Shikshashree Scholarship is a pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2014-15 that provides annual financial assistance to SC and ST students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government and Government-Aided schools across the state. SC students receive Rs. 750 to Rs. 800 per year, and ST students receive Rs. 800 per year. Apply at oasis.wb.gov.in.
West Bengal Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Shikshashree Scholarship (Shikshashree Prakalpa) |
| Launched In | Financial Year 2014-15 |
| Nodal Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Eligible Students | SC and ST students studying in Classes V to VIII |
| Eligible Schools | Government, Government-Aided, and Government-Recognised schools in West Bengal |
| Scholar Type | Day scholars only |
| SC Scholarship Amount | Rs. 750 per year (Class V, VI, VII) and Rs. 800 per year (Class VIII) |
| ST Scholarship Amount | Rs. 800 per year (Class V to VIII) |
| Income Limit | Annual family income must not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the student’s bank account |
| Funding | Fully funded by the West Bengal State Government |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Portal | oasis.wb.gov.in |
| Helpline | 08420023311 |
Introduction of West Bengal Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight
Many SC and ST students in West Bengal drop out of school not because they lack ability but because their families cannot afford basic educational expenses. Books, stationery, and daily travel costs add up quickly for families with limited income. To reduce this financial burden and keep SC and ST students in school through the critical Class V to VIII years, the Government of West Bengal launched the Shikshashree Scholarship in the financial year 2014-15.
The Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, is the nodal department that implements the scheme. The West Bengal Government formed Shikshashree by merging two earlier schemes – the Book Grant and the Maintenance Grant – into one simplified, transparent, and efficient scholarship programme. The scheme is fully funded by the West Bengal State Government and delivers benefits directly into the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Under the Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme, SC students in Class V, VI, and VII receive Rs. 750 per year and SC students in Class VIII receive Rs. 800 per year. ST students receive a flat Rs. 800 per year for all classes from V to VIII. The scholarship is available only to day scholars studying in Government, Government-Aided, or Government-Recognised schools in West Bengal. The annual family income must not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh. Students already receiving any other government scholarship are not eligible to apply simultaneously.
To apply, students visit oasis.wb.gov.in, complete Fresh Registration under Student’s Area, fill all personal, school, and bank details, upload required documents, select the Fresh Shikshashree Application Form, and submit. The school nodal officer also assists students who need help with the application process.
OBC students in West Bengal who are looking for a similar pre-metric scholarship can explore the Medhashree Scholarship Scheme, which provides annual financial assistance to OBC students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government and Government-Aided schools across the state. Families facing financial difficulties can also explore the West Bengal Annapurna Yojana, which provides monthly financial assistance to eligible women beneficiaries. Applications can be submitted through the nearest Jan Kalyan Shivir or the prescribed government channel.
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.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, provides the following financial benefits to eligible SC and ST students under the Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme. The scholarship amount varies by class and category:
- 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
- If a student repeats a class, no scholarship is given for the repeated year; the benefit resumes upon promotion
Class-wise Scholarship Amount for SC Students
| Class | Scholarship Amount Per Year |
|---|---|
| Class V | Rs. 750 per annum |
| Class VI | Rs. 750 per annum |
| Class VII | Rs. 750 per annum |
| Class VIII | Rs. 800 per annum |
Class-wise Scholarship Amount for ST Students
| Class | Scholarship Amount Per Year |
|---|---|
| Class V | Rs. 800 per annum |
| Class VI | Rs. 800 per annum |
| Class VII | Rs. 800 per annum |
| Class VIII | Rs. 800 per annum |
Important: Many websites incorrectly mention Rs. 800 per year for all classes for SC students. The officially verified amount for SC students in Classes V, VI, and VII is Rs. 750 per annum. Only Class VIII SC students receive Rs. 800 per annum. ST students receive a flat Rs. 800 per annum for all classes from V to VIII.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, has defined the following eligibility conditions for the Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme. Students must meet all conditions before applying to the OASIS Scholarship Portal:
- The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category
- The applicant must be a domicile of West Bengal
- The applicant must be studying in Class V, VI, VII, or VIII
- The applicant must study in a Government, Government-Aided, or Government-Recognised school in West Bengal
- The applicant must be a day scholar only – residential or hostel students are not eligible
- Annual family income must not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh from all sources
- The applicant must not be receiving any other 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
- Students who do not belong to the SC or ST category
- Students studying outside West Bengal
- Students studying in private unaided schools
- Residential or hostel students
- Students whose annual family income exceeds Rs. 2.50 lakh
- Students already receiving any other government scholarship or financial assistance
- Students who repeat the same class in a given academic year
Documents Required to be Attached
SC and ST students must keep the following documents ready before starting the Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme application on the OASIS Scholarship Portal. Documents may vary slightly depending on the current year’s application guidelines:
- Aadhaar Card of the student
- SC or ST Caste Certificate issued by a competent authority in West Bengal (must be digitised)
- Income Certificate confirming annual family income below Rs. 2.50 lakh, issued by BDO, SDO, or a Gazetted Officer
- Bank passbook with Account Number and IFSC Code (CBS-enabled account mandatory)
- Passport size photograph of the student
- The previous year’s marksheet confirming promotion to the current class
- School enrollment certificate from the institution
- Address proof or domicile proof confirming West Bengal residency
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Shikshashree 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 SC or ST caste certificate, Aadhaar card, bank passbook, income certificate, and previous year marksheet. Your caste certificate must be digitised and verifiable on the BCW Department portal. 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 for SC, ST, and OBC students.
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. A registration form will open on your screen.
Step 4: Select your district, sub-division, block or municipality, and school from the dropdown options. Make sure you select the correct school name from the list.
Step 5: Fill in your personal details carefully – your name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, gender, and mobile number. Make sure all details match your Aadhaar card exactly.
Step 6: Enter your SC or ST caste certificate details. The system will verify your caste status against the Backwards Classes Welfare Department database. Make sure your certificate is digitised before applying.
Step 7: Enter your family income details and bank account details, including your account number and IFSC code. Your bank account must be a CBS-enabled account registered in your own name.
Step 8: Upload clear scanned copies or photographs of all required documents – caste certificate, Aadhaar card, income certificate, bank passbook front page, passport size photograph, previous year marksheet, and school enrollment certificate.
Step 9: Select “Fresh Shikshashree Application Form” from the application section. Verify all details carefully before submitting. Once satisfied, click “Final Submit”. A User ID and Password will be generated. Save these credentials safely.
Step 10: Take a printout of the completed application form and submit it to your school along with all required documents. Your school 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 Shikshashree Scholarship. Carry all required documents, caste certificate, Aadhaar card, income certificate, bank passbook, photograph, and the previous year’s marksheet.
Step 2: The school nodal officer will assist you in filling out and submitting the online application on the OASIS portal. Provide all document originals for verification at the school level.
Step 3: 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 Shikshashree Scholarship application. If your application is approved, the scholarship amount transfers 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 for the current academic year.
Difference Between Shikshashree and Medhashree Scholarship
Many students and parents in West Bengal confuse the Shikshashree and MMedhashree scholarships because both cover the same classes, the same school types, and use the same application portal. The only key difference is the student category each scheme serves. The table below clearly explains the difference:
| Particulars | Shikshashree Scholarship | Medhashree Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Category | SC and ST students | OBC students |
| Classes Covered | Class V to VIII | Class V to VIII |
| School Type | Government, Government-Aided, Government-Recognised schools | Government, Government-Sponsored, Government-Aided schools |
| Scholar Type | Day scholars only | Day scholars only |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 750 per year (SC – Class V to VII), Rs. 800 per year (SC – Class VIII), Rs. 800 per year (ST – all classes) | Rs. 800 per year |
| Nodal Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department | Backward Classes Welfare Department |
| Launched In | Financial Year 2014-15 | Financial Year 2022-23 |
| 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 SC or ST category, apply for the Shikshashree Scholarship. If you belong to the OBC category, apply for the Medhashree Scholarship. Both schemes are administered through the same OASIS portal but serve different student categories. A student cannot apply for both simultaneously.
Important Links Available
- OASIS Scholarship Portal – Apply for Shikshashree Scholarship
- Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal
- Shikshashree Scheme – Official West Bengal Government Portal
- West Bengal Government Official Portal
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Office: Backward Classes Welfare Department, Administrative Buildings, 4th Floor, DJ-4, Sector-II, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, Pin: 700091
- Helpline: 08420023311
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Shikshashree Scholarship Scheme?
Ans. Shikshashree is a pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal in the financial year 2014-15. It provides annual financial assistance to SC and ST students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Aided, and Government-Recognised schools in West Bengal. The scheme was formed by merging the earlier Book Grant and Maintenance Grant schemes into one simplified programme.
Q. Who can apply for the Shikshashree Scholarship?
Ans. SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) students studying in Classes V to VIII in Government, Government-Aided, or Government-Recognised schools in West Bengal can apply. The student must be a domicile of West Bengal, a day scholar, and must not be receiving any other government scholarship simultaneously.
Q. What is the scholarship amount under Shikshashree?
Ans. The scholarship amount depends on the student’s category and class. SC students in Classes V, VI, and VII receive Rs. 750 per year. SC students in Class VIII receive Rs. 800 per year. ST students receive a flat Rs. 800 per year for all classes from V to VIII. The amount transfers directly into the student’s bank account through DBT.
Q. Is the Shikshashree scholarship amount Rs. 800 per month or per year?
Ans. The Shikshashree scholarship amount is per year, not per month. Many websites incorrectly mention it as a monthly amount. The officially verified amount is Rs. 750 or Rs. 800 annually, depending on the student’s class and category.
Q. Which classes are covered under the Shikshashree Scholarship?
Ans. The Shikshashree Scholarship 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. Is Shikshashree available for OBC students?
Ans. No. Shikshashree is specifically for SC and ST students only. OBC students can apply for the Medhashree Scholarship, which is a separate pre-matric scholarship scheme launched by the West Bengal Government for Other Backwards Classes students studying in Classes V to VIII.
Q. Can private school students apply for Shikshashree?
Ans. No. The Shikshashree Scholarship is available only to students studying in Government, Government-Aided, or Government-Recognised schools in West Bengal. Students in private unaided schools are not eligible.
Q. Can a residential school student apply for Shikshashree?
Ans. No. Only day scholar students are eligible for the Shikshashree Scholarship. Students studying in residential schools or living in hostels are not eligible.
Q. What is the income limit for the Shikshashree Scholarship?
Ans. The annual family income must not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh from all sources. An income certificate issued by a BDO, SDO, or Gazetted Officer is mandatory at the time of application.
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. How do I apply for the Shikshashree Scholarship?
Ans. Visit oasis.wb.gov.in, click on Student’s Area, complete Fresh Registration, select your district and school, fill all personal and bank details, upload documents, select Fresh Shikshashree Application Form, and submit. You can also visit your school and ask the nodal officer for assistance with the application.
Q. How do I check my Shikshashree Scholarship application status?
Ans. Log in to oasis.wb.gov.in using your User ID and Password generated at the time of registration. Go to the Application Status section to check the current status of your application.
Q. What is the difference between the Shikshashree and the Medhashree Scholarship?
Ans. Shikshashree is for SC and ST students, while Medhashree is for OBC students. Both cover Classes V to VIII, both are administered through the OASIS portal, and the West Bengal State Government fully funds both. A student cannot apply for both simultaneously.
Q. How will I receive the scholarship amount?
Ans. The scholarship amount transfers 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 with a valid IFSC code.
Q. Why was the Shikshashree Scholarship introduced?
Ans. The West Bengal Government introduced Shikshashree in 2014-15 by merging the earlier Book Grant and Maintenance Grant schemes. The objective was to provide quality financial assistance to SC and ST students in a simpler, more transparent, and efficient way, and to reduce school dropout rates, especially among girl students from economically weaker Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families.
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.