BS

Banishree Scholarship

5.0/10

The aim provides assistance and encourages them to study as well as acquire technical/ professional/ vocational training.

State Cash

States / UT: Odisha

Nodal department: Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

Scheme open date: 2008-04-01

Categories: Education & Learning, Skills & Employment

Sub-categories: Scholarships and student finance, Training and Skill Up-gradation

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Education & Learning, Student Finance

Details

A Scheme of Scholarship for Students with special needs in the name of "Banishree Scheme" has been introduced by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Government of Odisha, to assist and encourage students to study as well as acquire technical/ professional/ vocational training. This scheme aims to offer some special allowances to disabled children so that they can pursue their education without any financial crunch.

Benefits

  • Rates of Scholarship A. Inside the State: 1. Primary (Standard I to V): ₹400/- 1. Middle and High School (Standard VI to VIII and IX to XI) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹500/- 1. College (+2 & +3) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹600/- 1. College (P.G.) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹700/- 1. Technical and vocational training (Not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship) : ₹700/- B. Outside the State: 1. Students prosecuting normal course of study or technical/vocational/professional education/training not available in the State and not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship shall get ₹250 per month. 1. In case of visually challenged candidates
  • Reader’s Allowance shall be paid at ₹200 per month for primary classes and ₹300 per month for middle and high school classes and ₹400 per month for other studies if it is certified by the head of the institution that the candidate has continuously employed a reader during the period of study subject to the condition that such assistance is not availed of from Govt. of India. 1. In case of orthopedically handicapped student who has 75% or above disabilities requiring special arrangements for transport an additional monthly allowance of ₹200 per month may be sanctioned for transport if it is not covered by the scheme of integrated education

Rates of Scholarship
A. Inside the State:

  1. Primary (Standard I to V): ₹400/-
  2. Middle and High School (Standard VI to VIII and IX to XI) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹500/-
  3. College (+2 & +3) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹600/-
  4. College (P.G.) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹700/-
  5. Technical and vocational training (Not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship) : ₹700/-

B. Outside the State:

  1. Students prosecuting normal course of study or technical/vocational/professional education/training not available in the State and not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship shall get ₹250 per month.
  2. In case of visually challenged candidates, Reader’s Allowance shall be paid at ₹200 per month for primary classes and ₹300 per month for middle and high school classes and ₹400 per month for other studies, if it is certified by the head of the institution that the candidate has continuously employed a reader during the period of study, subject to the condition that such assistance is not availed of from Govt. of India.
  3. In case of orthopedically handicapped student who has 75% or above disabilities requiring special arrangements for transport, an additional monthly allowance of ₹200 per month may be sanctioned for transport, if it is not covered by the scheme of integrated education.

Eligibility

The scheme shall apply to students:

  1. Pursuing primary education (Std. I to V).
  2. Reading in middle & high schools (std. VI to X),
    1. Not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship.
  3. Reading in colleges/universities, not covered by Government of India Scholarship.
  4. Reading in special schools registered under PWD, Act 1995, but not receiving grant-in-aid from State/ Central Govt.
  5. Pursuing distance education through recognized universities/Govt. institutes.
  6. Pursuing technical/ vocational/ professional education in any of the recognized institutes.

For the purpose of award of scholarship under the scheme, applications can be submitted subject to fulfilling the following conditions:–

  1. The applicant must be a bonafide resident of Odisha.
  2. The applicant should be a regular student of an educational institution.
  3. The parental/family income of the applicant is not more than ₹60,000/- per annum.
  4. The applicant is not receiving any financial assistance/stipend/scholarship from State Government/ Central Government under any other scheme.
  5. The student will continue to get the scholarship if he enrolls and regularly attends any recognized institution irrespective of whether he has passed or not in a particular year.

Exclusions

  1. The applicant cannot receive financial assistance, stipends, or scholarships from the state or central government under any other program.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

5.0
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 4.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 4.5/10 Moderate
Financial impact 4.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 6.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 4.0/10 Moderate
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact4.0
  • Rural utility4.0
  • Awareness4.0
  • Simplicity5.5
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Banishree Scholarship aims to support students with special needs in Odisha, providing financial assistance for education and vocational training.

Key challenges addressed

  • Financial support for students with disabilities
  • Encouragement for pursuing education and vocational training

Most beneficial for

  • Students with disabilities
  • Low-income families

Likely challenges

  • Digital access for application
  • Awareness of the scheme among potential beneficiaries

Practical insights for citizens

The scheme is practical but faces challenges in rural areas due to digital divide and awareness.

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

  • Dependence on online application process
  • Need for Aadhaar for application

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification of disability and income certificates
  • Awareness of eligibility criteria

Awareness challenges

  • Low awareness among rural populations
  • Need for outreach programs

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Moderate, requires disability and income certificates
Verification complexity
Moderate, involves verification of documents
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
None
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate, requires online application and document submission

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Equal
  • Target income group Low-income families with annual income below ₹60,000
  • Occupation reach Students

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Cash
Benefit frequency
Monthly
Benefit practicality
Practical for educational expenses
Financial meaningfulness
Moderate, as it provides essential support but may not cover all costs
Long-term impact
Positive impact on education and vocational training for students with disabilities

Plain-language guidance

The Banishree Scholarship helps students with disabilities in Odisha by providing financial support for their education. Eligible students can apply online with necessary documents.

Who should apply
Students with disabilities pursuing education in Odisha.
Who may struggle
Semi-literate individuals and those without internet access.
Best application route
Apply via the official online portal with Aadhaar.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Step 1: Visit the official website of the department i.e https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/
Step 2: In the "Beneficiary Services" section, click "Banishree Scholarship".
Step 3: You will be redirected to the Online Application Form.
Step 4: Choose the relevant option out of : New Application/ Recommended Application from Principal/Head of the Institution
Step 5: On clicking one of the options, click proceed. On proceeding initially it is mandatory that applicant may get his/her Aadhaar details first. After verifying the application form will open.
Step 6: Fill in the application form including UDID Certificate Number, upload the signature of your spouse and yourself, and click "Submit".
Step 7: The applicants may take printout of the system-generated application on complete documentation for his/her record.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the benefits under the scheme ?
  1. Primary (Standard I to V): ₹ 200/- 2. Middle and High School (Standard VI to VIII and IX to XI) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹ 250/- 3. College (+2 & +3) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹ 300/- 4. College (P.G.) (Not covered by the Government of India Scholarship) : ₹ 350/- 5. Technical and vocational training (Not covered by Govt. of India Scholarship) : ₹ 350/-
What is the eligibility Criteria ?
  1. The applicant must be a bona fide resident of Orissa. 2. The applicant should be a regular student of an educational institution. 3. The parental/ family income of the applicant is not more than ₹ 60,000/- per annum. 4. The applicant is not receiving any financial assistance/stipend/scholarship from State Govt./ Central Govt. under any other scheme. 5. The student will continue to get the scholarship if he enrols and regularly attends any recognised institution irrespective of whether he has passed or not in a particular year.
How to apply online ?

Application Process 1. Follow the official website. 2. Choose the option "New Application". 3. Provide the required details in Student Details, Institute Details, Other Details, Other Details, Bank Account Details 4. Submit.

Required document list

Each application shall be accompanied by the following documents:– 1. Disability Certificate issued by Medical Board 2. Income Certificate issued by Revenue Officer, not below the rank of Tahasildar or any other officer of equivalent status. 3. Mark sheets of the last examination passed duly attested by a Gazetted Officer or the Head of the Institution concerned. NOTE: An income Certificate is not required in case the student belongs to a BPL family.

References

Guidelines
https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-04/Banishree_Scholarship_merged.pdf

Apply

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Banishree Scholarship?
Banishree Scholarship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Banishree Scholarship?
Eligibility for Banishree Scholarship may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Banishree Scholarship?
Benefits under Banishree Scholarship may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Banishree Scholarship?
Banishree Scholarship is managed by Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Banishree Scholarship?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Banishree Scholarship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Banishree Scholarship?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Banishree Scholarship?
Applications for Banishree Scholarship may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Banishree Scholarship?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Banishree Scholarship?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Banishree Scholarship.
Is Banishree Scholarship available in all states?
No, Banishree Scholarship is primarily available for eligible residents of Odisha and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside Odisha apply for Banishree Scholarship?
Eligibility for Banishree Scholarship is generally limited to residents of Odisha unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Can students apply for Banishree Scholarship?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Banishree Scholarship depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Banishree Scholarship?
Banishree Scholarship may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Banishree Scholarship?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Banishree Scholarship?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Are there deadlines for applying to Banishree Scholarship?
Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Banishree Scholarship?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Banishree Scholarship in Odisha?
Users in Odisha may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Banishree Scholarship applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.