NEP 2020, with similar events planned for 2026.
These commitments, if executed, could elevate Tawang’s college to a model for 50+ remote Arunachal institutions.
