Odisha Banishree Scholarship

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Odisha Banishree Scholarship is a financial assistance scheme of the Government of Odisha designed to support Students with Disabilities (SwDs) in continuing their education. The scheme aims to assist and encourage students with disabilities to pursue school education as well as technical, vocational and professional training so that they can develop skills, earn a livelihood and become self-reliant. Under the revised guidelines, the scheme covers all 21 categories of disabilities for which UDID certificates are issued.

The scholarship is available to students studying at different levels, including Classes I to V, Classes VI to X, colleges and universities. It also covers eligible special schools, distance education through recognized universities or Government institutes, and recognized technical, vocational and professional education. The scholarship amount depends on the level of study, with assistance ranging from ₹400 to ₹700 per month. Eligible students studying outside Odisha can receive ₹700 per month when the required course or training is not available in the State and is not covered by a Government of India scholarship.

Along with the regular scholarship, Banishree provides additional financial assistance for specific needs. Eligible visually challenged students can receive a Reader's Allowance of ₹200 to ₹400 per month, depending on their level of study. Students with 75% or more orthopedic disability who require special transport arrangements may receive an additional ₹200 per month as transport allowance, subject to the prescribed conditions. The scholarship is also available over and above other State or Central Government scholarships or stipends, provided the student meets the Banishree eligibility conditions.

To apply for the Odisha Banishree Scholarship, the applicant must be a bona fide resident of Odisha, study regularly in a recognized educational institution and possess a valid Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card. Neither parent should be an income-tax payee. For continuing eligibility, the institution verifies the student's enrolment and minimum 75% attendance. Students can apply online through the SSEPD Department portal or Odisha State Scholarship Portal, and the approved scholarship is transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

The scholarship is payable from the month of admission until the end of the academic session, including the examination month. A change in educational institution does not result in discontinuation of the scholarship, while students may also continue to receive the scholarship during an absence of up to three months when the absence is due to health reasons, subject to the scheme conditions. For the current application cycle, the application deadline shown on the scholarship portal is 30 November 2026.

Odisha also offers other scholarship schemes for eligible students, including the Bidesh Sikhyabruti and Post-Matric Scholarship schemes. Students can explore these schemes based on their education level and eligibility requirements.

Scheme Benefits

The Banishree Scholarship reduces the financial burden on students with disabilities and helps them continue their studies without discontinuing their education due to financial constraints. The scheme extends support across different stages of education and also provides additional assistance for specific educational and mobility needs.

• The scholarship provides financial assistance to students with disabilities to support their education.
• The scheme encourages students with disabilities to pursue technical, vocational and professional training.
• Eligible students receive scholarship assistance according to their level of study or training.
• Eligible visually challenged students can receive a Reader's Allowance.
• Eligible students with 75% or more orthopedic disability who require special transport arrangements may receive a transport allowance.
• The scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Category-Wise Scholarship Amount

The Banishree Scholarship provides monthly financial assistance based on the student's level of education or type of training. The applicable scholarship amount is given below:

Additional Allowances

In addition to the regular scholarship, the scheme provides additional allowances to eligible students who require reader or special transport support.

• Reader's Allowance: ₹200 per month for primary classes, ₹300 per month for middle and high school classes, and ₹400 per month for other studies.
• Transport Allowance: Additional ₹200 per month for eligible students with 75% or more orthopedic disability who require special transport arrangements.

Applicability of Banishree Scholarship

The Banishree Scholarship applies to Students with Disabilities enrolled in different levels of education and recognized training programmes. The scheme covers the following:

• Students studying in Class I to V.
• Students studying in Class VI to X.
• Students studying in recognized colleges and universities.
• Students enrolled in eligible special schools registered under the RPwD Act, 2016 and not receiving grant-in-aid from the State or Central Government.
• Students pursuing distance education through recognized universities or Government institutes.
• Students pursuing technical, vocational or professional education in recognized institutions.

Classes and Courses Eligible for Banishree Scholarship

The Odisha Banishree Scholarship covers students studying in school classes as well as those pursuing higher education, technical, professional and vocational courses. The scholarship portal lists the following classes and courses as eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following eligibility conditions to receive the benefits under the Odisha Banishree Scholarship:

• The applicant must be a bona fide resident of Odisha.
• The applicant must be a regular student enrolled in an eligible recognized educational institution and must attend the institution regularly.
• The applicant must have a valid Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card.
• The scheme covers all 21 categories of disabilities for which UDID certificates are issued.
• Neither of the applicant's parents should be an income-tax payee.
• The student can receive the scholarship even if they do not pass the examination in a particular year, provided they remain enrolled and regularly attend the institution.
• The student must be studying in a class or course covered under the Banishree Scholarship.
• The student must maintain at least 75% attendance for continuing eligibility.
• For eligible courses, the course should not be covered by a Government of India scholarship.
• Students studying outside Odisha must pursue a course or training that is not available in Odisha and is not covered by a Government of India scholarship.
• Students can apply for Banishree even if they are receiving another scholarship or stipend from the State or Central Government, subject to the scheme conditions.

Required Documents

Students applying for the Odisha Banishree Scholarship should keep the following documents ready before submitting their application. These documents are required for completing and verifying the scholarship application.

• Aadhaar Card of the Student
• Bank Passbook Copy with Account Number and IFSC Code
• Passport Size Photograph of the Student
• Marksheet of the Last Examination Passed
• Valid UDID Card/Certificate

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can apply for the Odisha Banishree Scholarship online through the State Scholarship Portal or SSEPD Department portal. Students can submit the application themselves or take assistance from their school, college or educational institution.

For the current application cycle, eligible students can submit the Banishree Scholarship application online until 30 November 2026.

Online through Odisha State Scholarship Portal

1. Visit the Odisha State Scholarship (OSS) portal.
2. Register or log in to the portal, or ask the head of your school, college, or institution to apply on your behalf.
3. Search for the “Banishree” scholarship scheme on the portal and select it.
4. Fill in the application form with your personal, academic, and disability details.
5. Upload your valid UDID certificate, Aadhaar card, passport-size photograph, and marksheet of your last exam passed.
6. Enter your bank account details (or joint account details, if you are below 18), along with the account number and IFSC code, for DBT disbursement.
7. Review the application and submit it before the last date.
8. Track your application status online. The head of your institution first verifies your enrolment and attendance, after which the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) sanctions the scholarship.

Online Through SSEPD Portal

1. Visit the official SSEPD Odisha portal to apply for the Banishree Scholarship online.
2. Open the Beneficiary Services section and select the Banishree Scholarship option.
3. Select Banishree Scholarship – Primary Level (Class I–V) or Banishree Scholarship – Upper Primary & Above (Class VI onwards) according to your level of study.
4. Enter the required personal, educational and bank account details in the Banishree Scholarship application form.
5. Upload the required documents, including the valid UDID card or certificate.
6. Check all the information entered in the application form and submit the Banishree Scholarship application online.
7. Keep the application details safely for future reference and application status tracking.

Payment Schedule

The Banishree Scholarship is payable from the month of admission until the end of the academic session, including the examination month. The scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

• The scholarship is payable from the month of admission.
• The payment continues until the end of the academic session, including the examination month.
• The scholarship is disbursed through DBT as and when required.
• Students receive an SMS or email notification when the scholarship amount is transferred.

Renewal/Continuation of Scholarship

Eligible students can continue receiving the Banishree Scholarship as long as they meet the prescribed conditions. Students must maintain the required attendance and remain enrolled in an eligible institution.

• A minimum of 75% attendance is required for continuing eligibility.
• Failing an examination in a particular year does not automatically stop the scholarship.
• Changing the educational institution does not result in discontinuation of the scholarship.
• The scholarship can continue during an absence of up to three months when the absence is due to health reasons.

Relevant Links

• Odisha Banishree Scholarship Online Application Form
• Odisha Scholarship Portal Registration Link.
• Banishree Scholarship Primary level Application Link (SSEPD Portal)
• Banishree Scholarship Upper Primary and Above Class VI (SSEPD Portal)
• Odisha Banishree Scholarship Gazette Notification.
• Odisha SSEPD Portal

Contact Information

• Odisha Scholarship Portal Contact Details