Swami Vivekananda ‘Merit Cum Means Scholarship’ (SVMCM) popularly known as Swami Vivekananda Scholarship is the most popular scholarship in West Bengal. It was formed to encourage meritorious students from economically weaker families in the state to pursue higher education and the scholarship was revamped in 2016 to cover more students as well as increasing the amount of scholarship money.
This scholarship is also known as Vikas Bhavan Scholarship as it is administered by Vikas Bhavan. This scholarship is not only for toppers but non toppers can also apply for this scholarship.
This article discusses the scholarship benefits, eligibility criteria, how to apply online and other important issues in detail.
What is Swami Vivekananda Scholarship?
Every year lakhs of meritorious students of the state are benefited by Swami Vivekananda Scholarship. In this scholarship, students from post-secondary i.e. 11th class to postgraduate level and even medical and technical students get financial assistance. Financial assistance under this scholarship is provided from a minimum of ₹12,000/- to a maximum of ₹96,000/- per annum.
Previously, this scholarship was available if you got 75% marks, now students can get this scholarship by getting only 60% marks. So in that case more number of scholarship applications are being submitted than before.
With the new application of this scholarship the number of renewals has also increased as compared to the previous years so all in all the government has to increase the budget for this scholarship as well. In 2021-22, where the budget of this scholarship was ₹1100 crore, the current budget for 2023-24 has increased to ₹1500 crore.
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Details
Brief description of West Bengal Swami Vivekananda Scholarship is given below:
| Scheme Name | Swami Vivekananda Scholarship |
| Entrepreneur | West Bengal Govt |
| Project budget | ₹1500 crores |
| Managed center | Bikash Bhavan |
| Purpose | Providing financial assistance to the meritorious students of the state and increasing the rate of higher education |
| Type of scholarship | Merit and financial situation |
| Scholarship Amount | Monthly ₹1000 – ₹8000/- Rs |
| Official website | svmcm.wbhed.gov.in |
Who will get the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship?
As the SVMCM scholarship provides a wide range of support to the students, the eligibility criteria is also significant. Listed below are the eligibility criteria for this scholarship:
- Applicants must be residents of West Bengal.
- This scholarship is sanctioned depending on the merit and financial situation of the eligible students.
- In case of SVMCM scholarship the total family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹2,50,000/- per annum.
- Applicants can be regular mode students of class XI and XII.
- Students of science, arts, commerce and medical and engineering courses studying at undergraduate or graduate level can also apply for this scholarship.
- Applicant must be a student of ‘West Bengal Board of Secondary Education’, ‘West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education’, ‘Madrasah Education for Higher Secondary Level’ or graduate level scholarship.
- The applicant can be a 2023 candidate who has passed with 60% marks or a 2022, 2021, 2020 or 2019 candidate who has not been admitted due to unavoidable reasons.
- Diploma course students from institutes approved by ‘All India Council for Technical Education’ (AICTE) are also eligible for this scholarship.
- Students pursuing Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy courses from institutions approved by ‘West Bengal State Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Skill Development’ (WBSCTVE&SD) can also apply for ‘Under Graduate Level’ Scholarship.
- Besides, students of pharmacy course approved by ‘State Medical Faculty’ can also apply for undergraduate level scholarship.
- Graduate level scholarship can be applied for with 53% aggregate marks in General Education graduation from any State University.
- 55% marks at Graduation level from any State University or AICTE approved Institute of West Bengal for Scholarship in respect of Post Graduate or Post Graduate Engineering, Technology or Pharmacy courses.
- Students pursuing M.Phil course and Doctoral course (Non-Net Junior Research Fellow and Net-Lecturership) from state aided institutions are eligible for this scholarship.
- In case of female students, if they have 45% marks in their graduation, then the students in post graduate courses in science, arts and commerce stream from the universities of this state will come under this scholarship as Kanyashree (K3) applicants.
- Students who are considered eligible for this scholarship cannot apply for any other government (Central or State) scholarship or stipend for the same course. However, they can take one-time grant from any other source or support approved by the host institution.
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Now let’s see what kind of qualifications are required for students of which level.
Higher Secondary:
If the student has a total of 60% marks in the secondary examination, he can apply for this scholarship at the time of admission to class XI. However candidates outside the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education will not be eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Diploma Course (Polytechnic under DTE&T)
Those who passed Madhyamik or equivalent examination in 2022 in 1st year Polytechnic Diploma courses like Pharmacy, Modern Office Practice and Management, 2nd year Graphics and 3-D Animation or who passed Higher Secondary or equivalent examination in 2nd year of Polytechnic Diploma in case of 2 year ITI Studying they can apply for this scholarship. But candidates must have 60% marks in the exam.
Under Graduate:
State Government Council of H.S. OR Must have minimum 60% aggregate marks in Higher Secondary conducted by Madrasa Shiksha Parishad. Separate merit list will be prepared for UG Science, Arts and Commerce.
Post Graduate:
In case of Post Graduate Scholarship candidates should have at least 53% marks in Honors subject at graduation level and in this case the marks obtained in Honors subject is the only criterion for PG-level scholarship.
In case of Kanyashris, 45% marks in graduation to study in science, arts and commerce stream from state universities at postgraduate level. Also note that Kanyashree students are not required to submit income certificate and income affidavit for K-3 scholarship under Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.
Research:
In the field of research those full time M.Phil. or Ph.D. Registered for the same will enjoy the benefit of this scholarship till the submission of their research paper and net lectureship scholars are bound to inform the university authorities to stop availing the benefit of this scholarship if they are engaged as teachers.
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Renewal
In case of Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Renewal, the application for renewal of this scholarship should be submitted online within one month from the date of admission to higher class. But in that case it is mandatory to pass each semester in first attempt.
Eligibility criteria for renewal are as follows:
- A minimum of 60% marks should be obtained in all examinations from Higher Secondary level to Graduation level, even for semesters.
- 50% marks are required in both promotional and semester at postgraduate level.
The following documents are required for renewal of SVMCM Scholarship for General Degree or Master Degree students:
- 1st Renewal: SEM 1 and SEM 2 marksheets must be submitted
- 2nd Renewal: SEM 3 and SEM 4 marksheets must be submitted
Following documents are required for SVMCM Scholarship renewal for MBBS students:
- 1st Renewal: 1st MBBS Marksheet must be submitted
- 2nd Renewal: 2nd MBBS Marksheet must be provided for 2nd Renewal in next year
- 3rd and Final Renewal: MBBS Marksheet of Part-I of 3rd Professor should be provided
How much money is available in the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship?
Students selected under the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship will receive the following financial assistance:
Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI)
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Monthly stipend amount |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (Arts & Commerce)/ Under Graduate (Arts & Commerce) | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹1,000/- |
| Graduate (Science)/ Under Graduate (Science) | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹1,500/- |
| Under Graduate UGC approved other professional courses | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹1,500/- |
| Post Graduate (Arts & Commerce) | At least 53% marks in last qualifying examination for SVMCM and 45% for Kanyashree | ₹2,000/- |
| Post Graduate (Science) | At least 53% marks in last qualifying examination for SVMCM and 45% for Kanyashree | ₹2500/- |
| Post Graduate Other Professional Courses approved by UGC | At least 53% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹2500/- |
| Non Net M.Phil./Non Net Ph.D. | Date of registration not earlier than 01-04-2017 | ₹5,000/- and ₹8,000/- respectively |
Directorate of School Education (DSE)
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Monthly stipend amount |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Secondary (HS) | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹1,000/- |
| Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination (minimum qualification H.S) | ₹1,000/- |
Directorate of Technical Education (DTE)
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Monthly stipend amount |
|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate (Engineering)/ UG (ENGG.) | 60% marks in graduation level and 60% marks in diploma course from WBSCT&VE&SD | ₹5,000/- |
| PG (ENGG.) and other professional courses (AICTE approved) | 55% marks in graduation from any State University/AICTE affiliated institution of West Bengal | ₹5,000/- |
Directorate of Technical Education and Training (DTE&T)
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Monthly stipend amount |
|---|---|---|
| Polytechnic (Diploma Course) | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹1,500/- |
Directorate of Medical Education (DME)
| Course Name | Eligibility Criteria | Monthly stipend amount |
|---|---|---|
| Under Graduate (Medical-Degree) and Diploma Courses | At least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination | ₹5,000/- and ₹1,500/- respectively |
What documents are required for Swami Vivekananda Scholarship?
Applicants must upload the following important documents to apply for the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship:
- Last Board/Council/University/College Examination Marksheet (Both Sides)
- Admission Receipt
- Family Income Certificate (not applicable for girls)
- Aadhaar ID/Voter ID/Ration Card/certificate issued by concerned authority as proof of address
- Scan copy of bank passbook (1st page, account number and IFSC code)
- In case of any year gap or year gap declaration from the head of the institution is required. But it will be required only if the applicant identifies 2022 or earlier years as qualifying years.
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Application
To apply for SVMCM Scholarship first you need to register.
You can apply for Swami Vivekananda Scholarship by following the following steps:
- You have to visit the official portal of SVMCM.
- Click on the ‘Registration’ button on the right side of the menu.
- Then a popup message will appear where you have to select ‘Topper’ or ‘Non-Topper’.
- Then you will reach the ‘How to apply’ page, where detailed information about the application process will be provided. You have to go to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Proceed for Registration’.
- Then you will reach the ‘Registration Category’ page where you will see a total of 5 types of categories, you have to select the correct category and click on ‘Apply For Fresh Application’.
- Then the ‘REGISTRATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP’ form will open where the name of the exam, name of the board, year of the exam, total marks obtained, which course is currently admitted and also click on ‘Register’ with the name and password. Then the registration process will be completed after the OTP verification on the mobile.
- After registration, go to ‘Applicant Login’ from the menu and login by entering the ID and password and filling the captcha.
- After login you have to go to ‘Application Details’ and then ‘Edit Application’ fill the rest of the application details like applicant’s photo, signature, personal details, family address, bank details etc. and some important documents like board exam marksheet, aadhaar or ration card. , copy of bank passbook, income certificate etc. should be scanned and uploaded as PDF.
- Once the form is completely filled, click on ‘Submit Application’ and download and print the acknowledgment slip. Then the form, slip and photocopies of the documents attached to the form should be submitted to the respective educational institution together.
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Helpdesk
Candidates can contact the following helpdesk in case of any difficulty:
Email: helpdesk.svmcm-wb@gov.in
Phone: +1800-102-8014
