Sikkim CM launches CM-SAATHI for JEE, NEET aspirants
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Saturday announced the launch of CM-SAATHI, an initiative aimed at providing free, quality coaching to JEE and NEET aspirants from economically disadvantaged families.
Speaking at a Teachers’ Day programme, Tamang said the scheme has been launched in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and will provide eligible students with a two-month crash course to prepare for the engineering and medical entrance examinations. The state Cabinet approved the proposal on Friday.
Tamang said many students from low-income families aspire to pursue engineering and medical education but are unable to afford private coaching.
The Chief Minister, who worked as a teacher before entering politics, also highlighted his government’s focus on strengthening education in the state. He said around 15 per cent of Sikkim’s total expenditure was allocated to education during 2025-26.
He noted that Sikkim was declared a Fully Literate State on May 27, 2026, describing it as a significant milestone in the state’s educational journey.
Tamang also announced plans to introduce the Sikkim Life Skills Curriculum, covering practical skills such as CPR, first aid, fire safety and disaster preparedness. He stressed the importance of such training in the earthquake-prone Himalayan state.
Looking ahead, Tamang said the government aims to ensure that by 2035, students from Sikkim would not need to leave the state for quality education. Instead, he said, the state should become a destination for students from across India seeking inclusive, high-quality and future-ready education.
with inputs from PTI
