Last Updated: 04/11/2026
There is big news for minority students studying in West Bengal. If you are studying in school, college or a professional course and the cost of education is weighing heavily on your family, this article is for you. Here we will give you complete information about a scholarship scheme under which thousands of students receive financial help directly into their bank accounts every year.
The last date to apply for this scheme has been extended, so students who have not yet filled the form still have a chance. But one thing needs care — two different last dates are floating around on the internet for this scheme. In this article we will tell you the latest date written on the official portal, so that you do not lose your chance because of a wrong date.
Further ahead, we will explain which five scholarships come under this scheme, how much money each one offers, who is eligible, which documents are needed, the complete application process, and how to check your application status after applying. The FAQ section at the end answers common questions too. Let us understand everything one by one.
Scheme at a Glance (Quick Facts)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Aikyashree Scholarship 2026-27 |
| Implementing body | West Bengal Minorities' Development and Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) |
| Department | Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Who it is for | Minority community students of West Bengal (Class 1 to PhD) |
| Official portal | nspwb.wbmdfc.org |
| Applications opened | 1 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 30 November 2026 (extended date, for all schemes) |
| Maximum benefit | Up to Rs 60,000 per year (depends on scheme and course) |
| How to apply | Online + hard copy submission at the institution |
| Application fee | None |
What is the Aikyashree Scholarship?
The Aikyashree Scholarship is a scholarship scheme of the Government of West Bengal, run by the West Bengal Minorities' Development and Finance Corporation (WBMDFC). Its aim is to help meritorious and economically weaker students from minority communities continue their education, so that no student's studies stop midway because of a shortage of money.
Under this scheme, five different scholarships can be applied for from a single portal. The student picks the right scheme according to their class and course. Students from Class 1 all the way to PhD are covered, including school, college, technical and professional courses.
The special thing about this scheme is that it runs fully on the state government's budget, and the money is sent directly to the beneficiary's bank account through DBT. Applying is completely free — there is no need to pay any agent.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
These conditions apply for the Aikyashree Scholarship:
- The student must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The student must belong to a minority community — Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi.
- The student must be studying in a regular course at a recognised school, college or institution.
- The family's annual income must be within the limit fixed for the scheme.
- The student must have the minimum marks in the last examination as required by the scheme.
- A maximum of two students from one family can benefit from this scheme (check scheme-wise rules for TSP).
- A student cannot take another government scholarship for the same course at the same time.
Comparison of All Five Schemes — Which Scheme is for Whom?
| Scheme | For whom | Annual income limit | Minimum marks | Maximum amount (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | Class 1 to 10 | Up to Rs 2 lakh | 50% (exempt for Class 1) | Up to Rs 11,000 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | Class 11 to PhD (non-professional courses) | Up to Rs 2 lakh | 50% | Up to Rs 16,500 |
| Merit-cum-Means (MCM) | Professional and technical courses | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh | 50% to 75% (as per course) | Up to Rs 33,000 |
| Talent Support Programme (TSP) | Students who could not fit into other schemes | Up to Rs 2 lakh | 50% | Up to Rs 4,900 |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means (SVMCM) | Meritorious students, Class 11 to PG | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh | 60% (HS to UG), 53% (PG) | Up to Rs 60,000 |
Please note: the exact amount depends on the student's class, course and category. The portal's Schemes and Guidelines page carries a "Rate of Scholarship" document with the complete class-wise rates — do check it before applying.
Special Information About SVMCM
The Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM) is one of the biggest schemes under this programme. It covers students from Class 11-12 up to PG, including diploma (polytechnic), B.Ed, D.El.Ed and pharmacy diploma courses.
- HS to UG level: at least 60% marks in the last examination.
- PG and honours graduates: at least 53% marks.
- Engineering graduates: 55% marks.
- Family annual income must not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh.
- The student's institution must be located in West Bengal.
- The last qualifying examination must have been passed in the current academic year.
Do not get confused by one old detail: there is a separate general SVMCM portal for all categories, but SVMCM for minority students under Aikyashree is applied for through the WBMDFC portal itself.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before applying:
- Aadhaar card
- Marksheet of the last examination
- Income certificate (proof of family annual income)
- Domicile certificate of West Bengal
- Self-declaration of minority community
- Copy of bank passbook (Aadhaar-linked account, for DBT)
- Bonafide certificate / admission receipt from the institution
- Passport-size photograph
- Mobile number (for OTP) and email ID
- Community/caste certificate (where applicable)
Upload clean, clearly scanned copies of all documents. A blurred copy can delay verification.
How to Apply for Aikyashree Scholarship 2026-27? (Step-by-Step)
For Fresh Applications:
- Open the official portal nspwb.wbmdfc.org.
- Go to the Student Panel and click on "Fresh Registration".
- Select your district, block, institution, course and scheme.
- Fill in your name, date of birth, mobile number, email and Aadhaar details.
- Complete verification with the OTP received on your mobile.
- Choose your scheme (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, MCM, TSP or SVMCM).
- Fill in your last examination marks, income and bank account details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Check the form carefully and submit it.
- After submitting, take a printout of the form, sign it, and attach self-attested copies of the required documents.
- Submit this hard copy at your institution's office within 7 days of online submission.
- Keep the application receipt and application ID safe — you will need them to check your status.
For Renewal Applications:
- Log in to the portal's Student Login with your old ID.
- Select Renewal Application and update your current year's study details.
- Upload the new marksheet and required documents.
- Submit the form and deposit the hard copy at your institution.
Please note: Institute Level Verification is compulsory. If your institution does not verify your form, the further process can stop. So after submitting the hard copy, do confirm verification with your institution.
How to Check Application Status?
- Open nspwb.wbmdfc.org.
- In the Student Panel, select the "Track Your Application" option.
- Enter your application ID or registered mobile number.
- Your application status will appear on screen — for example pending at institution, pending at district level, approved, or payment status.
If the status stays stuck at one stage for a long time, first contact your institution's nodal teacher, then the WBMDFC helpline.
Common Mistakes in Applications — Avoid These
- Choosing the wrong scheme — pick the scheme matching your class and course, otherwise the form can be rejected.
- Not submitting the hard copy — filling only the online form is not enough; submitting the hard copy at the institution within 7 days is compulsory.
- Wrong income certificate — an old or incorrect income certificate gets stuck in verification.
- Bank account not linked to Aadhaar — money comes through DBT, so the account must be Aadhaar-linked and active.
- Waiting for the last day — complete your application before 30 November 2026; the portal can slow down in the final days.
- Double scholarship — two government scholarships cannot be taken together for the same course.
Important Dates 2026-27
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 1 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply (all schemes) | 30 November 2026 (extended) |
| Institute level verification | After application, as per institution |
| Status check | Available online on the portal |
Note: some older websites still show 15 February 2027, but the official portal nspwb.wbmdfc.org records the extended date of 30 November 2026 for 2026-27. Always treat the official portal's information as correct.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the last date for Aikyashree Scholarship 2026-27?
The last date to apply for all schemes (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, MCM and SVMCM) is 30 November 2026. This is the extended date recorded on the official portal.
2. Who is eligible for the Aikyashree Scholarship?
Permanent residents of West Bengal from minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) who are studying in a regular course at a recognised institution and whose family income and marks fall within the scheme's conditions.
3. How much money is given under this scholarship?
Depending on the scheme, Rs 4,900 to Rs 60,000 per year. Pre-Matric up to Rs 11,000, Post-Matric up to Rs 16,500, MCM up to Rs 33,000, TSP up to Rs 4,900 and SVMCM up to Rs 60,000. The exact amount depends on class and course.
4. Where should I apply?
On the official portal nspwb.wbmdfc.org. Applying is completely free. After filling the online form, submitting the hard copy at your institution within 7 days is compulsory.
5. Will renewal also happen on the same portal?
Yes, old students can fill the Renewal Application through Student Login. The new marksheet and updated information must be uploaded.
6. How do I check my application status?
On the portal, under "Track Your Application", enter your application ID or registered mobile number to see the status.
7. Can one student take two scholarships together?
No, two government scholarships cannot be taken together for the same course. A maximum of two students from one family can benefit.
8. How will the money be received?
After approval, the amount is sent directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
9. What should I do if there is a mistake in my form?
Contact your institution's nodal teacher quickly. A mistake can be corrected before verification; after verification, correction becomes difficult.
10. Does the marks condition apply to Class 1 students too?
No, students applying for Class 1 are exempt from the 50% marks condition.
Note: GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. Before taking any final decision related to application or payment, please verify the information on the official portal nspwb.wbmdfc.org.
