Banishree Scholarship – Registration, Eligibility and Benefits

The Banishree Scholarship is specifically designed to support students with special needs, providing them with financial assistance to pursue their education and access technical, professional, or vocational training.

The primary objective of the scheme is to empower these students by removing financial barriers and encouraging them to continue their studies. By doing so, it aims to help them develop valuable skills, enhance their employability, and ultimately enable them to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Banishree Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2025

To be considered for the Banishree Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:

1. The applicant must be a bona fide resident of Odisha.

2. The applicant should be enrolled as a regular student in a recognized educational institution.

3. The total annual family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹60,000.

4. The applicant should not be receiving any other financial assistance, stipend, or scholarship from the state or central government under any other scheme.

5. The scholarship will be continued as long as the student remains enrolled and regularly attends a recognized institution, regardless of whether they pass or fail in a particular academic year.

Also Read: Odisha Scholarship

Banishree Scholarship 2025: Eligible Courses

This section explains which types of students the scheme applies to across all education levels. The scheme applies to students pursuing:

Primary education (Class I to V)
Middle and high school (Class VI to X)
Higher secondary, graduation and post-graduation
Special schools registered under the PWD Act and not receiving grants
Distance education through recognized universities
Technical, vocational, or professional education in any recognized institute

Also Read: Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana Scholarship

Banishree Scholarship Awards and Benefits 2025

Category	Monthly allowance
Inside the State
Primary School	₹400
Middle and High School	₹500
College (+2 & +3)	₹600
Postgraduate (P.G.)	₹700
Technical & Vocational Training	₹700
Outside the State
Courses not available in the state	₹700
Reader’s Allowance
Primary classes (visually impaired)	₹200
Middle and High School (visually impaired)	₹300
Higher studies (visually impaired or other cases)	₹400
Transport Allowance
Orthopaedically handicapped students with 75%+ disability requiring special transport	₹200

Also Read: e-Medhabruti Scholarship Scheme

Banishree Scholarship 2025 – Mode of payment

A brief yet important procedural detail that ensures clarity about how scholarship money reaches students. The scholarship amount is deposited directly into the student’s bank account. Students above 18 years must have an individual account, while minors must open a joint account with a parent/guardian. Payments are made in two installments per academic year and only after verifying regular attendance. The scholarship is paid from the month of admission through the final exam month. Absence up to three months on medical grounds does not stop payment.

Banishree Scholarship Documents Required

The document lists mandatory certificates that must accompany each application. These include:

Disability certificate issued by a Medical Board
Income certificate from a Revenue Officer (Tahasildar or above)
Marksheet of the last exam
For BPL students, income certificate is not required

Banishree Scholarship Application Process 2025

The section includes a step-by-step explanation of how to apply. Steps include:

1. Collect the Banishree application form (Annexure I)

2. Fill in student details, disability type, class, income details

3. Attach required documents

4. Submit the form to the head of the institution

5. Institution verifies and forwards the application

6. Sanctioning authority approves

7. Bank account is opened where needed

8. Scholarship credited in two installments

Banishree Scholarship – General Rules and Conditions

This subtopic summarizes the rules that govern the scheme beyond eligibility and rates. General conditions include:

Changing schools does not result in losing scholarship
Any dispute regarding sanction can be appealed to the District Collector
Government reserves the right to amend or relax guidelines at any time
Additional support is available for visually challenged and orthopedically handicapped students

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the Banishree Scholarship?

Students who are bona fide residents of Odisha, have a certified disability, are enrolled in a recognized educational institution, and meet the income eligibility criteria can apply. They must also not be receiving any other scholarship from the State or Central Government.

Which categories of students are covered under the scheme?

The scheme applies to students pursuing primary, middle, high school, higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, special school education, distance education, and technical or vocational courses in recognized institutions.

What financial assistance is provided under the Banishree Scholarship?

Students receive a monthly allowance based on their level of education. Additional allowances include a Reader’s Allowance for visually challenged students and a Transport Allowance for orthopedically handicapped students with 75 percent or more disability.

Is the scholarship available for students studying outside Odisha?

Yes. Students pursuing general, technical, vocational, or professional education outside the state, for courses not available in Odisha and not covered by Government of India scholarships, receive ₹250 per month.

Does a student lose the scholarship if they fail an exam?

No. The scholarship continues as long as the student remains enrolled and maintains regular attendance, even if they do not pass in a particular academic year.

How is the scholarship amount disbursed?

The amount is directly deposited into the student's bank account in two installments per academic year. Students aged 18 and above must have their own account, while minors require a joint account with a parent or guardian.