West Bengal scholarships have begun from June 1, 2025 and will continue till December 2025. The scholarships in the state are meant for students who are domiciled in the state at both school and college levels. These scholarships aim to support meritorious, deserving, and underprivileged students of West Bengal. They are run by the government of West Bengal and its subsidiary departments. Moreover, the state is home to several reputed institutions of higher education—such as the Indian Institute of Management (Kolkata), Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (Kolkata), and National Institute of Technology (Durgapur) —which further enhances access to quality education for students in the state.
West Bengal offers a range of scholarships to support students from various educational and social backgrounds. The following are key scholarships in the state.
In order to check the application status of West Bengal Scholarships, given below is the step by step process.
3. Is there a universal list of documents required for most West Bengal scholarship applications, or do requirements vary significantly by scheme?
– While each West Bengal scholarship might have specific demands, there’s a largely consistent set of core documents you’ll need. Here’s a general master list that will cover most applications:
West Bengal Scholarship List
List of scholarships in West Bengal:
| Scholarship | Provider |
| Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Junior Scholarship | Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) |
| Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Senior Scholarship | Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities, West Bengal | West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST, West Bengal | Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, West Bengal | Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Talent Support Stipend Programme, West Bengal | West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa | Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal |
| Nabanna Scholarship | Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Government of West Bengal |
| Hindi Scholarship Scheme, West Bengal | Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal |
West Bengal Scholarship 2025 Key Dates
The West Bengal government offers a variety of scholarships aimed at supporting students from diverse backgrounds. The table below lists the key scholarships along with their application timelines for the 2025–26 academic cycle.
Application windows for West Bengal scholarships:
| Scholarship | Application open | Application close |
| Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (Junior & Senior) | 1 June 2025 | 31 July 2025 |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities, West Bengal | 2nd week of November 2025 (tentative) | 2nd week of March 2026 (tentative) |
| Post‑Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students, West Bengal | 1 June, 2025 | 31 December, 2025 |
| Pre‑Matric Scholarship for SC Students, West Bengal | 1 June, 2025 | 31 December, 2025 |
| Talent Support Stipend Programme, West Bengal | — | 30 March 2025 |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa | 31 March 2025 | 31 May 2025 |
| Nabanna Scholarship | Open year‑round | No fixed deadline |
| Hindi Scholarship Scheme, West Bengal | To be announced | To be announced |
West Bengal Scholarships Eligibility and Awards
In the following sections we will focus on the details of each scholarship including its award amount and eligibility criteria.
- Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Junior Scholarship: The Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Junior Scholarship is an initiative managed by the Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS). Established in 1958 in honour of Acharya J.C. Bose, this program aims to support young scholars showcasing scientific talent. The objective of this test is to identify, nurture and motivate talented students to achieve their scientific goals and develop their innovative minds.
- Eligibility:
- Applicants must be Indian nationals domiciled in West Bengal or in one of the following states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
- Applicants should have passed the Class 10 examination in the academic year immediately preceding the scholarship year (or later) with a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent CGPA in aggregate.
- They must be currently enrolled in Class 11 (science stream) in a recognised school/institute in West Bengal or one of the listed states during the academic year of the scholarship.
- They must have chosen at least three of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics and Computer Science.
- Awards:
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- ₹1,250 per month for two years, i.e. till the completion of Class 12.
- ₹2,500 per annum as a book grant, along with exposure to seminars and workshops designed for young scholars.
- Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Senior Scholarship: The Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Senior Scholarship is an initiative managed by the Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS). Through systematic research into the educational needs of gifted individuals, the program supports the development of undergraduate students in Basic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in accredited institutions located in West Bengal. Its primary goal is to nurture scientific talent and meet the nation’s demand for skilled professionals in science and technology.
- Eligibility:
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- Applicants must be Indian nationals domiciled in West Bengal or in one of the following states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
- Applicants must have passed the higher senior secondary or equivalent examination in the current scholarship year.
- They should be enrolled in an undergraduate program in B.Sc. (Honours), Engineering, or Medicine in any of the registered institutions in West Bengal.
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- Awards:
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- A monthly scholarship of ₹4,000 and an annual book grant of ₹5,000 for 4/5 years until completion of B.Tech./B.E./MBBS/BS-MS./M.Sc. degree. This is applicable for STST and SBKMB, both.
- For SBKMB only: Students pursuing a Master’s degree in Basic Sciences are eligible for a research grant of ₹80,000 per year (₹60,000 + ₹20,000), in accordance with DST INSPIRE norms and regulations set by the Government of India.
- Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities: Launched by the West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, this scheme aims to provide financial assistance to students from minority communities. Students studying beyond class 11 are eligible for this scholarship.
- Eligibility:
-
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- Students must be an Indian national.
- They must be a domicile of West Bengal.
- Students studying in Class 11 up to the postgraduate level at an institution located in West Bengal.
- The applicant must belong to the minority community (Buddhist, Christian, Jain Muslim, Parsee & Sikh) of West Bengal.
- Students at the Class 11 to undergraduate UG level must have scored at least 60% marks in their last qualifying exam.
- Postgraduate students must have scored at least 53% marks in their last qualifying exam.
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- Awards:
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- Scholarship amount ranges from ₹1000 – ₹5000 per month, depending on the level and course of study.
- Post‑Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students, West Bengal: Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students is an initiative of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal for SC/ST students from Class 11 up to the postgraduate level. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to SC/ST students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stages to enable them to complete their education. The selected candidates will receive a maintenance allowance of up to ₹1,200.
- Eligibility:
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- Must be a domicile of West Bengal.
- Must belong to SC/ST category.
- Must be studying in Class 11, Class 12, undergraduate, or postgraduate levels.
- Must have an annual family income less than ₹2,50,000.
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- Awards:
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- Scholarship amount ranges from ₹220 – ₹1200 per month depending on the level of study, course of study and mode of study (Hosteller/Dayscholars).
- Pre‑Matric Scholarship for SC, West Bengal: Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, West Bengal is an initiative of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, aimed at SC students studying in Classes 9 and 10.
- Eligibility:
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- Must be a domicile of West Bengal.
- Must belong to the SC category.
- Must be a student of Class 9 or Class 10.
- Must have an annual income of less than ₹2,00,000.
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- Awards:
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- ₹750 per month for 10 months and Adhoc Grant ₹1,000 per annum for hostellers.
- ₹150 per month for 10 months and Adhoc Grant ₹750 per annum for day scholars.
- Talent Support Stipend Programme, West Bengal: Talent Support Stipend Programme, West Bengal is an initiative of the West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, Government of West Bengal, for students belonging to minority community pursuing studies from Class 11 to Ph.D. level within the state.
- Eligibility:
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- Students must be an Indian citizen.
- Must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Must belong to one of the designated minority communities: Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi.
- Must be currently enrolled in studies from Class 11 to Ph.D. level at a recognised institution within the state.
- They must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in the last qualifying examination.
- Should have an annual family income of less than ₹2,00,000 from all sources.
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- Awards:
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- The selected candidates will receive financial assistance up to ₹4,900.
- Kanyashree Prakalpa: Department of Women Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal has introduced the Kanyashree Prakalpa—a conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at improving the status and well-being of the girl child in West Bengal by incentivizing schooling of all teenage girls and aims to delay their marriage until the legal age of 18.
- Eligibility:
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- Must be a resident of West Bengal.
- Age must be between 13 to 18 years.
- Must be unmarried.
- Must be enrolled in classes VIII to XII in government recognized schools.
- Family income must be less than ₹1,20,000 per annum.
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- Awards:
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- All eligible girl children will get an annual scholarship of ₹500 and one-time grant of ₹25,000 under this scheme.
- Nabanna Scholarship: The Nabanna Scholarship also known as the West Bengal Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Scholarship, is an initiative implemented by The Government of West Bengal. This scholarship intends to support students who have successfully completed key educational milestones, including the Madhyamik (Class 10), Higher Secondary (Class 12), and various University Examinations (UG/PG).
- Eligibility:
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- Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹1,20,000.
- Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship or stipend for the same course or level of study.
- Required marks in the relevant examinations are as follows:
- 10+2 level: At least 50% marks but less than 60% in the Madhyamik (Class 10) examination.
- Undergraduate level: At least 50% marks but less than 60% in the Higher Secondary (Class 12) examination.
- Postgraduate level: At least 50% marks but less than 53% in graduation.
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- Awards:
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- The scholars selected for this scholarship will receive ₹10,000 per year for their current academic course.
- Hindi Scholarship Scheme, West Bengal: Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal has announced the Hindi Scholarship Scheme for students of West Bengal who are studying in higher secondary, graduation, post graduation and research (M.Phil, Ph.D. or M.Litt., etc). The aim of this scheme is to promote the study of Hindi in Non-Hindi speaking states like West Bengal.
- Eligibility:
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- Must be a student who belongs to a non-Hindi speaking state and residing in West Bengal.
- Must have passed the madhyamik, higher secondary, graduation, post graduation or any other equivalent degree.
- Must have taken admission in a recognized full-time course with Hindi as the sole subject or as one of the combination subjects in the same year.
- Must have passed the previous qualifying examination in the first attempt with at least 60% marks, with Hindi as one of the subjects.
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- Awards:
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- Higher secondary stage: The amount of scholarship per month is ₹300 and the quota is 143.
- Graduation (UG) stage: The amount of scholarship per month is ₹500 and the quota is 72.
- Post-Graduation (PG) as well as Research stage: The amount of scholarship per month is ₹1000 and the quota is 24.
How To Apply for West Bengal Scholarship 2025?
Once a student understands the eligibility criteria they need to fulfil, they can proceed to apply for the respective scholarship. Each scholarship has its distinctive approach to application. While some scholarships invite applications offline through post or in person, many scholarship providers have adopted the online approach for students’ applications. In fact, the Government of West Bengal also operates its dedicated scholarship portal called the OASIS Scholarship Portal for the convenience of students. Refer to the table below to learn how to apply for a WB scholarship.
| Scholarship | Scholarship Portal |
| Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Junior Scholarship | wbmdfc.org |
| Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search Senior Scholarship | wbmdfc.org |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities, West Bengal | wbmdfconline.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST, West Bengal | oasis.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, West Bengal | oasis.gov.in |
| Talent Support Stipend Programme, West Bengal | wbmdfc.org |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa | wbkanyashree.gov.in |
| Nabanna Scholarship | cmrf.wb.gov.in |
| Hindi Scholarship Scheme, West Bengal | oasis.gov.in |
Track Application Status
- As per the application, visit the Scholarship Portal.
- Click on the Track Application available on the homepage.
- When the page opens, enter the application number.
- Fill the Captcha in the Captcha Box.
- Click on Track Application.
West Bengal Scholarship 2025 – FAQs
1. Are there any West Bengal scholarships available for academically weak students?
– Yes, there are West Bengal scholarships available catering to students whose academics isn’t the strongest pursuit. For example, the Talent Support Stipend Programme.
2. Do we have to be a resident of West Bengal in order to receive the scholarship?
– Yes, it is a primary requirement that every scholar must meet in order to be eligible for the West Bengal scholarship.
– While each West Bengal scholarship might have specific demands, there’s a largely consistent set of core documents you’ll need. Here’s a general master list that will cover most applications:
- Proof of Domicile
- Academic Mark Sheets/Certificates
- Income Certificate
- Bank Account Details
- Passport-size Photograph
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Admission Receipt/Fee Structure
- Self-Declaration Form
- Recommendation Letter
4. Is there a common portal for applying for the West Bengal Scholarships?
– No, West Bengal Scholarships don’t have a common portal for application. Some of the scholarships are applied using the Oasis portal that is administered by the Backward Classes Welfare Department of the West Bengal government, some scholarships are managed through the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation online portal and some through the NSP, National Scholarship Portal.
5. Do West Bengal scholarships offer support beyond financial aid, such as mentorship or career guidance?
– While the primary focus of most West Bengal scholarships is financial assistance, some programs and associated initiatives are indeed moving towards offering more holistic support. The Kanyashree Prakalpa, for example, isn’t just about cash transfers; it actively aims to empower adolescent girls through awareness campaigns, the formation of Kanyashree clubs in schools, and the promotion of role models, indirectly fostering social and psychological empowerment and laying a foundation for future career choices.