WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026: Apply for ₹10,000 Under Taruner Swapno Scheme

West Bengal government is currently running Taruner Swapno Scheme to give free tablets and smartphones to students, which has replaced the free tablet distribution plan announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee back in December 2020. Under this scheme, eligible students get ₹10,000 cash support directly in their bank account to buy a tablet, smartphone, or computer for their studies.

Applications are open online at selfdeclaration.wb.gov.in, and more than 3.67 crore students across West Bengal have already received this support since the scheme started in 2022. This article explains how to apply, who can apply, and what documents are required for WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026 registration.

How to Apply for WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026

Original plan of handing out physical tablets through a separate portal never went ahead. Instead, West Bengal state government rolled this benefit into Taruner Swapno Scheme, which pays cash directly to the student so they can pick a device that suits them. Applying is fully online and does not require visiting any office.

STEP 1 - Go to the official website at selfdeclaration.wb.gov.in and click on the Apply Online button given on the homepage.

STEP 2 - Enter your Banglar Shiksha ID and registered mobile number to load your pre filled student details on the portal.

STEP 3 - Fill the declaration form in your preferred language, Bengali or English, whichever is easy for you to understand.

STEP 4 - Check all details carefully, accept the declaration, and verify your identity with Aadhaar number through OTP.

STEP 5 - After successful verification, ₹10,000 gets sent directly to your bank account, which you can use to buy a tablet, smartphone or PC for your studies.

Eligibility for WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026

Taruner Swapno Scheme is open mainly to Class 11 students, though the benefit has also been extended to Class 12, ITI and Polytechnic students studying in eligible institutions. Following conditions apply to students who want to apply for this support:-

• Applicant must be a resident of West Bengal and currently studying in Class 11, Class 12, ITI or Polytechnic.
• He or she must be enrolled in a government school, government aided school, government sponsored school, or a recognised madrasah.
• Annual income of the applicant's family from all sources must not exceed ₹2 lakh per year.
• Applicant must not have any backlogs, meaning they must have cleared all previous examinations.
• Applicant needs a valid Banglar Shiksha ID linked to their school record to apply on the portal.

Documents Required for Taruner Swapno Scheme

Here is the complete list of documents needed while applying for WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026:-

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Banglar Shiksha ID / School ID Card
3. Bank account passbook or bank details for cash transfer
4. Registered mobile number
5. Residence certificate

Overview of WB Free Tablet Scheme 2026

Below is a quick overview of WB Free Tablet Scheme as it stands under Taruner Swapno Scheme in 2026:-

Name of Scheme	WB Free Tablet Scheme (Taruner Swapno)
in Bengali Language	তরুণের স্বপ্ন প্রকল্প
Launched By	West Bengal Government, Department of School Education
Beneficiaries	Class 11, Class 12, ITI and Polytechnic students of govt. / govt. aided schools / madrasahs
Major Benefit	₹10,000 cash support to buy tablet, smartphone or PC
Scheme Objective	Helping students access online learning and digital devices
Scheme under	State government
Name of State	West Bengal
Post Category	Scheme / Yojana
Official Website	selfdeclaration.wb.gov.in
Application Mode	Online

What Happened to Original Free Tablet Plan

CM Mamata Banerjee had first announced free tablets for around 9.5 lakh Class 12 students on 3 December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online classes had become the only option for many students. That plan involved a separate portal for physical tablet distribution, but it was never formally rolled out in that form.

Instead, from 2022 onward, state government started giving cash support under Taruner Swapno Scheme, letting each student choose and buy their own device rather than receiving a fixed tablet model. This turned out to be an easier way to reach students across government and aided schools, and more than 3.67 crore students have benefited from it so far.

Other West Bengal Student Welfare Schemes

Apart from Taruner Swapno Scheme, West Bengal government runs a few other schemes for students who need support for higher studies. Students planning for college or professional courses can also check WB Student Credit Card Scheme, which offers education loans at low interest, and WB Student Internship Scheme, which gives a monthly stipend to graduate students during their internship period.

FAQ's

Is WB Free Tablet Scheme still giving out physical tablets to students?

No. Original 2020 plan for handing out physical tablets was never rolled out separately. Students now get ₹10,000 cash support under Taruner Swapno Scheme to buy a tablet, smartphone or PC of their choice.

Who can apply for Taruner Swapno Scheme 2026?

Students of Class 11, Class 12, ITI or Polytechnic studying in government, government aided or sponsored schools and madrasahs, with family income below ₹2 lakh per year, can apply on selfdeclaration.wb.gov.in.

How much money does a student get under this scheme?

Eligible students get ₹10,000 as one time cash support, sent directly to their bank account, to buy a tablet, smartphone or personal computer for their studies.

What is Banglar Shiksha ID and why is it needed?

Banglar Shiksha ID is a student's unique school record number in West Bengal's education database. It is needed on the Taruner Swapno portal to fetch pre filled student details before submitting the declaration form.

Where can students check the status of their application?

Students can log in again at selfdeclaration.wb.gov.in using their Banglar Shiksha ID and registered mobile number to check whether their declaration has been accepted and payment has been processed.

Source / Reference Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/bengal-government-to-provide-tabs-to-9-5-lakh-students-to-facilitate-online-education/story-jwiQfxKIOH844VIc23OtSN.html