AI SummaryBanishree Scholarship offers monthly money support of ₹400 to ₹700 to students with special needs in Odisha so that they can continue their studies or take up technical, professional and vocational training. Students can apply online for the current academic year through the State Scholarship Portal and the official SSEPD portal.
Banishree Scholarship is run by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department (SSEPD), Government of Odisha. The scheme started on 1 April 2008 and now covers all 21 categories of disability for which UDID certificates are issued, from Class I up to post-graduation level.
Banishree Scholarship - Introduction
The Odisha government revised the Banishree Scholarship rules through Resolution No. 14683 dated 24 December 2025, and the updated guidelines are available on the SSEPD website. Under the new rules, the scheme has been brought onto the State Scholarship Portal, so students can apply and track the application in one place along with other scholarship schemes of the state.
A major change in the latest guidelines is that a student can now get Banishree Scholarship over and above any other scholarship or stipend from the State or Central government. Earlier, a student receiving any other government scholarship was not eligible. In place of the old family income limit, the new rule says that either of the parents or guardians of the applicant should not be an income tax payee.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Banishree Scholarship |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Odisha |
| For Whom | Students with special needs who hold a valid UDID card |
| Main Department | Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department (SSEPD) |
| Started On | 1 April 2008 |
| Benefit | ₹400 to ₹700 per month plus reader's and transport allowances |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
Benefits
Banishree Scholarship gives monthly cash support based on the education level of the student. The same rates apply to students studying inside Odisha, and students studying outside the state in courses that are not available in Odisha also get ₹700 per month.
| Education Level | Monthly Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Primary (Class I to V) | ₹400 |
| Middle and High School (Class VI to X) | ₹500 |
| Higher Secondary and Graduation (+2 and +3) | ₹600 |
| Post-Graduation | ₹700 |
| Technical and Vocational Training | ₹700 |
| Studies Outside Odisha | ₹700 |
In addition to the main scholarship, students who need a reader or special transport get extra monthly support where the condition applies.
| Special Allowances | Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| Reader's Allowance (Primary) | ₹200 |
| Reader's Allowance (Middle and High School) | ₹300 |
| Reader's Allowance (Higher Studies) | ₹400 |
| Transport Allowance (orthopaedically handicapped with 75 percent or above disability) | ₹200 |
Eligibility
To apply for Banishree Scholarship for the current academic year, a student should meet the conditions given below:
- Bona fide resident of Odisha: The applicant must be a resident of Odisha.
- Regular student: The applicant should be a regular student of a recognized school, college, university, special school or technical and vocational institute.
- Valid UDID card: The applicant must hold a valid UDID card issued by the CDMO. This card is now required for applying.
- Income condition: Either of the parents or guardians of the applicant should not be an income tax payee. This has replaced the old ₹60,000 annual family income limit.
- Other scholarships: A student getting any other scholarship or stipend from the State or Central government can also apply for Banishree Scholarship.
A student keeps getting the scholarship as long as the student is enrolled and regularly attends a recognized institution, even if the student has not passed in a particular year. The Head of Institution checks a minimum attendance of 75 percent for continuing eligibility.
Application Process
Students can apply online for Banishree Scholarship through the State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in or the SSEPD web portal. Follow the steps given below to submit the application.
STEP 1 - Visit the State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in or the official SSEPD website.
STEP 2 - Go to the Beneficiary Services section and open the Banishree Scholarship form from the online application page.
STEP 3 - Select the application type: New Application or Recommended Application from the Head of Institution.
STEP 4 - Verify the details using the Aadhaar number.
STEP 5 - Enter the UDID certificate number, course details and bank account details in the form.
STEP 6 - Upload the required documents and submit the application.
STEP 7 - The Head of Institution verifies the application, including the uploaded documents and minimum 75 percent attendance, and then the District Social Security Officer sanctions it.
STEP 8 - Keep a printout of the system-generated application form for personal records. The scholarship amount is paid through DBT into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account, and the student gets an SMS or email confirmation.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before filling the online form:
- Valid UDID certificate: Issued by the CDMO, this is required for applying under the scheme.
- Parents' undertaking: A simple undertaking from the parents stating that they are not income tax payees. This replaced the old income certificate rule.
- Attested mark sheets: Mark sheets of the last examination passed, attested by a Gazetted Officer or the Head of the Institution.
Students from BPL families do not need to submit any separate income certificate; they give the same undertaking as other applicants.
References
Useful official links for Banishree Scholarship are given below:
- Revised Banishree Scholarship guidelines 2026 PDF (Resolution No. 14683 dated 24 December 2025)
- Official Banishree Scholarship page on the SSEPD website
- Odisha State Scholarship Portal for online application
- Banishree Scholarship guidelines earlier version PDF
FAQ's
What are the benefits provided under this scheme?
Banishree Scholarship gives monthly cash support of ₹400 for primary classes, ₹500 for middle and high school up to Class X, ₹600 for +2 and +3, and ₹700 for post-graduation and technical or vocational courses. Students studying outside Odisha also get ₹700 per month. Reader's allowance of ₹200 to ₹400 and transport allowance of ₹200 per month are given in addition, where applicable.
What is the eligibility criteria?
A student should be a bona fide resident of Odisha, a regular student of a recognized institution and hold a valid UDID card. Either of the parents or guardians should not be an income tax payee. Students already getting any other State or Central scholarship can also apply now.
How do I apply for the scholarship online?
Open the State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in or the SSEPD web portal, go to the Banishree Scholarship option, verify with Aadhaar, fill in the UDID and bank details, upload the documents and submit. The Head of Institution verifies the application before it is sanctioned by the District Social Security Officer.
Which documents are required for the application?
A valid UDID certificate issued by the CDMO, an undertaking from the parents that they are not income tax payees and the attested mark sheets of the last examination passed. Students from BPL families do not need any separate income certificate.