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Students & EducationOfficial Info Verified
Medhashree
Government of West Bengal 100% state-funded pre-matric scholarship providing ₹800 per year to eligible OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in government and aided schools.
Department: Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal
Annual Scholarship
₹800 / Year
Per student per year
Eligible Classes
Classes V – VIII
Pre-matric level
Target Community
Eligible OBC Students
Other Backward Classes
Scheme Funding
100% State Funded
Govt of West Bengal Budget
Language:
Scheme Overview
What is Medhashree?
Medhashree is a dedicated pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal during the 2022–23 financial year. Administered by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Medhashree was introduced to bridge the financial gap and ensure continuous support for OBC students following the discontinuation of central pre-matric assistance for Classes V–VIII. The initiative is fully funded from the State Budget, providing an annual scholarship grant of ₹800 directly to eligible students via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Primary Purpose:To provide financial assistance and educational encouragement to eligible Other Backward Classes (OBC) students enrolled in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools, reducing dropout risks and fostering continuous school education.
Key Scheme Objectives
- Provide guaranteed annual pre-matric financial assistance of ₹800 to eligible OBC school students in Classes V to VIII.
- Minimize financial distress and reduce school dropout rates among underprivileged backward class families.
- Ensure 100% state-funded scholarship coverage following the withdrawal of central pre-matric support for Classes V–VIII.
- Enable transparent, direct-to-bank annual disbursements through automated Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Financial Framework
Scholarship Structure & Historical Budget Performance
Medhashree is an annual pre-matric educational scholarship grant of ₹800 per student. It is NOT a monthly stipend or household cash allowance, and it does not require repayment.
Annual Benefit
₹800
Target Education Level
Classes 5 to 8
Reported Beneficiaries
6.65 Lakh
Reported Expenditure
₹53.24 Crore
Inception Period
FY 2022–23
Nodal Department
BCW Dept
Why Medhashree Was Introduced in West Bengal
Following the withdrawal of the Central Government’s pre-matric scholarship support for OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII, the Government of West Bengal instituted the Medhashree Scheme entirely from the State Budget to ensure that underprivileged OBC school children continue to receive uninterrupted financial assistance for their education.
Clear Distinction from Other State Scholarships:
Medhashree vs. Shikshashree (মেধাশ্রী বনাম শিক্ষাশ্রী)
Medhashree is specifically for eligible OBC students in Classes V–VIII (₹800/yr). Shikshashree is a separate state scholarship for eligible SC/ST students in Classes V–VIII.
Medhashree vs. Aikyashree (মেধাশ্রী বনাম ঐক্যশ্রী)
Medhashree covers OBC category students, whereas Aikyashree is a dedicated scholarship programme for minority community students.
Medhashree vs. SVMCM (মেধাশ্রী বনাম স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ স্কলারশিপ)
Medhashree is a pre-matric school grant (Classes V–VIII). SVMCM is a higher education merit-cum-means scholarship (Class XI to PhD) with distinct monthly rates and merit criteria.
Combined Scholarship Context in Budget 2026–27:
The 2026–27 West Bengal Budget Speech highlights that state scholarship initiatives (including Aikyashree, Shikhashree, and Medhashree) have collectively benefited over 4.5 crore students across SC, ST, OBC, minority, and economically weaker sections.
Annual Grant Breakdown
The benefit amount is fixed at ₹800 per student per academic year upon successful school and departmental verification, credited directly via DBT.
Eligibility Guidelines
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Review standard qualifying conditions, income limits, and applicable waiver categories. Read our guide on understanding eligibility
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- Student must belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category
- Student must be actively studying in Class V, VI, VII, or VIII
- Enrolled in a Government, Government-Sponsored, or Government-Aided school in West Bengal
- Student must satisfy applicable departmental verification and institutional rules
Not Eligible:
- Students studying in Class IX, X, XI, XII or college/university levels (covered by other schemes).
- Students studying in private un-aided schools not covered by the government grant framework.
- Students belonging to General, SC, or ST categories (SC/ST covered separately under Shikshashree).
School & Portal Processing
Institutional Verification & Departmental Process
School Administration Channel
Beneficiary enrollment and verification for Medhashree are conducted through the Government’s prescribed scholarship administration system with institutional support from respective schools. Students and parents should coordinate with their school authorities during active notification cycles.
Annual Payment Clarification
₹800 is an Annual Scholarship (Not Monthly)
The financial benefit under Medhashree is ₹800 per student per year. It is designed to assist with school education expenses such as notebooks, uniforms, and learning materials.
Required Documentation
Commonly Required Documents
Exact document requirements can depend on the application type and applicant circumstances. View our common documents checklist
Standard
Valid OBC Caste Certificate / Proof of OBC Category
Official OBC certificate issued by competent administrative authority or verified community proof.
Standard
School Enrollment / Present Class Proof (Class V–VIII)
School ID card, admission receipt, or certificate from the Head of the Institution.
Standard
Student Bank Account Passbook Copy
Bank passbook clearly displaying Account Number, IFSC code, and student/guardian name.
Guidance: Ensure the applicant’s bank account is active and matches the beneficiary name exactly before institutional submission.
Application Process
How to Apply for Medhashree
Step-by-step application and verification procedure based on official guidelines. Read our official portals guide
1
Notification & School Guidance
Review active Medhashree application guidelines announced by the Backward Classes Welfare Department through schools.
2
Submission of Details at School
Submit student details, OBC category certificate, and bank account passbook copy to the school authority.
3
Institutional Verification & Portal Entry
The Head of the Institution verifies student enrollment and forwards the data through the designated scholarship system.
4
Departmental Sanction & DBT Disbursement
Upon final approval by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, the annual scholarship of ₹800 is credited via DBT.
Payment Method
Disbursed directly into the student’s bank account annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Official Portal & Tracking
Access the official Government portal for online services, guidelines, and application tracking.
Open Official BCW Department PortalScheme Inception:Introduced by Government of West Bengal in FY 2022–23
Important to Know
Medhashree is an annual pre-matric scholarship providing ₹800 per student per year, not a monthly stipend.
Strictly covers eligible OBC students studying in Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII.
Applicable in Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools across West Bengal.
Fully funded by the Government of West Bengal from the State Budget.
Distinct from Shikshashree (which covers SC/ST students) and Aikyashree (minority students).
Disbursement is processed transparently via automated Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Frequently Asked Questions
Medhashree Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding eligibility, benefits, documents, and application process for Medhashree.
Medhashree is a 100% State Government-funded pre-matric scholarship for eligible OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools in West Bengal.
Sources Checked
All factual information on this page has been compiled and verified against official government portals, gazettes, and departmental guidelines.
Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal — Important Schemes
Government of West Bengal — Official Schemes Repository
Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2023–24
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2024–25
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2025–26
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2026–27
Last Verified: 2026-08-18T00:00:00Z
Independent Platform Notice:
WBScheme is an independent information platform and is not the Government of West Bengal. Medhashree eligibility, application procedures, verification, payment and continuation rules may change. Always verify the latest information through the Government of West Bengal, Backward Classes Welfare Department and the concerned school before applying.
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