Education is one of the most essential components of a student’s overall growth. It is necessary for both personal growth and professional opportunity. However, many students failed to continue their studies due to financial constraints. To efficiently address this issue, the Government of West Bengal has launched a transformative initiative named as, merit cum means Swami Vivekananda Scholarship. It is named after one of the most outstanding leaders, philosophers, and visionaries India has ever had. The intent of the scholarship is more than providing financial support. The scholarship is a heartfelt tribute to Vivekananda’s belief in the strength of youth and education.
SVMCM scholarship helps meritorious students from low-income family backgrounds. The scholarships support students from different stages of their education. From students in Class 11, UG, PG, engineering, medical, diploma, to research courses, it equally works for all. Depending upon the range or level of the course, the scholarship amount ranges from ₹1,000 to ₹8,000 per month. Thus, no matter what stage you are in, the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is ready to make your studies smooth and pursue your dreams faster. This blog will walk you through eligibility criteria, benefits, and the application process for the SVMCM scholarship.
Eligibility for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship
The first and foremost eligibility criterion is that the student must be from West Bengal to apply for the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM). The second criterion is that the annual income of the student’s family must not exceed ₹ 2,50,000. However, more eligibility criteria need to be followed for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship remuneration. The following is a list of eligibility requirements based on the student’s educational qualification:
1. High School
- Students must have at least 60% marks in the Madhyamik Pariksha exam.
- Only students who studied through the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education are eligible.
2. Diploma
- A minimum of 60% marks is required in the qualifying exam (except optional subjects)
- The college/university and the completed courses must be approved by AICTE/PCI/CoA and affiliated to WBSCT&VE&SD.
- Qualified students include those who enrolled in the first year after passing the Madhyamik Pariksha, and those enrolled in the second year through lateral entry are also qualified.
3. Undergraduate (UG)
- Students must have a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in high school exams. He/she must be passed from the WBCHSE/Madrasha Siksha Parishad.
- Separate merit lists are released for each stream, such as Arts, Commerce, and Science streams.
4. Post Graduate (PG)
- A minimum of 53% marks is required in honors or major subjects in the graduation.
- Marks gained in the honors subject are the deciding factor to get the perks of the SVMCM Scholarship.
- The recipients of the Kanyashree scholarship pursuing PG in science, Arts, and Commerce with a minimum 45% in their undergraduate program are eligible. Also, they aren’t required to submit income proof.
5. Research Level
- Candidates with a full-time M. Phil or Ph.D research that are registered after April 1, 2027, are eligible (up to a maximum of 2 years for M.Phil and 4 years for Ph.D)
- Financial support freezes for NET-LS scholars after their appointment as teachers.
Key Benefits of SVMCM Scholarship
Once a student fulfills all the SVMCM Scholarship eligibility criteria, he/she is ready to get all the whopping benefits. One of the best features of the scholarship is that it covers all primary academic stages from higher secondary to research level. The range of scholarge is so broad that it offers financial strength to those pursuing regular courses in Class 11–12, undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, MBBS), postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc, MTech, MCom), diploma programs (polytechnic, paramedical), and research (MPhil, PhD).
Moreover, candidates from various backgrounds can apply for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship. It is also applicable to the engineering and OBC applicants. Also, the scholarship follows the recurring model throughout the scholarship period, which is a rich source of support. The following are the amounts of the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for different courses:
| Courses Names | Monthly Scholarship Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Higher Secondary (Class 11–12) | ₹1,000 |
| UG – Arts/Commerce | ₹1,000 |
| UG – Science | ₹1,500 |
| UG – Professional Courses (e.g., BTech, MBBS) | ₹5,000 |
| PG – Arts/Commerce | ₹2,000 |
| PG – Science/Technical | ₹2,500 |
| PG – Professional Courses | ₹2,500 |
| Diploma (Polytechnic, Paramedical) | ₹1,500 |
| MPhil (Non-NET) | ₹5,000 |
| PhD (Non-NET) | ₹8,000 |
| UG (Medical-Degree) and Diploma Courses | ₹5,000 and ₹1,500 respectively |
| NON-NET M.Phil./NON-NET Ph.D. | ₹5,000 and ₹8,000 respectively |
The scholarship amounts for each course and student are credited monthly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This makes it relatively easy for the student to focus on their studies without worrying about expenses.
Application Process for SVMCM Scholarship 2025
With all the details of scholarship and matching all the needed factors, now comes the application process. However, often students fill out the form without meeting the SVMCM Scholarship eligibility criteria and set impractical expectations. Therefore, a detailed cross-check is mandatory. The steps to apply for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship consist of two steps. The first one is the registration process, and the second one is the application process. Discussing both respectively:
1. Registration Process
- Visit the official website and navigate to “How to Apply”.
- Read all the instructions carefully.
- Then, begin your registration process by clicking on “Apply for Fresh Application”.
- Make registration using your name, mobile number, and email ID.
- Fill out all the required details, such as the Last Eligible Qualifying Board/Council/University Examination for Scholarship, present course of study, etc.
- After filling in all the details, click on the register.
- Accomplished the authentication via mobile OTP.
- Login credentials will be sent to your registered mobile number and an email containing the Applicant ID.
2. Apply Process
After making the successful registration for the Swami Vivekanand Scholarship, comes the application process. It includes several steps to be followed, and they are mentioned below:
- Registered applicants need to visit the official website and move to the “Applicant Login” section.
- Log in with the details sent to your mobile number and email.
- Fill out all the profile details such as personal details, qualifications, and bank details.
- Upload the needed documents in the mentioned file size and format.
- After filling in all the details and documents, a message of successful form filling will pop up.
- Applicants may download the Application details by clicking the “Download Application Details” button.
From time to time, applicants can also track the application with the help of the Applicant ID. It will ensure that the correct procedure of form filling has been followed.
Wrapping It Up!
Finance affects a student in various ways, and education is one of the most crucial. Many potential students can’t continue studying due to financial challenges. It involves the students, their family, society, and the whole nation. Thus, to deal efficiently with this issue, the SVMCM scholarship has been launched. It is a strong financial student who wants to do something outside of their studies. The scholarships support them at each level of their study age. It covers high school to graduation and post-graduation to research. Such whopping initiatives make a smooth journey for students to chase and achieve their dreams without any interruption.
Moreover, the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship also covers an extensive range of education streams to support the students. From science to commerce, art to research work are all equally priorities. The scholarship plays a vital role in enhancing the employability and promoting inclusive socio-economic development across West Bengal.
