West Bengal Government Boosts Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme

West Bengal government believes in offering monetary aid to economically backward but meritorious students under the Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme. With a view to lessening the burden of education, the scheme grants scholarships on a yearly basis to the beneficiary students from various levels of academics.

Key Scheme Features:

Eligibility:

The students must be domicile students of West Bengal.

Eligible to students of regular courses for Class 11 and 12, undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil, and Ph.D. courses in recognized colleges.

Academic records: 60% marks at undergraduate level and 50% marks at postgraduate level of candidates.

Annual total family income should not be more than ₹2,50,000.

Scholarship Amounts:

Higher Secondary: ₹12,000 per annum

Undergraduate Courses:

Arts and Commerce: ₹12,000 per annum

Science: ₹18,000 per annum

Postgraduate Courses:

Arts and Commerce: ₹24,000 per annum

Science: ₹30,000 per annum

Engineering and Medical Courses: ₹60,000 per annum

They are able to renew their scholarship annually if they maintain a good academic record and score an exam in the first attempt.

The state government, in its recent overhaul of the scholarship scheme, has increased the number of beneficiaries and the number of scholarships to benefit a larger proportion of deserving students. Officials have made it clear that the scheme is in line with the administration's plans not to allow even a deserving student to fall behind because of financial problems.

In another twist, the Calcutta High Court has sought detailed report on how many students have been given the Swami Vivekananda scholarships, evidencing judicial keenness to ensure the scheme is working and open. 

The Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship continues to be an important support scheme, which allows thousands of West Bengal students to avail of higher studies and fulfill their scholastic ambitions.