What is the purpose of Shikshashree Scheme?

Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Eligibility for Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Benefits under Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Shikshashree Scheme is managed by Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Development Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.

Can users apply online for Shikshashree Scheme?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Shikshashree Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for Shikshashree Scheme?

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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Applications for Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?

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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Shikshashree Scheme.

Is Shikshashree Scheme available in all states?

No, Shikshashree Scheme is primarily available for eligible residents of West Bengal and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.

Can residents outside West Bengal apply for Shikshashree Scheme?

Eligibility for Shikshashree Scheme is generally limited to residents of West Bengal unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.

Can students apply for Shikshashree Scheme?

Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Shikshashree Scheme depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.

Is scholarship amount provided under Shikshashree Scheme?

Shikshashree Scheme may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.

Can CSC centres help users apply for Shikshashree Scheme?

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 Shikshashree Scheme?

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 Shikshashree Scheme?

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 Shikshashree Scheme?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for Shikshashree Scheme in West Bengal?

Users in West Bengal 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 Shikshashree Scheme 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.

Shikshashree Scheme – eligibility, benefits & apply

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): Yes

Scheme open date: 2014-04-01

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Scholarships and student finance

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Scheduled Caste, Student, Scholarship, Financial Assistance, Class V-VIII

Details

The scheme "Shikshashree Scheme” was implemented by the Government of West Bengal during 2014-15 by merging the existing schemes of Book Grants & Maintenance Grants to provide financial assistance to Schedule Caste students studying in classes V to VIII.
Formerly, day-scholar students of classes V-VIII belonging to the Scheduled Caste category enjoyed two grants namely a) assistance in the form of a book grant and b) assistance in the form of a maintenance grant. The number of such grants was meager and did not serve the intended purpose. Further, the method of selection of candidates and that of disbursements is cumbersome and time-consuming. In order to do away with these predicaments inherent in the scheme and to provide quality assistance to Schedule Caste (SC) students of Classes V to VIII in a smooth, transparent, and efficient way, a new scheme of providing assistance to the target group is being formulated in the name of "Shikshashree Scheme".
The "Shikshashree Scheme" scheme of providing assistance to SC day scholars of Class V-VIII is evolved by merging the existing schemes of Book Grants and Maintenance Grants. It is applicable to the day scholars of West Bengal reading in class V-VIII in any Government, Government-aided and all Government recognized schools of West Bengal.
Objective:

To provide financial assistance to the SC students reading in classes V to VIII to improve their participation in Pre-matric stages and minimize the incidence of drop-out especially in the case of girl students.

Benefits

1. Under this scheme, eligible students shall be provided financial assistance through Bank Account only: Class Rate (Per Annum) V₹750/-VI₹750/-VII₹750/-VIII₹800/-2. To improve participation of students in Pre-matric stages and minimize the incidence of drop-out especially in the case of girl students

Under this scheme, eligible students shall be provided financial assistance through Bank Account only:
Class*Rate (Per Annum)**V₹750/-VI₹750/-VII₹750/-VIII₹800/-2. To improve participation of students in Pre-matric stages and minimize the incidence of drop-out especially in the case of girl students.

Eligibility

The students should belong to Scheduled Caste.
Students of classes V-VIII are eligible for the scheme.
The annual family income of the student should not exceed ₹ 2.5 lakhs.
Only day scholars belonging to West Bengal can apply for this scholarship.
The applicant should be a regular full-time student reading in a Government School/Government-aided School and Govt. recognized schools in West Bengal.
The award once made will continue subject to subsequent application of the student up to class VIII and good conduct and attendance and otherwise being eligible.
The applicant should not get any other scholarship or stipend in any form for the same period. In case it is detected that the incumbent has drawn any amount of similar character from any other source this scholarship has to be refunded.
The applicant should be a holder of a bank account in a nationalized bank with a core banking facility.
The Scholarships for studying in any class will be available for only one year. If a student has to repeat a class, he/she would not get a scholarship for that class for a second year. However, if he or she is promoted to the next class subsequently he/she will enjoy the benefit provided the incumbent applicant is otherwise eligible.

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.

5.7

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 6.0/10 Moderate

Application complexity 3.0/10 Good

Financial impact 4.0/10 Moderate

Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate

Women inclusivity 8.0/10 Good

Awareness 4.5/10 Moderate

Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility5.0
Financial impact4.0
Rural utility6.0
Awareness4.5
Simplicity7.0
Inclusivity8.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Shikshashree Scheme provides essential financial support to Scheduled Caste students in West Bengal, aiming to reduce dropout rates and enhance educational participation.

Key challenges addressed

Financial assistance for education
Reduction of dropout rates among Scheduled Caste students

Most beneficial for

Scheduled Caste students in classes V to VIII
Girl students

Likely challenges

Cumbersome application process
Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme is beneficial, practical challenges in application and awareness hinder its effectiveness.

Rural challenges

Limited internet access
Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

Dependence on online application process
Need for digital literacy

Implementation bottlenecks

Cumbersome application process
Verification delays

Awareness challenges

Low awareness in rural areas
Limited outreach programs

Application analysis

Application mode: Online portal
Documents burden: Minimal, no specific documents required listed
Verification complexity: Moderate, requires eligibility checks
Office dependency: Low, primarily online
DBT dependency: Yes, requires bank account
CSC support: Limited
Estimated citizen effort: Moderate effort required to complete application

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Moderate
Gender reach Inclusive
Target income group Low-income families
Occupation reach Students

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Cash
Benefit frequency: Annual
Benefit practicality: Moderately practical, dependent on timely application and eligibility
Financial meaningfulness: Moderately meaningful for low-income families
Long-term impact: Potentially significant in improving educational outcomes and reducing dropout rates

Plain-language guidance

The Shikshashree Scheme offers financial help to Scheduled Caste students in classes V to VIII in West Bengal to support their education. It aims to reduce dropout rates, especially among girls.

Who should apply: Scheduled Caste students studying in classes V to VIII in West Bengal.
Who may struggle: Students with limited digital access or literacy may find it challenging to apply.
Best application route: Apply through the official online portal of the Backward Classes Welfare Department of West Bengal.

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

The candidate needs to visit the Backward Classes Welfare Department & Tribal Development Department, West Bengal official website: https://oasis.gov.in/1. The candidate can now log in by providing the following detail
Choose User Type
Choose the District
Choose Sub-Division
Then choose Block/Municipality
Next, choose the School
Enter User ID and Password
Now login, by clicking on the Login Button
Then you will be redirected to the Dashboard
On the left side, you can see the Application, click on it
Then you can see a fresh Sikshashree Application Form, click on it
Fill the application form and click on Submit.

Clarifications

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

What is the objective of the scheme?: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to Schedule Caste students reading in classes V to VIII to improve their participation in Pre-matric stages and minimize the incidence of drop-out especially in the case of girl students.
When was this scheme implemented?: The scheme was implemented during the year 2014-15.
Which two schemes were merged under the “Shikshashree Scheme”?: A) Assistance in the form of book grant and b) Assistance in the form of maintenance grant.
What is the benefit of this scheme?: Under this scheme, the scholarship will be provided to the students of Classes V to VIII.
Is this scheme only for the Schedule Caste category?: Yes, only the students of the Schedule Caste category are eligible to apply under the scheme.
What are the class-wise rates of scholarship to be given to the eligible students?: The students of class V to VII will receive an amount of ₹750/- per annum and the students of class VIII will receive ₹800/- per annum.
Is this scheme only for a day scholar student?: Yes, Only day scholars belonging to West Bengal can apply for this scholarship.
What should be the family income?: The family income should not be more than ₹2.5 lakhs per annum.
Is this scheme only for the student of government schools?: No, the regular full-time student reading in a Government School/ Government aided School and Govt. recognized schools in West Bengal are eligible to apply under the scheme.
Will the scholarship be continued up to class VIII?: Yes, The scholarship once made will continue subject to subsequent application of the student up to class VIII and good conduct and attendance and otherwise being eligible.
Is a student getting any other scholarship or stipend for the same period eligible under the scheme?: No, the student should not get any other scholarship or stipend in any form for the same period. In case it is detected that the incumbent has drawn any amount of similar character from any other source this scholarship has to be refunded.
Will the scholarship be continued if a student has failed?: If a student has to repeat a class, he/she would not get a scholarship for that class for a second year. However, if he or she is promoted to the next class subsequently he/she will enjoy the benefit provided the incumbent applicant is otherwise eligible.
How Can I apply under the scheme?: The eligible student can apply online under the scheme. https://oasis.gov.in/

Official links

References

Official Website: https://anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/Bcw/page/10
Website: https://howrah.gov.in/scheme/sikshashree/
Website-Scheme Details: https://wb.gov.in/government-schemes-details-shikshashree.aspx

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Shikshashree Scheme?: Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Eligibility for Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Benefits under Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Shikshashree Scheme is managed by Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Development Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Shikshashree Scheme?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Shikshashree Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Shikshashree Scheme?: 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Applications for Shikshashree Scheme 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Shikshashree Scheme.
Is Shikshashree Scheme available in all states?: No, Shikshashree Scheme is primarily available for eligible residents of West Bengal and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside West Bengal apply for Shikshashree Scheme?: Eligibility for Shikshashree Scheme is generally limited to residents of West Bengal unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Can students apply for Shikshashree Scheme?: Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Shikshashree Scheme depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Shikshashree Scheme?: Shikshashree Scheme may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Shikshashree Scheme?: 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: 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 Shikshashree Scheme?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Shikshashree Scheme in West Bengal?: Users in West Bengal 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 Shikshashree Scheme 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.