Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme 2026 Apply Online, K1 K2 Benefits & Application Status

West Bengal government's Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme, earlier known as Kanyashree Prakalpa, gives cash support to unmarried girl students so they can keep studying and delay marriage till the legal age of 18. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari renamed the scheme on 14 August 2026 during the Kanyaratna Diwas programme in Kolkata.

Under this scheme, eligible girls receive an annual education grant and a one-time higher education grant. The annual grant has been doubled from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 from the next academic year, while the one-time grant has been raised from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000. This article explains who can apply, the benefits, the documents needed and how to track the application status.

Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme 2026

Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme is the renamed and enhanced version of West Bengal's long-running Kanyashree Prakalpa. It is run by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare. The scheme helps girls from poor families continue their studies and reduces the risk of child marriage through conditional cash transfers.

The scheme has won international appreciation, including recognition from the United Nations for its public service work. The benefit is paid directly into the girl's own bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, so the money stays in her hands.

There is no family income ceiling under this scheme. Any unmarried girl who is a permanent resident of West Bengal and studies in a government-recognised institution can apply, regardless of her family's income.

Who can Apply for Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme 2026

Any unmarried girl between 13 to 19 years of age may be a beneficiary if she is a resident of West Bengal and continues her study in any institution recognised by the state. Girls with a disability of 40% or more can also apply for the annual grant even if they have not reached Class 8.

Kanyaratna Scheme Online Application Process

Girls cannot apply for the scheme directly online. The application form is given by the school or college, filled up with the parents, and then submitted back to the institution. Below is the complete process.

STEP 1 - Visit your school or college office and inform the concerned teacher that you wish to apply for the Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme.

STEP 2 - Collect the prescribed application form from the institution. The form is given free of cost.

STEP 3 - Fill in all the required details, including name, date of birth, class, address, Aadhaar and bank account details.

STEP 4 - Attach self-attested photocopies of the required documents and submit the form to the school or college before the deadline.

STEP 5 - The institution verifies the details and uploads the application on the official portal at kanyashree.wb.gov.in.

STEP 6 - After block-level verification and district-level approval, the grant amount is transferred directly into the girl's bank account through DBT.

Track Kanyaratna Scheme Application Status

Applicants can track the status of their application online using their unique Kanyashree ID. Here is the direct link to check the application status - https://kanyashree.wb.gov.in/track-application-status

Applicants can enter their applicant ID and other details and click on the submit button to see the current status of their application.

List of Documents Required for Kanyaratna Scheme 2026

Here is the complete list of supporting documents required for the Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme:

• Photo-copy of Voter ID Card of parent or legal guardian
• Photo-copy of Birth Certificate issued by the appropriate authority
• Declaration of marital status of the applicant (made by the parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18, and by the applicant herself if she is over 18)
• Photocopy of the page of the bank passbook that shows the account holder's details
• Photo copy of the Disability Certificate if the applicant has a disability of 40% or more and has not reached Class 8
• Coloured passport-size photographs of the applicant, preferably on a white background

Kanyaratna Scheme Components (K1 and K2)

The scheme has two main components: the annual education grant (K1) and the one-time higher education grant (K2).

• K1 - Unmarried girls studying in Class 8 or above and aged between 13 and 18 years are eligible for the annual education grant.
• K2 - Unmarried girls studying in Class 8 or above and aged between 18 and 19 years are eligible for the one-time higher education grant.

To get the benefit of both components, the girl should have a bank account in her own name.

Benefits Given in Kanyaratna Scheme

• Annual Education Grant (K1): ₹1,000 per year, to be increased to ₹2,000 from the next academic year
• One-Time Higher Education Grant (K2): ₹50,000 (enhanced from ₹25,000)

How will She Get the Kanyaratna Scheme Benefit

Block is the verifying authority and district is the sanctioning and disbursing authority. The benefit goes directly to the bank account of the beneficiary. It is fully an online process operated through the official portal at kanyashree.wb.gov.in.

Kanyaratna Scheme Background

Kanyashree Prakalpa was launched in October 2013 to prevent child marriage, especially among economically weaker sections. Earlier, only those beneficiaries whose annual family income was less than or equal to ₹1.2 lakh could apply. Later, this annual family income ceiling was lifted, and now there is no income limit at all.

On 14 August 2026, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari renamed the scheme as Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme and announced higher benefits. The annual grant will double to ₹2,000 from the next academic year, and the one-time grant has been raised to ₹50,000.

Latest Announcement by CM Suvendu Adhikari

At the Kanyaratna Diwas programme, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the annual grant for girl students will be doubled from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 from the next academic year. He also launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme in the state and said that more than 20 lakh girls are receiving the benefit this time.

Kanyashree University

Kanyashree University was planned to ensure higher education for the girl child. In this institution, Kanyashree beneficiaries were to be given assured admissions. The Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department was to set up this university.

For more details, check the official website at kanyashree.wb.gov.in.

FAQ's

What is the Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme?

Kanyaratna Education Grant Scheme is the renamed and enhanced version of West Bengal's Kanyashree Prakalpa. It gives financial support to eligible unmarried girl students to continue their education and delay marriage.

When was Kanyashree renamed as Kanyaratna?

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the renaming on 14 August 2026 during the Kanyaratna Diwas programme in Kolkata.

Is there any family income limit under the scheme?

No. There is no family income ceiling. Any eligible unmarried girl can apply regardless of her family's income.

How much assistance is given under the scheme?

Eligible girls get ₹1,000 per year as the annual grant, which will increase to ₹2,000 from the next academic year. The one-time higher education grant has been raised from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000.

How can a student apply for the scheme?

Eligible students can collect the application form from their school or college, fill it up with the required documents, and submit it back to the institution. The institution then uploads the details on the official portal.