Banishree Scholarship: Complete Guide for Students with Disabilities in Odisha

The Government of Odisha, through its Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, has launched the Banishree Scholarship Scheme — a dedicated financial support program for students with special needs. The scheme encourages disabled students to pursue education, technical training, vocational courses, and professional programs without worrying about financial constraints.

If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of eligibility, documents, and last date, check out this comprehensive guide on Banishree Scholarship 2026 before applying.

Scholarship Amount — How Much Will You Get?

A. Students Studying Inside Odisha

Note: The above rates apply only to students not covered under any Government of India Scholarship.

B. Students Studying Outside Odisha

Students pursuing courses or training not available within the state, and not covered under GoI Scholarship, are eligible for ₹250 per month.

Special Allowances

Reader’s Allowance (for visually challenged students, if a reader is certified by the institution head):

• Primary classes — ₹200/month
• Middle & High School — ₹300/month
• All other studies — ₹400/month

Transport Allowance: Orthopedically handicapped students with 75% or above disability who require special transport arrangements may receive an additional ₹200/month, provided it is not covered under the Integrated Education Scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Banishree Scholarship, a student must meet the following conditions:

• Must be a bonafide resident of Odisha
• Must be a regular student enrolled in a recognized educational institution
• Annual family/parental income must not exceed ₹60,000/-
• Must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance from State or Central Government
• Scholarship continues even if the student fails in a year, as long as they are regularly attending a recognized institution

The scheme covers students across the following categories:

• Primary education (Std. I–V)
• Middle and High School (Std. VI–X), not covered by GoI Scholarship
• College/University students, not covered by GoI Scholarship
• Students in special schools registered under PWD Act 1995 (not receiving grant-in-aid)
• Students pursuing distance education through recognized universities/Govt. institutes
• Students enrolled in technical, vocational, or professional training programs

For a full eligibility checklist and category-wise details, refer to the Odisha Banishree Scholarship 2026 official guide which covers everything in one place.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Visit the official SSEPD website: ssepd.odisha.gov.in

Step 2: Under the “Beneficiary Services” section, click on “Banishree Scholarship”

Step 3: You will be redirected to the Online Application Form

Step 4: Select your relevant option — New Application or Recommended Application from Principal/Head of Institution

Step 5: Click “Proceed” — you will first need to verify your Aadhaar details before the form opens

Step 6: Fill in all required details, including your UDID Certificate Number, upload your signature, and click “Submit”

Step 7: After successful submission, take a printout of the system-generated application for your records

Quick Summary

The Banishree Scholarship is one of the most student-friendly disability scholarship schemes in India — it doesn’t penalize students for failing a year, covers a wide range of educational levels, and even provides special allowances for visually challenged and orthopedically handicapped students. If you or someone you know is a disabled student from Odisha, this scheme is absolutely worth applying for.