Jharkhand: The education sector in Jharkhand is facing growing concern as schools and intermediate colleges located in Tribal Sub-Plan areas may lose their government grant benefits for the financial year 2025–26. This situation has emerged after significant changes were introduced in the state government’s newly launched online grant portal. Representatives of unaided educational institutions have raised serious objections, warning that unless immediate corrective steps are taken, hundreds of schools serving vulnerable communities could be severely affected.
For many years, government grants have played a crucial role in supporting schools and intermediate colleges across Jharkhand. These grants are especially important for institutions operating in rural regions, tribal belts, and areas with limited infrastructure. Under the Grant Regulations of 2015, educational institutions were classified into different categories to ensure fair distribution of financial assistance. This system recognized that schools in tribal and remote areas face challenges very different from those in urban or general regions.
The earlier framework included multiple slabs that considered geography, social context, and the type of institution. Because of this structure, girls’ schools and institutions located in tribal regions were eligible for additional support. The removal of these distinctions has now created uncertainty and anxiety among school managements and teachers.
One of the most serious issues highlighted by educators is the removal of institutional categories from the new grant application form. Earlier, institutions were classified under different groups that included general institutions, rural institutions, and schools or colleges located in tribal areas, including girls’ institutions. This categorization ensured that grants were distributed in a balanced and inclusive manner.
With the absence of these categories in the new portal, many institutions fear that their unique circumstances are no longer being acknowledged. Schools in districts such as Gumla, Lohardaga, Simdega, Khunti, Chatra, and the Santhal Pargana region, as well as areas like West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan, are particularly vulnerable. These regions have historically depended on special provisions due to socio-economic and geographical challenges.
The education department has made online submission of grant applications compulsory for the 2025–26 financial year. While digital systems are meant to improve efficiency and transparency, the sudden shift has created multiple obstacles for institutions on the ground. Many schools are struggling to access the portal due to technical and administrative issues.
A major problem relates to U-DISE codes and e-Vidyavahini login credentials. In several cases, these details do not match the records available on the department’s database. Passwords were reportedly changed earlier by education officials or school heads, and the lack of synchronization has now resulted in login failures. As a consequence, schools are unable to even begin the application process.
Beyond login issues, infrastructural limitations have further complicated the situation. Rural and tribal regions often face frequent power outages, unstable internet connectivity, and limited access to technical support. The new portal has also been reported to suffer from server downtime, heavy traffic, and slow page loading, especially during peak hours.
These challenges make it extremely difficult for school administrators, many of whom have limited digital training, to complete detailed online forms. More than fifty schools and intermediate colleges have already submitted written complaints to the office of the Director of Secondary Education, highlighting these practical difficulties.
The Vittarahit Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha, representing unaided teachers and institutions, has been at the forefront of raising these issues. Leaders of the organization have stated that the current system directly violates the provisions of the Grant Regulations, 2015. According to them, ignoring institutional categories undermines the principle of equitable funding.
The Morcha has emphasized that girls’ schools and institutions in tribal areas are likely to be the worst affected. Without proper categorization, these schools may be assessed on the same parameters as well-equipped urban institutions, which could lead to unfair rejection or reduced grant amounts.
To prevent large-scale exclusion, the Morcha has urged the education department to temporarily relax the mandatory requirement of U-DISE and e-Vidyavahini credentials. They have also demanded the restoration of the previous slab-based system that acknowledged different types of institutions.
Another key demand is the extension of the deadline for submitting online grant applications. The current last date is January 5, 2026, but educators argue that this timeline is unrealistic given the technical hurdles. They have requested that the deadline be extended to January 15, 2026, allowing schools sufficient time to resolve issues and complete submissions.
In an effort to seek immediate intervention, representatives of the Morcha have announced plans to submit a formal memorandum to the Education Secretary and the Director of Secondary Education. This memorandum is intended to highlight the risks faced by institutions in tribal and rural areas and to press for urgent corrective measures.
If the issues remain unresolved, there is growing fear that many schools may be deprived of essential financial support, directly affecting teachers’ livelihoods and students’ education. The situation underscores the importance of designing digital systems that are inclusive, flexible, and sensitive to ground realities, especially in states with diverse social and geographical conditions like Jharkhand.
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