West Bengal has officially revived the Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana for students from economically weaker families. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made the announcement at a felicitation programme for 221 board exam toppers held at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, confirming that the Cabinet had cleared the scheme the same day. Under this scholarship, eligible students can get monthly support ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹8,000 depending on the course and level of education.
What makes this revival stand out is that the scheme is open to all students from poor families regardless of their caste, religion, or community. The West Bengal government has simultaneously discontinued religion-based allowances so that merit and financial need, not religious identity, decide who gets support.
What is Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana?
The Vivekananda Merit Scholarship, officially known as the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM), is a long-running scheme by the Government of West Bengal under the Higher Education Department. It was originally launched to stop bright students from poor families from dropping out due to money problems. The scheme covers education from Class 11 all the way up to PhD level, and money is sent straight to the student's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The scheme had been shut down for some time. With CM Adhikari's announcement, it has been restarted with a clear focus on removing bias from the selection process. "Deserving students from economically weaker sections will receive support under the revived scholarship programme irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or political affiliation," the Chief Minister stated. He also said money problems should never come in the way of higher education, and this scheme is the government's way of making sure that doesn't happen.
Scholarship Amount Under SVMCM
The amount a student gets every month depends on their course and the directorate managing their institution. Here is the course-wise breakdown of how much students receive:
- Higher Secondary (Class 11-12) - ₹1,000 per month for students with at least 60% marks in the qualifying exam
- UG Arts and Commerce - ₹1,000 per month; UG Science and professional courses get ₹1,500 per month
- PG Arts and Commerce - ₹2,000 per month; PG Science and professional courses get ₹2,500 per month
- Non-NET M.Phil/PhD - ₹5,000 per month; NET-LS Research Fellows get ₹8,000 per month
This adds up to anywhere between ₹12,000 and ₹96,000 per year depending on the level of study. The amount goes directly into the student's own bank account, so there's no middleman involved.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana (SVMCM) |
| Launched By | Government of West Bengal |
| Announced By | CM Suvendu Adhikari |
| Beneficiaries | EWS students from Class 11 to PhD level in West Bengal |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹1,000 to ₹8,000 per month |
| Family Income Limit | Up to ₹2.5 lakh per year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | svmcm.wb.gov.in |
Eligibility for Vivekananda Merit Scholarship
To get this scholarship, students need to meet a few basic conditions. These are meant to make sure the support goes to students who are both meritorious and genuinely in need of financial help.
- Permanent resident of West Bengal - The student must be domiciled in West Bengal and studying in a recognized institution within the state
- Minimum marks criteria - At least 60% in the last qualifying exam for HS and UG levels; 53% for PG Arts and Commerce; 55% for PG Engineering and technical courses
- Family income limit - Annual family income should not be more than ₹2.5 lakh as per a certificate from a competent government authority
- Full-time regular course only - The student must be enrolled in a full-time regular course, not distance or part-time
- No double-dipping - Students already getting any other central or state government scholarship are not eligible to apply
Documents Required
When applying for the Vivekananda Merit Scholarship online, students need to have a few documents ready to upload. Make sure all documents are clear and valid before starting the application.
- Domicile or residence certificate of West Bengal
- Last qualifying examination marksheet
- Annual family income certificate issued by a government authority
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account details (student's own account with IFSC)
- Aadhaar card of the student
- Admission proof from the current institution
How to Apply for Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana
The application process is fully online through the official SVMCM portal. Here's how to do it step by step:
STEP 1 - Go to the official scholarship portal at svmcm.wb.gov.in and click the "Registration" option on the homepage.
STEP 2 - Select from Topper and Non-Topper categories, then select Fresh Application and Apply for Fresh and click Proceed button as shown in below image.
STEP 3 - Fill in all the details in the application form.
STEP 4 - Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the correct format and size as mentioned in the registration form.
STEP 5 - Submit the form and save your application reference number.
FAQ's
Who can apply for Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana in West Bengal?
Any permanent resident of West Bengal studying in a full-time regular course from Class 11 to PhD level, with family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year and the required minimum marks, can apply. Students of all communities, castes, and religions are eligible.
How much scholarship amount is given under SVMCM?
The amount ranges from ₹1,000 per month for HS and UG Arts students to ₹8,000 per month for NET-LS research fellows. The exact amount depends on the course and directorate.
Where is the official website to apply for this scholarship?
Students can apply at svmcm.wb.gov.in. This is the official Aikyashree scholarship portal managed by the West Bengal Higher Education Department.
Was this scheme shut down before?
Yes, the Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana had been discontinued for some time. It was officially revived by CM Suvendu Adhikari in May 2026 with a Cabinet decision to discontinue religion-based allowances and replace them with this merit-and-means based scheme.
Can students from minority communities apply?
Yes. The revived scheme is open to students from all communities without any bias based on religion, caste, or political affiliation. Financial need and academic merit are the only two criteria.
Is it possible to renew this scholarship every year?
Yes, students can apply for renewal each academic year. They need to maintain the required academic performance and continue to meet the eligibility criteria to keep getting the scholarship.