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Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has announced the launch of the 'CM-Saathi' initiative. The scheme aims to provide quality coaching to students aspiring to prepare for engineering and medical entrance examinations.

The government has made a major announcement for economically disadvantaged students in Sikkim preparing for JEE and NEET. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced the 'CM-Saathi' initiative on the occasion of Teachers' Day. The scheme is designed to provide quality coaching to students who wish to prepare for engineering and medical entrance exams but cannot afford the associated costs. To address this, the Sikkim CM has announced free JEE-NEET coaching.

Coaching to be Launched in Collaboration with IIT Kanpur

The Sikkim government has launched the 'CM-Saathi' scheme in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Under this initiative, JEE and NEET aspirants from underprivileged families will undergo a two-month crash course. The state cabinet has approved the proposal for the scheme. The Chief Minister noted that there are many students in the state who aspire to succeed in competitive exams like JEE and NEET but face significant hurdles due to the high cost of coaching fees. 'CM-Saathi' aims to alleviate this problem for such students.

Financial Assistance for Preparing for Central Government Exams

In addition to education-focused initiatives, the Sikkim government has announced the 'Launch Pad' scheme for economically disadvantaged youth. Under this scheme, a one-time financial assistance of up to ₹10,000 will be provided to economically weaker students, persons with disabilities, and orphaned youth to help them prepare for central government and PSU examinations. This assistance can be used for study materials, travel, and other expenses related to exam preparation.

Education Spending Termed the Most Important Investment

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang stated that his government views education not merely as an expense but as the most crucial investment. Approximately 15 percent of the state's total expenditure for the 2025-26 period has been allocated to education. He also stated that continuous efforts are being made to transform Sikkim into an education hub. He noted that Sikkim was declared a fully literate state on May 27, 2026. The government's focus has now shifted beyond merely increasing access to education toward ensuring its quality and excellence.

Target to Make Sikkim an Education Hub by 2035

The Chief Minister stated that the government aims to ensure that, by 2035, students from Sikkim do not need to leave the state for quality education. Instead, the goal is for students from other parts of the country to come to Sikkim to receive an education that is superior, inclusive, and future-ready. To strengthen the education system, the government is working on various initiatives, including the recruitment and regularization of teachers. Preparations are also underway to introduce the 'Sikkim Life Skills Curriculum' in the state, which will teach students skills such as CPR, first aid, fire safety, and disaster management.