Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma opened the year by outlining a string of achievements and announcing fresh initiatives for 2026, stressing the state’s push to convert recent economic gains into long-term development. Speaking to the press in Guwahati, he cited robust fiscal performance, social welfare expansion and a slate of infrastructure projects designed to attract investment and ease administration.
Assam economic growth
The Chief Minister said Assam has become India’s fastest-growing state economy, recording a 45% increase in Gross State Domestic Product between 2020 and 2025, outpacing the national average. Per capita income has risen from ₹103,371 in 2021 to ₹159,185, a 54% rise, and state revenue collection grew 53% over five years. The Reserve Bank of India has recognised the achievement, and Assam will participate for the first time at the World Economic Forum in Davos alongside Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to showcase investment opportunities.
Major projects and social programmes
Among the announcements for 2026, Dr Sarma said 37–38 lakh women beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme will receive an advance payment of ₹8,000 on 20 February 2026, including a special Bihu grant. The scheme will pause temporarily in March and April and resume in May.
The government will launch a new scheme, Babu Asoni, to support male students in higher education. From February 2026, eligible postgraduate students will receive ₹2,000 per month and undergraduates ₹1,000 per month, subject to income criteria. Dibrugarh is planned to become the state’s second capital within three years to decentralise administration, and Assam will be the first state in India to constitute an eighth State Pay Commission to address employee welfare.
Jobs, welfare and security
Dr Sarma reported delivery of 1.46 lakh government jobs to date, with a target of two lakh. Nearly one lakh youths have received self-employment loans without mortgage requirements. Welfare coverage includes 32 lakh women under Mahila Udyamita, 70 lakh beneficiaries receiving food security assistance, 3.9 lakh students granted free college admission, and 3 lakh people granted land rights under Mission Basundhara. The state also reported 26 lakh families now accessing cashless medical treatment.
On law and order, registered criminal cases have fallen from 1.33 lakh in 2021 to 43,748, while charge-sheeting rates have increased to between 81% and 91% and conviction rates have improved to 26.38%, nearing the national average. Authorities say narcotics worth ₹2,900–₹3,000 crore have been seized in the past five years and nearly 2,000 foreign nationals have been returned after due process.
Connectivity and future plans
Infrastructure projects are central to the government’s strategy. Four new bridges over the Brahmaputra are under development, including Jorhat–Majuli, Palashbari–Sualkuchi, Guwahati–North Guwahati and Dhubri–Phulbari. The Guwahati–North Guwahati bridge is scheduled to open in February 2026, with the others due by 2027. Work has begun on the Guwahati Ring Road and Narengi–Kuruwa bridge, while the Prime Minister is set to lay the foundation stone for a 34.45 km elevated corridor costing ₹6,957 crore.
Dr Sarma also highlighted a proposed ₹20,000 crore twin-tube underwater tunnel with rail connectivity between Gohpur and Numaligarh, which is pending Union Cabinet approval. The combination of fiscal gains, expanded welfare and high-profile infrastructure projects underpins the government’s pitch to investors and aims to position Assam as a gateway for commerce and industry in India’s northeast.
Key Takeaways:
- Assam economic growth recorded a 45% rise in GSDP from 2020–25, with per capita income up 54%.
- Major 2026 measures include advance Orunodoi payments, the new Babu Asoni student scheme and plans to make Dibrugarh a second capital.
- Infrastructure push features new Brahmaputra bridges, a proposed twin-tube underwater tunnel and an elevated Guwahati corridor.
- Law-and-order gains include reduced registered crimes, higher charge-sheeting and increased narcotics seizures.
