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Students & EducationOfficial Info Verified
Shikshashree
Government of West Bengal pre-matric scholarship providing ₹800 per year via DBT to eligible SC and ST day-scholar students in Classes V to VIII in government and recognized schools.
Department: Backward Classes Welfare Department / Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal
Annual Scholarship
₹800 / Year
Per student per year
Eligible Classes
Classes V – VIII
Pre-matric level
Target Groups
SC & ST Day Scholars
Hostellers are excluded
Disbursement Mode
DBT Mode
To student bank account
Language:
Scheme Overview
What is Shikshashree?
Shikshashree (also rendered as Sikshashree / Shiksha Shree) is an established pre-matric scholarship initiative of the Government of West Bengal administered through the Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Development Department. Initiated in the 2014–15 financial year by merging the earlier Book Grant and Maintenance Grant arrangements into a unified, streamlined scheme, Shikshashree provides an annual scholarship of ₹800 directly into the individual bank accounts of eligible SC and ST day-scholar students in Classes V to VIII studying in Government, Government-aided, or Government-recognized schools across the state.
Primary Purpose:To provide annual financial assistance of ₹800 to eligible Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) day-scholar students studying in Classes V to VIII, improving pre-matric school participation, minimizing dropout rates, and supporting education for underprivileged children.
Key Scheme Objectives
- Provide structured annual financial assistance of ₹800 to eligible SC and ST day scholars in Classes V to VIII.
- Minimize pre-matric school dropout rates and promote continued education among underprivileged backward class families.
- Encourage girl students and marginalized children to participate actively in regular schooling.
- Deliver direct, transparent scholarship payments into individual student bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Financial Framework
Scholarship Structure, Inception & Coverage Data
Shikshashree provides an annual pre-matric grant of ₹800 per student credited directly through Direct Benefit Transfer. It is an educational grant, NOT a monthly pension or cash allowance.
Annual Scholarship Amount
₹800
General Family Income Limit
₹2.5 Lakh / Yr
2023–24 SC Coverage (Dec 2023)
9.75 Lakh+
2022–23 Reported Expenditure
₹26.38 Crore
Inception Timeline
FY 2014–15
Target Beneficiaries
SC & ST
Shikshashree is Exclusively for Day-Scholar Students
The official Shikshashree SOP and FAQ specifically state that the scheme is designed for day scholars attending Classes V to VIII. Hosteller students residing in government or school hostels are outside the ambit of this scheme (they are covered under separate hostel maintenance grant schemes).
Clear Distinction from Other State Schemes:
Shikshashree vs. Medhashree (শিক্ষাশ্রী বনাম মেধাশ্রী)
Shikshashree is specifically for eligible SC and ST day scholars in Classes V–VIII (₹800/yr). Medhashree is a separate state scholarship for eligible OBC students in Classes V–VIII (₹800/yr).
Shikshashree vs. SVMCM (শিক্ষাশ্রী বনাম স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ স্কলারশিপ)
Shikshashree covers school pre-matric students (Classes V–VIII, ₹800/yr). SVMCM is a higher education scholarship covering Class XI to PhD with monthly rates up to ₹8,000/mo.
Shikshashree vs. Taposili Bandhu / Jai Johar Pensions
Shikshashree is a school education scholarship for children (₹800/yr). Taposili Bandhu (SC) and Jai Johar (ST) are monthly social security pensions (₹1,000/mo) for elderly persons aged 60+.
Historical Inception Context:
Shikshashree was introduced by the Government of West Bengal in FY 2014–15 by streamlining and merging the earlier separate Book Grant and Maintenance Grant programmes into a single, efficient scholarship mechanism.
Annual Grant Breakdown
The benefit amount is fixed at ₹800 per student per academic year, credited directly into the student’s individual bank account 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 Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category
- Student must be a day scholar actively studying in Class V, VI, VII, or VIII
- Permanent resident of West Bengal enrolled in a Government, Government-aided, or Government-recognized school
- Annual family income should generally not exceed ₹2,50,000 (₹2.5 Lakh per year)
- Student has been promoted to the next class and is not receiving any other government scholarship
Not Eligible:
- Hosteller students residing in government or institutional school hostels (covered under separate hostel grants).
- Students studying in Class IX, X, XI, XII, or college/university levels.
- Students belonging to General or OBC categories (OBC students covered under Medhashree).
School-Based Application Process
Apply Through Your School with Prescribed Form
Institutional Processing & Verification
According to official government guidelines, eligible students obtain the prescribed Shikshashree application form from their school, fill in applicant and family details, attach caste/income certificates and bank passbook copies, and submit it to the Head of the Institution for online verification.
Single Scholarship Rule
Student Should Not Receive Any Other Similar Scholarship
The official Shikshashree FAQ states that students receiving another government educational scholarship for the same academic year are not eligible under the scheme rules.
Required Documentation
Commonly Required Documents
Exact document requirements can depend on the application type and applicant circumstances. View our common documents checklist
Standard
SC / ST Caste / Tribe Certificate or Authorized Endorsement
Official caste certificate issued by SDO / DWO or prescribed authorized endorsement in the form.
Standard
Income Certificate / Proof of Family Income
Income certificate issued by competent authority (or salary slip for salaried employees).
Standard
School Enrollment & Promotion Proof (Classes V–VIII)
School ID card, mark sheet, or certificate from the Head of the Institution.
Standard
Individual Bank Account Passbook Copy of Student
Bank passbook clearly displaying Account Number, IFSC code, and student sole/joint name.
Standard
Passport Size Photographs of Student
Recent passport size photo affixed on the prescribed application form.
Guidance: Ensure the applicant’s bank account is active and matches the beneficiary name exactly before institutional submission.
Application Process
How to Apply for Shikshashree
Step-by-step application and verification procedure based on official guidelines. Read our official portals guide
1
Obtain Prescribed Form from School
Collect the official Shikshashree application form from your school or download it from the departmental source.
2
Complete Student & Family Details
Fill in student name, class, SC/ST category, family income, address, and individual bank account details.
3
Attach Required Documents & Photos
Attach caste certificate, income proof, bank passbook copy, and recent passport photo.
4
Submit to Head of Institution
Submit the filled-in application form and enclosures directly to your school authorities.
5
School Verification & DBT Disbursement
The school verifies eligibility, processes the application online, and upon departmental sanction, ₹800 is credited via DBT.
Payment Method
Disbursed directly into the student’s individual 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 Shikshashree PageScheme Inception:Introduced by Government of West Bengal in FY 2014–15
Important to Know
Shikshashree is an annual pre-matric scholarship providing ₹800 per student per year, not a monthly stipend.
Exclusively intended for eligible SC and ST day-scholar students in Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII.
Hosteller students residing in hostels are excluded from the scheme.
General annual family income ceiling is ₹2.5 lakh per annum.
The student must possess an individual bank account for direct DBT transfer.
Created by merging the earlier Book Grant and Maintenance Grant programmes in 2014–15.
Distinct from Medhashree (which covers OBC students) and SVMCM (higher education).
Frequently Asked Questions
Shikshashree Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding eligibility, benefits, documents, and application process for Shikshashree.
Shikshashree is a Government of West Bengal pre-matric scholarship programme providing ₹800 per year to eligible SC and ST day scholars studying in Classes V to VIII.
Sources Checked
All factual information on this page has been compiled and verified against official government portals, gazettes, and departmental guidelines.
Government of West Bengal — West Bengal Shikshasree Scheme Portal
Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal — Important Schemes
Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal
Official Shikshashree Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) & FAQ PDF
Official Shikshashree Application Form (BSK Repository)
West Bengal Finance Department — Budget Speech 2023
West Bengal Finance Department — Economic Review 2023
OASIS Online Scholarship Portal (Govt of West Bengal)
Last Verified: 2026-08-18T00:00:00Z
Independent Platform Notice:
WBScheme is an independent information platform and is not the Government of West Bengal. Shikshashree eligibility, application procedures, verification, scholarship payment and continuation rules may change. Always verify the latest information through the Government of West Bengal, Backward Classes Welfare Department, Tribal Development Department and the concerned school.
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