Medhashree Scholarship Scheme is a pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal that provides Rs. 800 per year to OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government and Government-Aided schools across the state. The West Bengal State Government fully funds the scheme. Apply at oasis.wb.gov.in.
West Bengal Medhashree Scholarship Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Medhashree Scholarship Scheme (Medhashree Prakalpa) |
| Cabinet Approval | January 2023 |
| Implemented From | Financial Year 2022-23 |
| Nodal Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Eligible Students | OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII |
| Eligible Schools | Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools in West Bengal |
| Scholar Type | Day scholars only |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 800 per student per year |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the student’s bank account |
| Annual Beneficiaries | Approximately 2.63 lakh students |
| Funding | Fully funded by the West Bengal State Government |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Portal | oasis.wb.gov.in |
Introduction of West Bengal Medhashree Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight
Every year, thousands of OBC students in West Bengal struggle to continue their education due to financial pressure. When the Central Government discontinued the pre-matric scholarship for OBC students of Classes 1 to 8, many families in West Bengal faced the risk of losing this vital financial support. To fill this gap and ensure no OBC student drops out due to lack of funds, the West Bengal Government launched the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme.
The West Bengal Cabinet approved the scheme in January 2023. The Backwards Classes Welfare Department implements the scheme as a fully state-funded initiative from the financial year 2022-23 onwards. The scheme covers OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools across West Bengal.
Under the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme, every eligible OBC student receives Rs. 800 per year directly into their bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer. The student must be a day scholar, a domicile of West Bengal, and must not be receiving any other government scholarship simultaneously. The scholarship continues from Class V up to Class VIII, subject to the student meeting eligibility conditions every year and getting promoted to the next class.
To apply for a scholarship under the Medhashree Scholarship, students visit oasis.wb.gov.in, complete fresh registration under the Students’ Area, fill in all details, upload the required documents, and submit. The school nodal officer also assists students who need help completing the application process.
Girl Students can now travel free of cost in state-run buses under the Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women and their mothers can apply for monthly assistance of Rs. 3,000/- under Annapurna Yojana by visiting the Jan Kalyan Shivir.
Students and families in West Bengal looking for more education and welfare schemes can explore all available programmes on our West Bengal Government Welfare Schemes List page.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, provides the following financial benefits to eligible OBC students under the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme from the financial year 2022-23 onwards:
- Annual scholarship of Rs. 800 per student per year
- Amount transfers directly into the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Scholarship continues from Class V up to Class VIII, subject to eligibility conditions, every year
- Fully funded by the West Bengal State Government – no central government contribution
- Approximately 2.63 lakh students benefit from this scholarship every year
Important: Several websites incorrectly mention Rs. 800 per month as the scholarship amount. The officially verified scholarship amount under Medhashree is Rs. 800 per year per student, not per month.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, has defined the following eligibility conditions for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme. Students must meet all conditions before applying to the OASIS Scholarship Portal:
- The applicant must be a domicile of West Bengal
- The applicant must belong to the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) category as per notifications of the Backwards Classes Welfare Department
- The applicant must be studying in Class V, VI, VII, or VIII
- The applicant must study in a Government, Government-Sponsored, or Government-Aided school in West Bengal
- The applicant must be a day scholar only – residential or hostel students are not eligible
- The applicant must not be receiving any other pre-matric scholarship or financial assistance from any state or central government scheme
- The applicant must have a valid bank account with the Core Banking System (CBS) facility
- Students studying in institutes outside West Bengal are not eligible
- If a student repeats a class, the scholarship is not available for the repeated year – it continues only upon promotion to the next class
Who Is Not Eligible for the Medashree Scholarship
- Students already receiving any other pre-metric scholarship or financial assistance from any government scheme
- Students studying in residential schools or hostels
- Students studying outside West Bengal
- Students who repeat the same class in a given academic year
Documents Required to be Attached
OBC students must keep the following documents ready before starting the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme application on the OASIS Scholarship Portal. The exact document requirements may vary slightly based on the current year’s portal guidelines:
- Aadhaar Card of the student
- OBC Caste Certificate issued by a competent authority in West Bengal
- Bank passbook with Account Number and IFSC Code (CBS-enabled account mandatory)
- Passport size photograph of the student
- School enrollment or attendance certificate from the institution
- Student identity proof
- Domicile Certificate or residence proof confirming West Bengal residency
- The previous year’s marksheet confirming promotion to the current class
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Medhashree Scholarship Scheme applications are submitted online through the OASIS Scholarship Portal at oasis.wb.gov.in. Before starting the application, keep all documents ready, including your OBC certificate, Aadhaar Card, bank passbook, and previous year marksheet. Your bank account must have the Core Banking System (CBS) facility. Students who already receive any other government scholarship are not eligible to apply.
Method 1: Apply Through the OASIS Scholarship Portal
Step 1: Open oasis.wb.gov.in on your mobile or computer. This is the official scholarship portal of the Government of West Bengal.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on “Students Area”. A new page will open on your screen.
Step 3: Click on “Fresh Registration” if you are applying for the first time. Select your district from the dropdown list to open the application form.
Step 4: Fill in your basic personal information carefully – your name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, gender, district, block, religion, and mobile number. Make sure all details match your Aadhaar card exactly.
Step 5: Enter your school details – school name, class, roll number, and enrollment details. Select the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme from the scholarship category list.
Step 6: Enter your OBC certificate details and bank account details, including your account number and IFSC code. Your bank account must be a CBS-enabled account in your own name.
Step 7: Upload clear scanned copies or photographs of all required documents – OBC certificate, Aadhaar card, bank passbook front page, passport size photograph, previous year marksheet, and school enrollment certificate.
Step 8: Verify all details carefully before submitting. Once satisfied, click the “Submit” button. A User ID and Password will be generated. Save these credentials safely – you will need them to log in and track your application.
Step 9: Log in using your User ID and Password. Complete the remaining eligibility details and click “Final Submit”. Take a printout of the completed application form.
Step 10: Submit the printed application form along with all required documents to your school. Your school’s nodal officer will verify and forward the application for further processing.
Method 2: Apply Through Your School
Step 1: Visit your school and inform your class teacher or the school’s nodal officer that you want to apply for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme. The Backwards Classes Welfare Department assigns nodal officers to each school to help students apply.
Step 2: Carry all required documents to school – OBC certificate, Aadhaar card, bank passbook, passport-size photograph, previous year marksheet, and school enrollment proof.
Step 3: The school nodal officer will assist you in filling and submitting the online application on the OASIS portal. Provide all document originals for verification at the school level.
Step 4: Collect the application reference number or printout after submission. The school will forward your verified application to the department for final processing and scholarship disbursement.
How to Check Your Application Status
Step 1: Visit oasis.wb.gov.in and log in using your User ID and Password generated at the time of registration.
Step 2: Go to the application status section and check the current status of your Medhashree Scholarship Scheme application. If your application is approved, the scholarship amount of Rs. 800 will be transferred directly into your bank account through DBT.
Important: Apply only during the official application window announced by the Backwards Classes Welfare Department each year. Late applications are not accepted. Check anagrasarkalyan.gov.in regularly for the latest application dates and notifications.
Difference Between Medhashree and Shikshashree Scholarship
Many students and parents in West Bengal confuse the Medhashree and Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme because both cover the same classes and school types. The key difference is the student category each scheme serves. The table below clearly explains the difference:
| Particulars | Medhashree Scholarship | Shikshashree Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Category | OBC (Other Backwards Classes) students | SC (Scheduled Caste) students |
| Classes Covered | Class V to VIII | Class V to VIII |
| School Type | Government, Government-Sponsored, Government-Aided schools | Government, Government-Aided, Government-Recognised schools |
| Scholar Type | Day scholars only | Day scholars only |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 800 per year | Rs. 800 per year |
| Nodal Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department |
| Funding | Fully state-funded by the West Bengal Government | Fully state-funded by the West Bengal Government |
| Application Portal | oasis.wb.gov.in | oasis.wb.gov.in |
| Dual Scholarship | Not allowed with any other government scholarship | Not allowed with any other government scholarship |
In simple terms, if you belong to the OBC category, apply for the Medhashree Scholarship. If you belong to the SC category, apply for the Shikshashree Scholarship. Both schemes provide the same annual scholarship amount and cover the same classes, but a student cannot apply for both simultaneously.
Important Links Available
- OASIS Scholarship Portal – Apply for Medhashree Scholarship Scheme
- Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal
- West Bengal Government Official Portal
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Office: Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, Bikash Bhavan, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Helpline: +91-8420023311
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Medhashree is a pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal for OBC (Other Backwards Classes) students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Sponsored, and Government-Aided schools in West Bengal. The scheme is fully funded by the West Bengal State Government and provides an annual scholarship of Rs. 800 per student per year.
Q. Who is eligible for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Sponsored, or Government-Aided schools in West Bengal are eligible. The student must be a domicile of West Bengal, a day scholar, and must not be receiving any other pre-matric scholarship or financial assistance from any government scheme.
Q. What is the scholarship amount under Medhashree?
Ans. The Medhashree Scholarship Scheme provides Rs. 800 per student per year. Several websites incorrectly mention Rs. 800 per month. The officially verified amount is Rs. 800 annually per beneficiary, not per month.
Q. From which financial year did the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme start?
Ans. The West Bengal Cabinet approved the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme in January 2023. The West Bengal State Government fully funds the scheme from the financial year 2022-23 onwards.
Q. Why was the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme introduced?
Ans. The Central Government discontinued the pre-matric scholarship for OBC students of Classes 1 to 8. To continue educational support for OBC students and ensure no student is left without financial assistance, the West Bengal Government launched the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme as a fully state-funded replacement.
Q. Which classes are covered under the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. The Medhashree Scholarship Scheme covers students studying in Classes V, VI, VII, and VIII only. Students who move to Class IX are no longer eligible under this scheme.
Q. Can a student in a private school apply for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. No. The Medhashree Scholarship Scheme is available only to students studying in Government, Government-Sponsored, or Government-Aided schools in West Bengal. Students in private unaided schools are not eligible.
Q. Can a residential school student apply for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. No. Only day scholar students are eligible for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme. Students studying in residential schools or living in hostels are not eligible.
Q. What happens if a student fails and repeats the same class?
Ans. If a student repeats the same class, the scholarship is not available for the repeated year. The scholarship continues only when the student gets promoted to the next class, provided all other eligibility conditions are met.
Q. Can a student receive Medhashree along with another government scholarship?
Ans. No. Students already receiving any other pre-metric scholarship or financial assistance from any state or central government scheme are not eligible for Medhashree. Receiving dual scholarships makes the student liable to refund the Medhashree amount.
Q. How do I apply for the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Visit oasis.wb.gov.in, click on Students’ Area, complete Fresh Registration, fill in all details, upload documents, and submit. You can also visit your school and ask the nodal officer for assistance with the application process.
Q. What is the difference between Medhashree and Shikshashree?
Ans. Medhashree is a pre-metric scholarship for OBC (Other Backwards Classes) students studying in Classes V to VIII. Shikshashree is a pre-matric scholarship for SC (Scheduled Caste) students studying in Classes V to VIII. Both schemes cover the same classes but serve different student categories.
Q. How will I receive the scholarship amount?
Ans. The scholarship amount of Rs. 800 per year is transferred directly into the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The bank account must be CBS-enabled and registered in the student’s name.
Q. Where can I check my Medhashree Scholarship Scheme application status?
Ans. Log in to oasis.wb.gov.in using your User ID and Password generated at the time of registration and check your application status directly on the portal.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.