Aikyashree Scholarship 2023: Empowering Education 

In the pursuit of knowledge and a brighter future, education emerges as the beacon of hope for all, irrespective of their social or economic backgrounds. It is a fundamental right that should be accessible to every aspiring student, not a privilege limited to a fortunate few. To uphold this belief, governments, both central and state, often launch various schemes aimed at promoting education by extending financial assistance to those in need. One such commendable initiative is the Aikyashree Scholarship, introduced by the state of West Bengal to empower minority communities through education.

Aikyashree Scholarship 2023: Opening Doors to Education

The Aikyashree Scholarship scheme was officially launched by the Government of West Bengal on August 1, 2020. Its primary objective is to provide financial support to students from minority communities, including Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsees, and Sikhs. These scholarships are categorized into Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships, and they are fully funded by the West Bengal state government. This visionary initiative serves as a stepping stone for economically vulnerable students to realize their educational aspirations.

Key Highlights of Aikyashree Scholarship 2023

• Scheme Name: Aikyashree Scholarship Scheme
• Department: Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department
• State: West Bengal Government Scheme
• Launched By: Mamta Banerjee, Chief Minister
• Aim: To provide financial assistance to eligible students for educational purposes
• Types of Scholarships: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships
• Beneficiaries: Students belonging to minority communities in West Bengal
• Year/Session: 2023
• Application Mode: Online
• Application Status: Active
• Website: wbmdfcscholarship.org
• Helpline: mdfc.wb@gmail.com

The Noble Objective

The core objective behind the inception of the Aikyashree Scholarship is to eliminate financial barriers that hinder students from accessing education. It particularly targets underprivileged children who, due to financial constraints, face difficulties in pursuing education from classes I to X. This lack of access not only exacerbates unemployment rates but also perpetuates child labor, further entrenching communities in poverty. The West Bengal government recognized the urgency of addressing this issue and thus introduced this scholarship scheme.

Types of Aikyashree Scholarship

Pre-Matric Scholarships

Pre-Matric scholarships are designed to support students who often miss out on basic education due to a combination of social backwardness and financial constraints. These scholarships aim to prevent early dropouts and discourage children from resorting to child labor or illegal means of survival.

Post-Matric Scholarships

For families that can afford basic education but struggle with the increasing financial pressures as their children progress to higher classes, the Post-Matric scholarships offer vital assistance. These scholarships ensure that meritorious students are not compelled to abandon their educational dreams due to economic challenges.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarships

Technical and professional courses, such as Engineering, Medical, and Law, hold promising career opportunities but often come with hefty price tags. To bridge this affordability gap and support students from minority communities, the Aikyashree scheme includes Merit-cum-Means scholarships. These scholarships aim to empower students pursuing specialized fields.

Features of Aikyashree Scholarship

The Aikyashree scholarship brings forth several features:

• Inclusive Education: The scholarship extends from Class I to PhD, ensuring a wide spectrum of educational coverage.
• Varied Incentives: Scholarships offer incentives tailored to the specific type of scholarship, providing a comprehensive support system.
• Empowering Minorities: The scheme not only empowers minority communities but also prioritizes female candidates.
• Online Application: An online portal simplifies the application process, promoting ease and efficiency.
• Renewal Option: Students can easily apply for renewal through the portal, streamlining the process.
• Direct Bank Transfer: Scholarship funds are directly disbursed into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, ensuring a secure and transparent transaction.

Aikyashree Scholarship Benefits

The scheme’s benefits are manifold:

• Educational Support: Scholarships cover students from Class I to PhD, ensuring a continuous source of financial assistance.
• Empowering Women: The scheme prioritizes girl candidates, promoting gender equality in education.
• Financial Independence: Students are relieved from burdening their parents, fostering financial independence.
• Stipend: Scholarship amounts are provided as stipends to help students manage their educational expenses.
• Boosting Literacy: Increased access to education elevates the state’s literacy rate.
• Reducing Unemployment: By enabling students to pursue higher education, the scheme contributes to lowering unemployment rates and reducing daily wage labor.

Eligibility Criteria for Aikyashree Scholarship 2023

To be eligible for the Aikyashree Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship:

• Citizenship of West Bengal with domicile proof.
• Enrollment in a recognized institution.
• Minimum 50% marks in previous final examinations.
• Family income not exceeding Rs. 2 lakhs from all sources.
• Institution must be located in West Bengal.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship:

• Admission in a technical or professional course.
• Minimum 50% marks in the previous examination.
• Family income not exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
• Applicants studying outside West Bengal must verify their eligibility with the WB Minorities Development and Finance Cooperation.

Aikyashree Scholarship Amounts/Incentives

Below is a breakdown of the scholarship amounts for day scholars and hostellers:

*All figures mentioned in Indian Rupees.

Day Scholars

ScholarshipClassAdmission Fee & Tuition FeeMaintenance AllowanceTotal

Pre-Matric I – V 0 1,100 1,100

VI – X 4,400 1,100 5,500

Post-Matric XI & XII 7,700 2,500 10,200

XI & XII (Tech/Voc) 11,000 2,500 13,500

UG & PG 3,300 3,300 6,600

M. Phil and Ph.D 3,300 6,000 9,300

Hostellers

ScholarshipClassAdmission Fee & Tuition FeeMaintenance AllowanceTotal

Pre-Matric I – V 0 0 0

VI – X 4,400 6,600 11,000

Post-Matric XI & XII 7,700 4,200 11,900

XI & XII (Tech/Voc) 11,000 4,200 15,200

UG & PG 3,300 6,300 9,600

M. Phil and Ph.D 3,300 13,200 16,500

Aikyashree Scholarship Application Guidelines

The Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department of West Bengal has laid down specific guidelines for applying for scholarships under the Aikyashree scheme:

• Family income certificate must be attested with the application.
• Renewal applicants must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in the previous final examinations.
• Both day scholars and hostellers are eligible for maintenance allowances.
• Maintenance allowances are granted for up to 10 months in an academic year.
• The state covers the full course fee for listed institutions.
• Hostellers outside institutional hostels are also eligible for benefits.
• Beneficiaries must maintain proper attendance records.
• Violation of scholarship or institutional guidelines may result in suspension or cancellation of assistance.
• In case of fake beneficiaries, the department will cancel the scholarship and recover the amount.
• Funds are disbursed through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) to the applicant’s account.
• Administrative expenses of 2% are reserved by WBMDFC for executing the scheme.

Implementation

The West Bengal Minorities Development and Financial Cooperation department serve as the nodal agency responsible for sanctioning scholarship amounts. The online applications undergo a rigorous verification process. After successful verification, the scholarship funds are transferred directly to the students’ accounts through a secure online window. Selection for Merit-cum-Means scholarships is based on applicant scores, with a final list of beneficiaries published.

Documents Needed to Apply for Aikyashree Scholarship

Applicants are required to submit the following documents while registering for any scholarship under Aikyashree:

• Scanned passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
• Digital or scanned signature of the applicant.
• Aadhar Card for ID proof.
• Address proof.
• Minority Community Certificate.
• Income Certificate of the family.
• Previous year’s result sheet.
• Previous year fee receipt.
• Mobile number for application-related communication.
• Details of the Bank Account of the applicant.
• West Bengal Digital Ration Card (Optional)

Application Procedure of Aikyashree Scholarship 2023

To apply for the Aikyashree Scholarship, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official web page of Aikyashree scholarships at wbmdfcscholarship.org.
2. Click on “Student’s Area” to access the student page for this scholarship.
3. Select “Fresh Application.”
4. Choose the district of the institution.
5. Enter the required details, marked with “*”, such as name and parent’s details.
6. Submit the application and proceed to the next step.
7. Review the eligibility criteria and fill in the required information.
8. Obtain login credentials generated to your registered mobile number and email ID.
9. Proceed with the applicable scholarship scheme and process.
10. Fill in the necessary details of your bank account. The scholarship amount will be disbursed to this account.
11. Preview the application before submission, as scholarships will be awarded based on the submitted application.
12. Make any necessary edits before final submission.
13. Print a copy of the application, along with a photocopy of the bank passbook containing the bank account number and IFS Code, and submit it to the concerned institution.

Download

Users can download various documents and manuals from the Aikyashree portal, including user manuals, flowcharts, and official notifications. To access these documents, visit the login page in the Student’s Area, select the district, and click on the relevant links provided in the “Instructions” column.

Student Renewal

To apply for the renewal of your scholarship application, follow these steps:

1. Open the official portal of the Aikyashree scholarship.
2. In the “Student’s Area,” click on the appropriate Renewal option.
3. Select the district to access the renewal application login page.
4. Enter the application ID and your Date of Birth.
5. Select the district again and enter the captcha code.
6. Click on “Login.”
7. Edit the application as necessary and attach fresh documents.
8. After careful review, submit the final application.

Defected Application

To make corrections to your application, whether fresh or renewal, follow these steps:

1. Visit the respective pages in the “Student’s Area,” selecting “Defected Application” or “Defected Renewal Application” based on your application type.
2. Log in through the new page and edit your application.
3. After successful editing, submit the form.

MCM for Listed Institutes

To check the Means-cum-Merit scholarships for institutions listed by the WBMDFC, visit the official Aikyashree webpage, click on “Student’s Area,” and select “MCM for Listed Institute.” This page provides a list of eligible institutions.

Invalid Bank Account Updation

If your bank account details become invalid, you can update them on the portal:

1. Open the official Aikyashree portal.
2. In the “Student’s Area,” select “Invalid Bank Account Updation.”
3. Choose the district of the institution.
4. Enter the application ID or mobile number.
5. Provide your Date of Birth and submit.
6. Your user details will be verified, and you can then update your bank account information.

Aikyashree Scholarship Status Check 2023

To track the status of your scholarship application, follow these steps:

1. Visit the homepage of the Aikyashree scholarship portal.
2. In the topmost options, select “Track your Application.”
3. Use either the Application ID or Mobile number to track.
4. Select the year of registration and district from the dropdown list.
5. Enter the Application ID or the Mobile Number and the Date of Birth.
6. Enter the Captcha Code and Submit.

Helpline

For support and assistance, you can reach out via email at mdfc.wb@gmail.com. Additional contact details for officials at the WBMDFC Head Quarters and Education Supervisors for districts can be found on the “Contact Us” page of the Aikyashree portal.