Banishree Scholarship (Odisha)
Government of Odisha · Odisha
| Scheme Name | Banishree Scholarship (Odisha) |
| Provided By | Government of Odisha |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
The Banishree Scholarship provides monthly financial assistance ranging from ₹400 to ₹700 per month (₹4,800 to ₹8,400 annually) to students with disabilities in Odisha pursuing education from primary to postgraduate level in recognized institutions with family income below ₹60,000 per year including additional reader allowance for visually impaired students and transport allowance for orthopedically handicapped students to reduce dropout rates and promote inclusive education.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹8k+
The Banishree Scholarship provides monthly financial assistance ranging from ₹400 to ₹700, depending on the student's level of education. This translates to an estimated annual scholarship of ₹4,800 to ₹8,400. Additionally, visually impaired students receive a Reader's Allowance of ₹200 (Primary), ₹300 (Middle & High School), or ₹400 (Higher Education) per month. Orthopaedically handicapped students with 75% or more disability requiring special transport receive a Transport Allowance of ₹200 per month. The scholarship amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Payments are made in two installments per academic year, covering the period from the month of admission till the end of the academic session.
Monthly financial assistance ranging from ₹400 to ₹700 based on education level, Primary School (Class 1-5): ₹400 per month (₹4,800 annually), Middle and High School (Class 6-11): ₹500 per month (₹6,000 annually), College/University (+2 and above): ₹700 per month (₹8,400 annually), Students studying outside Odisha: ₹250 per month (if course unavailable in Odisha and not covered by Government of India scholarships), Additional Reader Allowance for Visually Impaired: ₹400 per month (requires institution certification of continuous reader employment), Additional Transport Allowance for Orthopedically Handicapped: ₹160 per month, Payment in two installments per academic year through Direct Benefit Transfer, Scholarship continues even if student fails a year as long as enrolled and attending regularly, Medical absence up to 3 months does not stop payment, Covers special schools registered under PWD Act 1995 not receiving government grant-in-aid, Supports distance education from recognized universities and government institutes, Includes technical vocational and professional training institutes, Over 23,600 students benefited in 2024-25, Scheme operational since April 1 2008, Recent increase in amounts announced December 21 2024
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | School (1-5), School (6-12), Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), Diploma/Polytechnic, ITI/ITC |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹0.6 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | All |
| Domicile State | Odisha |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Aadhaar card
- ✓Disability Certificate issued by Medical Board (must show 40% or more disability)
- ✓Last examination marksheet attested by Head of Institution or gazetted officer
- ✓Income Certificate issued by Tahasildar or competent authority (Not required for BPL families)
- ✓Residence certificate or proof of Odisha residency
- ✓Bank passbook with account number and IFSC code (students above 18 must have individual account
- ✓minors need joint account with parent/guardian)
- ✓Recent passport size photograph
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on specific eligibility criteria
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The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha and a regular student enrolled in a recognized educational institution
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They must possess a valid Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, indicating a certified disability
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The parental/family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹60,000 per annum
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Importantly, applicants should not be receiving any other financial assistance, stipend, or scholarship from the State or Central Government under any other scheme
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An income certificate is not required for students belonging to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewable annually
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Students will continue to receive the scholarship as long as they remain enrolled and regularly attend any recognized educational institution
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The renewal is not contingent on academic performance in a particular year
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students will continue to get the scholarship irrespective of whether they pass or fail in an academic year, provided they maintain regular attendance
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Scholarship payments are released after verification of regular attendance.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Form-only. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Registration (if new user)
* Visit the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal: `https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in/`. * Navigate to the 'Login' button and then click on 'Register Here'. * Read the terms and conditions, tick the checkbox, and click 'Proceed'. * Enter your Aadhaar card number and click 'Get OTP' to complete the registration process. **
- 2Application
* Log in to the portal using your User ID and Password. * Locate and select the 'Banishree Scholarship' scheme. * You will be prompted to verify your Aadhaar details first. * Fill in the online application form with accurate details including Student Details, Institute Details, Disability Details (including UDID Certificate Number), Other Details, and Bank Account Details. * Upload scanned copies of all required documents, such as your Disability Certificate, Income Certificate (if applicable), mark sheets of the last examination passed, Aadhaar card scan copy, and a passport-sized photograph. * Review all entered information carefully and then submit the application. * It is recommended to take a printout of the system-generated application for your records. **
- 3Status Tracking
* Go to the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal: `https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in/`. * Click on the 'Know your Status' option, usually found at the bottom of the page. * Enter your Aadhaar card number or Application number and validate with an OTP. * Your student dashboard will display, allowing you to view the status of your submitted scholarship applications. Click on 'View Status' for detailed information.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the Banishree Scholarship (Odisha)?
Students who are permanent residents of Odisha, possess a valid Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, are enrolled as regular students in a recognized educational institution, and whose parental/family income does not exceed ₹60,000 per annum are eligible. Applicants must not be receiving any other state or central government scholarship.
What is the scholarship amount and how is it disbursed?
Eligible students receive monthly financial assistance ranging from ₹400 to ₹700, depending on their educational level. Additional allowances for visually impaired students (Reader's Allowance) and severely orthopaedically handicapped students (Transport Allowance) are also provided. The scholarship amount is directly transferred to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in two installments per academic year.
Will my child continue to receive the scholarship if they fail an exam in a particular year?
Yes, the scholarship will continue as long as your child remains enrolled and regularly attends a recognized educational institution, irrespective of whether they pass or fail in a particular academic year. Regular attendance is a key condition for receiving the scholarship.
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Government of Odisha website before final submission.