Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, May 13: Bringing relief to aspiring engineering students and their families, the Goa government has officially extended its flagship DJ-GIFT scheme (Diamond Jubilee Government Investment for Technical Education) for the academic year 2025-26. The scheme offers a substantial fee subsidy for students pursuing professional education in private engineering colleges across the state.

As per the latest government notification, students seeking admission in the upcoming academic session will continue to benefit from the subsidised fee structure, provided their annual family income is within Rs 12 lac — a threshold that was revised last year from the earlier limit of Rs 5 lac.

Under DJ-GIFT, eligible students are required to pay a fixed "base fee" annually, while the state government covers the remaining tuition cost. For engineering students enrolling in 2025-26, the base fee structure is as follows:

• 1st year: Rs 1.1 lac

• 2nd year: Rs 1.2 lac

• 3rd year: Rs 1.3 lac

• Final year: Rs 1.4 lac

In cases where annual fees at private institutions touch Rs 2 lac, students will only pay the notified base fee, with the rest being borne by the state government. This subsidy significantly reduces the financial burden on middle-class families and ensures wider access to technical education.

State officials estimate that nearly 90% of first-year engineering students will fall under the eligible category for this benefit, making it one of the most inclusive fee subsidy schemes in the region. It's worth noting that students admitted to state-run Goa Engineering College already enjoy subsidised fees.

In a further boost to vocational education, the DJ-GIFT scheme will also continue to benefit students joining diploma courses in engineering and hotel management in 2025-26. For these students:

• Diploma in engineering: Base fee is Rs 30,000/year

• Diploma in hotel management & catering technology: Base fee is Rs 75,000/year

When initially launched, the DJ-GIFT scheme had no income limit, but the current income cap of Rs 12 lac ensures targeted support while covering a majority of eligible students.

Education authorities have welcomed the continuation of the scheme, stating it reflects the government’s commitment to empowering youth through affordable quality education.