🎓 Education Desk
Aikyashree Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide to Aikyashree Scholarships for West Bengal Minority Students
Aikyashree Scholarship 2026 — pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means schemes for West Bengal minority students: eligibility, amounts (₹10,000–33,000/year), documents and step-by-step application on wbmdfcscholarship.in.
Aikyashree is the West Bengal government’s flagship education support scheme for minority students, run by WBMDFC (West Bengal Minorities’ Development and Finance Corporation). Multiple schemes — pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means among them — are applied for through a single portal.
Aikyashree Schemes at a Glance
| Scheme | Level | Approx. Amount (per year) | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric | Classes 9–10 | Up to ₹11,000 | ₹2 lakh |
| Post-Matric | Class 11–Postgraduate/PhD | ₹10,200–16,500 | ₹2 lakh |
| Merit-cum-Means (MCM) | Professional/technical courses | ₹22,000–33,000 | ₹2.5 lakh |
Payment under all schemes is via DBT — directly into the student’s own bank account.
Eligibility
- Student belonging to a minority community of West Bengal (communities recognised by the National Commission for Minorities).
- Studying regularly at a recognised institution in the state.
- At least 50% in the last examination.
- Annual family income within ₹2 lakh/₹2.5 lakh as per the scheme.
- Not holding any other central/state scholarship at the same time.
Document Checklist
- Aadhaar card (the student’s own)
- Marksheet of the last examination
- Income certificate
- Domicile/residence certificate (if applicable)
- Student’s own bank passbook
- Admission certificate/ID card
- Passport-size photograph
Step-by-Step Application
- Register on the portal: wbmdfcscholarship.gov.in → “Student Registration” → verify OTP using your name, mobile number and email.
- Choose the scheme: Pick pre-matric, post-matric or MCM according to your current class/course.
- Fill the form: Personal details, institution, bank account (number + IFSC).
- Upload documents: All papers in the prescribed size/format.
- Submit and print: Save the application number.
- Institution verification: The institution’s nodal officer will approve online — make sure to inform them after submitting.
- DBT: After approval, the money goes to the bank; status can be checked by logging in.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Name differs between Aadhaar and marksheet → correct the Aadhaar before applying, otherwise the records won’t match.
- Providing the father’s bank account → the student’s own account is required.
- “Pending at institute” for a long time → call or visit the institution’s nodal officer directly and get it verified.
- Missing the renewal → the scholarship may be discontinued; watch for the window every year.
Further Support: WBMDFC Education Loan
Besides Aikyashree scholarships, WBMDFC provides education loans for higher studies to minority students (family income limit about ₹8 lakh). A scholarship is not a substitute for a loan — for large expenses the two can be seen as complementary.
Related Reading
❓ Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Aikyashree scholarship?
Students from West Bengal minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) — under various schemes from Class 9 up to PhD. Studying regularly at a recognised institution in West Bengal is mandatory.
How much money do you get under Aikyashree?
Depending on the scheme — up to about ₹11,000 a year under pre-matric, about ₹10,200–16,500 a year under post-matric, and about ₹22,000–33,000 a year under merit-cum-means (professional courses). Check the exact amounts in the year's notification.
What are the income and merit limits?
For pre- and post-matric the annual family income limit is ₹2 lakh; for merit-cum-means it is ₹2.5 lakh. You need at least 50% in your last examination.
Is Aikyashree the same as the NSP scholarship?
Aikyashree runs on the state government's portal (wbmdfcscholarship.gov.in), managed by WBMDFC. The central government's NSP minority scholarships are separate — you cannot take both at the same time; choose one.
How do I renew my scholarship?
Log in to your existing account on wbmdfcscholarship.gov.in and upload the previous year's promotion marksheet under the "Renewal" option. The renewal window usually opens slightly before Fresh applications.