The Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM) 2025, also known as the Bikash Bhavan Scholarship, is a flagship initiative by the Government of West Bengal's Department of Higher Education. Inspired by the visionary Swami Vivekananda, it provides financial aid to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to pursue higher education, reducing dropouts and promoting academic excellence. The scheme supports students in Classes 11-12, undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and professional courses like engineering and medicine. A separate variant, SVMCM for Minorities, is managed by the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) for minority communities.
Note: As of October 22, 2025, applications for the 2025-26 academic year are expected to start soon in November 2025 (for general courses), with the last date tentatively September 30, 2025. Previous cycles (e.g., 2024-25) closed in March 2025. Verify on the official portal for exact dates, as maintenance or updates may affect timelines.
Eligibility Criteria (Varies Slightly by Level):
Domicile: Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
Academic Merit:
Classes 11-12/UG: Minimum 60% aggregate in Madhyamik (Class 10) or Higher Secondary (Class 12) from West Bengal Board (or equivalent; 75% for previous year passouts).
PG: Minimum 53% in UG degree.
For Kanyashree K3 recipients: Relaxed to 45%.
Family Income: Annual income ≤ INR 2.5 lakh from all sources.
Enrollment: Full-time regular courses in recognized West Bengal institutions (no distance/open learning).
Other: Indian citizen; not availing other scholarships for the same purpose; priority for minorities in the dedicated variant (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi).
Exclusions: Lateral entry students or those with prior professional degrees in the same field.
Benefits:
Monthly stipend based on course level:
Classes 11-12: INR 1,000/month (INR 12,000/year).
UG (Arts/Science/Commerce): INR 1,000–1,500/month (INR 12,000–18,000/year).
UG (Engineering/Medical/Professional): INR 5,000/month (INR 60,000/year).
PG (Arts/Science/Commerce): INR 2,000/month (INR 24,000/year).
PG (Professional/M.Tech/M.Pharm/Medical): INR 5,000–8,000/month (INR 60,000–96,000/year).
PhD: Up to INR 8,000/month.
Covers tuition, maintenance, and other educational expenses; disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
For Minorities Variant: Up to INR 60,000/year, with similar slabs.
Number of Scholarships:
Over 3–4 lakh students benefited annually in recent years; no fixed quota, but merit-based selection ensures wide coverage.
Application Process:
Online via Official Portal:
Visit svmcm.wb.gov.in (main SVMCM) or wbmdfcscholarship.wb.gov.in (for Minorities).
Click "Apply Online" and register/login using Aadhaar/mobile/email.
Select "Fresh" or "Renewal" application; fill personal, academic, and bank details.
Upload scanned documents (max 400 KB each).
Submit and note the application ID; Head of Institution (HOI) verification required.
Timeline for 2025-26 (Tentative):
Fresh/Renewal Start: November 2025 (general); April 2025 for minorities (if extended).
Last Date: September 30, 2025 (general); confirm for minorities.
Verification: December 2025–January 2026.
Disbursement: From March 2026.
Mode: Fully online; renewal auto-tracks previous applications.
Helpline: 1800-102-8014 (SVMCM); Email: helpdesk.svmcm@gmail.com. For minorities: 033-4064-7100.
Required Documents:
Domicile certificate (West Bengal PRC).
Marksheets of last qualifying exam (Class 10/12/UG).
Income certificate (from competent authority, e.g., MP/MLA).
Aadhaar card and bank passbook (with IFSC, Aadhaar-seeded).
Admission receipt/bonafide certificate from institution.
Caste/minority certificate (if applicable).
Passport-size photo and scanned signature.
Kanyashree ID (if applicable).
Selection Process:
Auto-scrutiny on portal based on merit (marks percentage) and income.
HOI verification and district-level committee review.
Provisional list published on portal; grievances via "Helpdesk" section.
Final approval: Based on availability; minorities variant prioritizes community quotas.
Additional Information
Covered Courses: Classes 11-12 (all streams), UG/PG in Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medical, Law, B.Ed, M.Phil, PhD, and professional diplomas (e.g., Polytechnic, Nursing).
Exclusions: Does not cover overseas study, private coaching, or duplicate claims. Renewal requires 50%+ marks in previous year.
Tips: Link Aadhaar to bank early; track status via "Student Login." Beware of fraud—use only official sites. For minorities, apply separately if eligible.
Contact: Bikash Bhaban, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091; Phone: 033-2337-6770.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship 2025?
The SVMCM (Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship) is a West Bengal government scheme offering financial aid to meritorious, low-income students for Classes 11-12, UG, PG, and professional courses to promote higher education.
2. Who is eligible for SVMCM 2025?
West Bengal residents with ≥60% marks in the last exam (53% for PG), family income ≤ INR 2.5 lakh, enrolled full-time in recognized state institutions. Relaxed criteria for Kanyashree recipients.
3. What are the benefits under SVMCM?
Monthly stipends: INR 1,000–8,000 (INR 12,000–96,000/year) based on course level, covering tuition and maintenance via DBT.
4. How can I apply for the scholarship?
Visit svmcm.wb.gov.in (general) or wbmdfcscholarship.wb.gov.in (minorities), register, fill the form, upload docs, and submit. Starts November 2025; deadline September 30, 2025 (tentative).
5. What documents are required?
Domicile certificate, marksheets, income proof, Aadhaar-bank details, admission receipt, and minority/caste certificate (if applicable).
6. When is the last date for SVMCM 2025-26?
Tentative September 30, 2025 for fresh/renewal; confirm on official portal as it may vary.
7. How is selection done?
Merit-based auto-verification on portal, followed by HOI and district committee review; lists published online.
8. Can minorities apply separately?
Yes, SVMCM for Minorities (via WBMDFC) has a dedicated portal; deadline may differ (e.g., April 30, 2025 in past cycles).
9. Is renewal automatic?
No, apply annually via portal; requires 50%+ marks in previous year and good conduct.
10. Does it cover engineering/medical courses?
Yes, up to INR 5,000–8,000/month for professional UG/PG like B.Tech, MBBS.
11. What if my application is rejected?
Check status on portal; submit grievances with supporting docs via Helpdesk.
12. Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes, for registration and DBT; link to bank account beforehand.
13. How many students benefit yearly?
Over 3–4 lakh across West Bengal.
14. Who to contact for queries?
Helpline: 1800-102-8014; Email: helpdesk.svmcm@gmail.com.
15. Can out-of-state students apply?
No, only West Bengal domiciled students studying in the state.
Conclusion
Ignite your inner strength and rise above challenges—education is the light that Swami Vivekananda envisioned for every young mind! The Swami Vivekananda Scholarship 2025 is more than aid; it's your launchpad to dreams, freeing you to focus on excellence. With School Dekho, discovering and applying for such opportunities is effortless. Visit School Dekho today for step-by-step guidance, updates, and more scholarships—seize this chance and awaken your potential now!
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