The Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme for Minorities, West Bengal 2022-23 is a program implemented by the Government of West Bengal through the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, in collaboration with the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation. Its aim is to provide financial assistance to students belonging to minority communities from Class 11 to postgraduate levels. Successful applicants will be granted a monthly stipend of up to INR 8,000 per month.
On September 2, 2021, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made an important announcement regarding the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme. As per her announcement, those students who have secured 60% marks in the West Bengal board exams will be considered eligible for this scholarship scheme.
Update: Registration for SVMCM Fresh and Renewal applications has started for the 2022-23 session (Only for Class 11 and Class 12). The registration opening date was August 17, 2022, and the closing date was June 30, 2023.
SVMCM Scholarship 2022-23 – Two Crucial Announcements
CM Banerjee made two crucial announcements that would immensely benefit the state’s students’ community.
- She stated that the eligibility criteria have been revised from the initial 75% to 60% at present to help more students avail benefits from this initiative.
- To make the students of West Bengal aware of the developments taking place in different education fields on a global level, a “career guidance portal” is being introduced. Through this portal, students can access the curriculum and other activities of all well-known educational institutions across the globe.
Details of the SVMCM Scholarship Scheme
- The Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means scholarship amount varies from INR 1,000 to INR 8,000 per month.
- Meritorious students belonging to economically backward families will receive this scholarship to pursue higher studies.
- The amount benefits the students of Classes 11 and 12 at the undergraduate level in science, arts and commerce, engineering, medical and technical or professional courses, studying in regular mode.
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The scholarship scheme includes postgraduate, M.Phil., and doctoral students from state-aided institutions.
CM Urges Students to Serve Bengal
During the virtual interaction with students on Thursday, Banerjee advised them to remain focused and not get distracted or give up in the face of challenges and difficulties. She stated, “Always be positive, think positive, feel positive as negative thoughts adversely affect us. Depression is our enemy.”
Adding to her statement, she pointed out the need for more neurologists in WB. The Chief Minister requested all students through the press conference to come back and serve Bengal even if they go abroad for higher studies. Recollecting her school days and appreciating the work of teachers during this pandemic, she said, “Whatever the situation may be, our teachers are our assets as they provide the best education to our children.”
CM Felicitates Board Pass outs
On September 2, 2021, the West Bengal CM felicitated at least 1,700 pass-out successful candidates from all 23 districts of the secondary, higher secondary and Madrasa examinations. The entire ceremony was conducted virtually from Nabanna, considering the ongoing current pandemic.
According to regional news channels, all students received laptops and books authored by renowned Bengal writers as gifts.
Due to the absence of a merit list from the ICSE and CBSE Boards, students from these boards were not honoured during the ceremony. However, all students who passed the Board examinations this year will receive a congratulatory letter from the Chief Minister.
For more details, read Swami Vivekananda Scholarship (SVMCM) – A Merit-Cum-Means Based Scheme
