The Odisha government runs the Banishree Scholarship Scheme in the state to support the education of those children who are physically handicapped. Introduced by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Government of Odisha, the Bahishree Scholarship Scheme offers financial support to children who are disabled. Scholarship grants are offered under this scheme right from the primary level of education and cover support till higher education. The monthly scholarship amount is transferred directly into the bank account of the beneficiaries. All the children who satisfy the eligibility criteria can apply online for the Banishree Scholarship Grant. Read below to check all crucial details about the Banishree Scholarship Scheme 2024.
Launch of Banishree Scholarship Scheme
The Banishree Scholarship scheme was launched on 1st April 2018 by the then chief minister of Odisha, Shri Navin Patnaik. This scheme is managed under the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Through this scholarship scheme, monthly financial assistance is offered to all disabled children belonging to economically vulnerable families. To avail of the Banishree Scholarship, the annual family income of the applicants should not be more than 60,000 rupees. Besides, the applicants should not be covered under any other scholarship programs of the state or central government.
Banishree Scholarship Scheme Details in Summary
| Name of Scheme | Banishree Scholarship Scheme |
|---|---|
| Concerned Government | The government of Odisha |
| Concerned Department | Monthly Financial Assistance |
| Scheme type | Scholarship Grant Scheme |
| Benefits | Monthly Financially Assistance |
| Beneficiaries | Disabled children from Economically Vulnerable Families |
| Application Process | Online |
| Official Website | https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/ |
Aims and Objectives
Banishree Scholarship opens scope for those children who are disabled and not covered under any other scholarship scheme of the central or state government. With the help of the Banishree scheme, such students can keep studying for their future as the scholarship grants are provided for primary, secondary, higher secondary, and higher education within and outside Odisha. This scholarship scheme aims to support the education of disabled students who cannot manage expenditures related to education. Thus, this scheme will not only improve their social and economic status but also encourage them to undertake technical/professional courses and become useful members of society.
See Also: Krishi Vidya Nidhi Yojana
Key Features
- The Banishree scheme is a state-sponsored scholarship scheme for students with special needs. 100% of the finance for this scheme is managed out of Odisha’s government budget.
- This scholarship scheme provides monthly monetary support to all PwD children who are not covered under other schemes of the government.
- Banishree Scholarship is provided to children at all levels of education, including primary, secondary, higher-secondary, and higher technical and professional.
- Eligible students can submit their application via the official website of the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability.
Scholarship Amount
Under the Banishree scheme, rates of scholarship are different for within-state students and outside-state students. The rates of the scholarship amount are as below:
Within Odisha:
- Primary (Standard I to V): ₹400/-
- Middle and High School (Standard VI to VIII and IX to XI): ₹500/-
- College (+2 & +3): ₹600/-
- College (P.G.): ₹700/-
- Technical and vocational training: ₹700/-
Note: The above scholarship applies to those students only who are not covered by the Government of India Scholarship.
Outside Odisha:
- ₹250 per month will be provided to those students who pursue a normal course of study or technical/vocational/professional education/training not available in the state.
- Reader allowances will be provided at a rate of ₹200 per month for primary classes, ₹300 per month for middle and high school classes, and ₹400 per month for other studies for those students who are visually challenged.
Note: All above allowances will be provided to those students only who are not availing of similar benefits from the Government of India Scholarship.
Targeted Beneficiaries and Coverage
Scholarship Grants of the Banishree scheme apply to all students who are physically challenged and not covered under the Government of India scholarship program. Banishree Scholarship Grants are available for all students:
- In Std. I to V
- Middle & high schools (std. VI to X)
- Not covered by the Government of India scholarship.
- Studying in colleges/universities not covered by the Government of India Scholarship.
- Studying in special schools registered under PWD Act 1995 but not receiving grant-in-aid from the Central Govt.
- Pursuing distance education from recognised universities/government institutes.
- Pursuing technical/vocational/professional education from any of the recognised institutes in Odisha and outside the state.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant should be a bona fide resident of the state of Odisha.
- The applicant should be a regular student of any educational institution in Odisha.
- The parental/household income of the student is not more than INR 60,000 per annum.
- The applicant is not availing of any financial assistance, stipend, or scholarship from other schemes of the central or state government.
- It will be mandatory for each student to enrol and regularly attend their institution, whether they pass or fail to receive scholarships continuously.
Required Documents
- Identity Proof
- Disability Certificate issued by Medical Board
- Income Certificate issued by Revenue Officer
- Mark sheets of the last examination passed
Note: An income certificate is not required for students from a BPL family background.
See Also: Odisha Post Matric Scholarship Scheme
Banishree Scholarship Scheme: Apply Online 2024-25
- Visit the official website of the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability, i.e. https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/
- On doing the above step, you will reach the home screen of the official website.
- On the home screen, navigate to the Beneficiary Services Tab and click on the Banishree Scholarship Option.
- You will be redirected to a new screen where you will have two options, viz., (1) New Application and (2) Recommended Application from the Principal/Head of the Institution.
- Select the relevant option from the above two and click on the Proceed button.
- The online application form will open on your screen.
- You are required to provide your Aadhar number and verify it first.
- After you are done with the Aadhar verification, fill out the registration form with all details and submit it at last.
- Your application for the Banishree Scholarship Scheme will be submitted successfully, and you will receive a notification regarding it.
Steps to Check the Application Status
- Visit the official website of SSEPD Odisha and reach the home page of the website.
- Next, navigate to the Beneficiary Services tab and click on the Track Your Application Status option.
- You will be redirected to a new screen where you have to select Banishree Scholarship from the dropdown and click on the Proceed button.
- On the next screen, you can track your Banishree Scholarship Scheme application status by providing either your application number or the Aadhar number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which State Administers Banishree Scholarship Scheme?
The Banishree Scholarship Scheme is administered in Odisha by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability.
What studies are covered under this scheme?
Banishree scholarship covers all types of education, right from primary education to higher education.
Who can apply for scholarship assistance under the Banishree Scholarship Scheme?
All students with special needs can apply, provided that their annual household income is not more than INR 60,000 and they are not covered under the Government of India Scholarship.
What is the application process for this scholarship?
The application process is online, and one can submit his/her application by visiting the official website of SSEPD Odisha.
What is the official website to apply for the Banishree Scholarship Scheme?
The official Website is: https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/