Nabanna Scholarship Scheme, administered through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) by the Government of West Bengal, provides eligible students with Rs. 10,000 per academic year to support their education. Students can apply online through the CMRF portal or submit an offline application through the prescribed process.
West Bengal Nabanna Scholarship Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Nabanna Scholarship Scheme |
| Administered Under | Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) |
| Implementing Office | Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal |
| Objective | Provide financial assistance to deserving students from economically weaker families |
| Financial Assistance | Rs. 10,000 per academic year |
| Eligible Courses | Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Professional Courses |
| Marks Requirement (HS/UG) | 50% or above but less than 60% |
| Marks Requirement (PG) | 50% or above but less than 53% |
| Annual Family Income Limit | Up to Rs. 1,20,000 |
| Document Upload Deadline | Within 90 days of registration |
| Application Mode | Online through CMRF Portal and Offline Submission |
| Application Availability | Open throughout the year (subject to 365-day reapplication rule) |
| Alternative Scholarship for Higher Scorers | Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM) |
| Helpline | 033-2253 5335 |
| Email Support | wbcmrfedu2020@gmail.com |
| Official Portal | cmrf.wb.gov.in |
Introduction of West Bengal Nabanna Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight
Every year, thousands of students in West Bengal secure decent marks in their examinations but still struggle to continue their education due to financial constraints. Many of them also miss out on merit-based scholarships that require higher scores. To support such students, the Government of West Bengal operates the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
The scheme is administered by the Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal. Its primary objective is to provide financial assistance to deserving students who have secured moderate marks but belong to economically weaker families and need support to pursue higher studies.
What makes the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme different is its focus on students who score between 50% and 60% in qualifying examinations, or between 50% and 53% at the postgraduate level. These students often fall outside the eligibility criteria of many merit-based scholarship programmes despite having genuine academic potential.
Under the scheme, eligible students receive Rs. 10,000 per academic year, which is transferred directly to their bank account. The assistance is available for students pursuing Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and various professional courses. To qualify, applicants must be permanent residents of West Bengal, have an annual family income below Rs. 1,20,000, and should not be receiving any other scholarship for the same course.
Applications can be submitted online through the CMRF portal, making the process accessible to students across the state. An offline application facility is also available for those who are unable to apply digitally.
For assistance regarding registration, document submission, or application status, applicants can contact the CMRF helpdesk at 033-2253 5335 or email wbcmrfedu2020@gmail.com.
Students securing 60% or more marks should also explore the Swami Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Scheme, which is designed for higher-scoring students and offers a separate benefit structure. Female students may additionally benefit from the Kanya Ratna Education Grant Scheme, while those planning higher education can consider the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, which provides collateral-free education loans for eligible institutions.
Students, parents, and anyone looking for more education-related and welfare initiatives can explore our complete collection of West Bengal Government Welfare Schemes to discover other opportunities available across the state.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund provides financial assistance under the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme to help students continue their education without interruption due to financial constraints.
One-Time Financial Assistance Every Academic Year
- Financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 per academic year
- Amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system
- Available for students pursuing Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and professional courses such as Engineering, Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Law
Support Throughout the Course Duration
- Eligible students can continue receiving assistance in subsequent years of their course
- Continuation is subject to successful completion of annual examinations and verification of income and admission status each year
- The scheme helps students meet educational expenses and continue their studies without additional financial pressure on their families
Note: The Nabanna Scholarship Scheme is particularly beneficial for students who secure marks between 50% and 60% and may not qualify for higher-merit scholarship programmes. It provides crucial financial support to deserving students from economically weaker households.
Don’t Confuse This With Other “Nabanna” Scholarship Programmes
West Bengal also operates a separate scholarship programme for children of tea garden workers and unorganised sector workers. That scheme provides assistance to students from Class 5 to Class 12 through a different application process and portal. This article specifically covers the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme administered through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and professional course students.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Nabanna Scholarship Scheme, administered through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), is meant for financially weaker students who have achieved moderate academic performance and need support to continue their education. Applicants must satisfy all of the following eligibility conditions before applying.
- Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Must be studying in an educational institution within West Bengal after passing the Secondary, Higher Secondary, or Undergraduate examination from a recognised Board, Council, or University in the state
- Marks criteria (specific range):
- For Higher Secondary or Undergraduate-level assistance: 50% or above but less than 60% marks in Madhyamik or Higher Secondary examination, respectively
- For Postgraduate-level assistance: 50% or above but less than 53% marks in the Graduation examination
- Annual family income should not exceed Rs. 1,20,000
- Must not be receiving any other Government or private scholarship for the same course of study
- Can submit only one application within a period of 365 days
Important – Check Which Scholarship Fits Your Marks
If you have secured 60% or more marks, you may be eligible for the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM), which is designed for students with higher academic scores. The Nabanna Scholarship Scheme specifically supports students who score between 50% and 60%, helping those who often miss out on merit-based scholarship opportunities.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Students scoring below 50% in the qualifying examination
- Students securing 60% or above marks at Higher Secondary or Undergraduate level
- Applicants who are not permanent residents of West Bengal
- Students pursuing studies outside West Bengal
- Applicants whose annual family income exceeds Rs. 1,20,000
- Students already receiving another scholarship for the same course
Documents Required to be Attached
Nabanna Scholarship Scheme is meant for students who have secured moderate marks and need financial support to continue their education. Before submitting your application, keep all required documents ready to avoid delays during verification.
- Qualifying examination mark sheet (Madhyamik, Higher Secondary, Graduation, or equivalent, as applicable)
- Aadhaar Card or any valid identity proof
- Income Certificate showing annual family income below Rs. 1,20,000, issued by a competent authority such as BDO, SDO, or Executive Officer
- Bank passbook copy displaying the applicant’s name, account number, and IFSC code
- Admission receipt, fee receipt, or proof of admission for the current academic session
- Self-declaration stating that the applicant is not receiving any other scholarship for the same course of study
- Prayer letter addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal requesting financial assistance
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme
Applying for the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme is quite simple and can be completed online through the CMRF portal. Follow the steps below carefully to ensure your application is submitted successfully.
Step 1: Visit the official Chief Minister’s Relief Fund portal and click on the “Financial Assistance for Education” option available on the homepage.
Step 2: If you’re applying for the first time, complete the registration process using your mobile number. An OTP will be sent to your phone for verification.
Step 3: After successful registration, log in to your account and enter your personal details carefully, including your name exactly as mentioned on your Class 10 admit card, guardian’s name, age, roll number, passing year, and complete residential address with PIN code.
Step 4: Fill in your academic information, such as the Board, Council, or University from which you passed, year of passing, marks obtained, percentage secured, and details of your current course and educational institution.
Step 5: Enter your family income details and provide your Aadhaar-linked bank account information, including account number, IFSC code, bank name, and branch details. Make sure all banking information is correct, as the assistance amount is transferred directly to your account.
Step 6: Upload all required documents, including the prayer letter addressed to the Chief Minister, MLA/MP recommendation, income certificate, self-declaration countersigned by your institution, Class 10 admit card, qualifying examination mark sheet, bank passbook copy, and current admission receipt. Ensure each document is uploaded in PDF format and remains within the prescribed file size limit of 500 KB.
Step 7: Carefully review every detail entered in the application form. Once satisfied, submit the application and save your application reference number, as it will be required for future correspondence and status tracking.
Important: Registration alone does not complete the application process. All required documents must be uploaded within 90 days of registration. Applications with pending document uploads may not be considered for assistance. You can track the progress of your application anytime through the status check section available on the same CMRF portal.
Offline Application Option
Alternative: Students who are unable to apply online may also submit an offline application. Download the prescribed form from the CMRF website or collect it from the Nabanna office or the concerned district office. Fill in all details carefully, attach self-attested copies of the required documents, and send the completed application to: The Assistant Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office, ‘Nabanna’, 325 Sarat Chatterjee Road, Howrah – 711102.
Tip: Before submitting your application, double-check your marks, income details, bank account information, and uploaded documents. Even a small mistake can delay verification and the release of financial assistance under the Nabanna Scholarship Scheme.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Portal Official Website
- Nabanna Scholarship Scheme New Applicant Registration
- Check Your Application Status
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Implementing Office: Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal
- Address: The Assistant Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office, ‘Nabanna’, 325 Sarat Chatterjee Road, Howrah – 711102
- Phone: 033-2253 5335, 033-2253 5460, 033-2214 1902
- Email: wbcmrfedu2020@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Nabanna Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Nabanna Scholarship Scheme is a financial assistance programme administered through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Government of West Bengal. It provides financial support to deserving students from economically weaker families who wish to continue their higher education.
Q. Who is eligible for Nabanna Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Students who are permanent residents of West Bengal, studying in recognised institutions within the state, and have secured 50% to less than 60% marks at the Higher Secondary or Undergraduate level, or 50% to less than 53% marks at the Postgraduate level, can apply. The annual family income must not exceed Rs. 1,20,000.
Q. What if I have scored 60% or more marks?
Ans. Students securing 60% or above are generally advised to apply for the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM), which is designed for higher-scoring students and follows different eligibility criteria.
Q. How much financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
Ans. Eligible students receive Rs. 10,000 per academic year, which is transferred directly to their bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Q. Is an MLA or MP recommendation letter required?
Ans. Yes. Applicants are generally required to submit a recommendation letter from their local MLA or MP along with the other prescribed documents while applying for the scholarship.
Q. How can I apply for Nabanna Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Applications can be submitted online through the CMRF portal. Students who prefer the offline mode can also submit a completed application form along with supporting documents to the Chief Minister’s Office at Nabanna, Howrah.
Q. What documents are required while applying?
Ans. Commonly required documents include a prayer letter addressed to the Chief Minister, MLA/MP recommendation letter, income certificate, self-declaration, Class 10 admit card, qualifying examination mark sheet, bank passbook copy, and current admission or fee receipt.
Q. Is there any deadline for uploading documents after registration?
Ans. Yes. Applicants must complete the document upload process within 90 days of registration. Applications remain incomplete until all required documents are successfully uploaded.
Q. Can I apply if I am already receiving another scholarship?
Ans. No. Students already receiving any other government or non-government scholarship for the same course or stage of study are not eligible to receive benefits under Nabanna Scholarship Scheme.
Q. Is this the same as the Nabanna Scholarship for children of tea garden and unorganised sector workers?
Ans. No. That is a separate scholarship programme meant for school students from tea garden and unorganised worker families. Nabanna Scholarship Scheme under CMRF is intended for Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and professional course students meeting the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q. Can I apply more than once?
Ans. Yes, but an applicant can register only once within a 365-day period. Fresh applications are subject to compliance with the scheme’s prevailing eligibility conditions.
Q. Where can I get help regarding Nabanna Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. For assistance, applicants can contact the CMRF education helpdesk at 033-2253 5335 or 033-2253 5460, or send their queries to wbcmrfedu2020@gmail.com.
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.