What this scheme offers
Shikshashree and Medhashree are West Bengal's small annual scholarships for students in Classes 5 to 8. Shikshashree is for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe day scholars: SC students get ₹750 a year in Classes 5 to 7 and ₹800 in Class 8, and ST students get ₹800 a year in every class from 5 to 8. Medhashree is the matching scheme for OBC students in government, government-sponsored and aided schools, at ₹800 a year. The family's annual income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh for Shikshashree, and the same limit is usually applied to Medhashree. Applications and renewals for 2026-27 opened on 1 June 2026 on the shikshamedha.in portal, with a reported last date of 31 October 2026, and the form goes through the school.
Who is eligible
- Shikshashree: an SC or ST student in Classes 5 to 8 who is a day scholar in a government, government-aided or recognised school, a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- Medhashree: an OBC student in Classes 5 to 8 in a government, government-sponsored or aided school in West Bengal.
- Annual family income up to ₹2.5 lakh (the Shikshashree limit; confirm it for Medhashree).
- A valid SC, ST or OBC certificate issued in West Bengal.
Documents required
- Caste certificate — SC, ST or OBC — from a West Bengal authority
- Family income certificate
- Proof of study in the current class from the school
- Bank account details of the student or guardian
- Aadhaar card and passport-size photograph
How to apply
- Get the application form from your school, or register on the shikshamedha.in portal for 2026-27.
- Fill it in and attach the caste certificate, income certificate and bank details.
- Submit it to the school before the last date, reported as 31 October 2026.
- The school verifies the details and forwards them to the district office of the department.
- The ₹750–₹800 is paid into the bank account after sanction; renew each year while you remain eligible.