Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman (BBSS) 2026 is the annual award given by the West Bengal government to recognise the best Durga Puja pandals and their committees. The winners list is shared on the official portal bbss.wb.gov.in. For the 2025 season, the state government announced the list on Panchami, and the same process will be followed for the 2026 Durga Puja.
Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman was introduced to motivate, acknowledge and duly recognise the best puja or pujas and their creators in urban and rural Bengal. Since Durga Puja is one of the most popular festivals showing the indigenous cultural identity of the state, the State Government has come forward to present the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman to add to the grandeur of the festival not only in West Bengal and India but also throughout the world.
Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman (BBSS) Awards
The Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman encourages creativity and aesthetics, and makes sure of mass participation of the people of the State and abroad in one of the greatest festivals of the world. The awards under the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman are a true reflection of how creativity, tradition and people's longing for a collective celebration come together and achieve the true colour and spirit of the human race. Over the years, the award has shown, boosted and reached out to hundreds of traditional craftsmen all over the state and helped uphold them at the international level.
The West Bengal government has been giving the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman since 2013. The award is given by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of the Government of West Bengal. For the 2025 season, the state government announced the winners on Panchami, which fell on 27 September 2025. A total of 113 community pujas in Kolkata and its surrounding areas were awarded. Of these, 24 puja committees were placed in the Serar Sera or best of the best category, while 26 received the special prize. The Durga Angan album, which features 17 songs written by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and performed by several known singers, was selected as the Best Puja Album for 2025.
Highlights of Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman (BBSS) |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal |
| Department | Information and Cultural Affairs Department |
| Started In | 2013 |
| Beneficiaries | Durga Puja committees in West Bengal, other states and abroad |
| Official Website | bbss.wb.gov.in |
Winners List 2025
The winners list for the 2025 season was published on Panchami. The awards were given across seven categories. The main categories are given below.
- Serar Sera or best of the best puja: 24 puja committees were placed in this category, including Ballygunge Cultural, Suruchi Sangha, Chetla Agrani, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Tala Pratyoy, Sreebhumi Sporting and Behala Natun Dal.
- Sera Sabeki Puja or best traditional puja: 12 clubs made it to this list, including Ekdalia Evergreen, Bagbazar Sarbojonin, Mudiali Club, College Square and Singhi Park.
- Sera Mandap or best pandal: 13 awards were given in this category.
For the 2025 season, seven awards were announced for the best idol or Sera Pratima, 17 for the best thought or Sera Bhabna, and 14 for the best environment friendly puja. In addition, 26 pujas received the special prize. In the districts, the Sharad Samman awards were given in four categories. The full list of the 2025 winners was shared by the state government and news portals.
How to Check the Winners List
The winners list is shared on the official website bbss.wb.gov.in. The list is also released by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department and covered by news portals. For the 2025 list, the state government announced the winners on Panchami, and the same process will be followed for the 2026 season.
How to Apply for the Award
Durga Puja committees that want to take part in the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman need to register on the official website. The application window opens before the Durga Puja season. For the 2025 season, the applications were open from 11 September 2025. The jury members visit the pandals to judge the pujas before the winners are announced.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website at bbss.wb.gov.in and open the registration or application section.
STEP 2 - Fill in the details of the puja committee, including the name, address and contact details.
STEP 3 - Submit the required documents, including the first page of the bank account pass book of the puja committee, and complete the application.
FAQ's
Is the Biswa Bangla Sharad Samman still given in 2026?
Yes, the award is given every year by the West Bengal government. The winners list for the 2026 season will be announced during the Durga Puja festival.
Where can I check the winners list?
The winners list is available on the official website bbss.wb.gov.in and is also shared by news portals.
Who can apply for the award?
Durga Puja committees from West Bengal, other states of India and abroad can apply for the award.
When is the winners list announced?
The winners list is usually announced on Panchami, which is the fifth day of the Durga Puja festival.