The Nabanna Scholarship is a financial assistance scheme run by the Government of West Bengal under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). It supports students who have passed Madhyamik (Class 10), Higher Secondary (Class 12), or Graduation and are continuing their studies but come from economically weaker families.
Unlike some state scholarships that run only once a year, Nabanna Scholarship registration is open on a rolling basis — an applicant can register once every 365 days, according to the official CMRF portal. This guide covers eligibility, the income and marks criteria, required documents and the exact application steps for 2026-27.
What is the Nabanna Scholarship 2026-27?
Nabanna Scholarship is the popular name for the education-related financial assistance disbursed under the West Bengal Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, administered by the Department of the Chief Minister’s Office. It provides a one-time (renewable) grant to help meritorious students from low-income families in West Bengal continue their education at the Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, or Postgraduate level.
Nabanna Scholarship 2026-27: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Nabanna Scholarship (Chief Minister’s Relief Fund) |
| Administered By | Department of Chief Minister’s Office, Government of West Bengal |
| Eligible Levels | Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Professional courses |
| Scholarship Amount | Financial grant (commonly up to Rs. 10,000/year; check current notification) |
| Family Income Limit | Up to Rs. 1,20,000 per year |
| Application Mode | Online via cmrf.wb.gov.in (mobile OTP registration) |
| Registration Frequency | Once every 365 days per applicant |
| Official Portal | cmrf.wb.gov.in |
Note: Scholarship amounts and last dates change with each official notification. Always cross-check the current figure on the CMRF portal before applying.
Read More: Oasis Scholarship 2026
Nabanna Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026-27
Eligibility is based on the level of study, marks obtained, and family income. The marks requirement is different depending on which level you’re seeking assistance for:
- For Higher Secondary-level assistance: 50% to less than 60% marks in Madhyamik (Class 10) or equivalent
- For Undergraduate-level assistance: 50% to less than 60% marks in Higher Secondary (Class 12) or equivalent
- For Postgraduate-level assistance: 50% to less than 53% marks in Graduation
- Must be a permanent resident of West Bengal
- Must be currently studying in an institution within West Bengal
- Annual family income must not exceed Rs. 1,20,000
- Must not be receiving any other government or non-government scholarship/stipend for the same course or stage of study
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Income certificate not issued by an authorized officer, or outdated
- Marks fall outside the specified band for that level (e.g., above 60% for HS-level assistance)
- Applicant already receiving another scholarship for the same course
- Bank account details not matching passbook/IFSC records
- Incomplete or unclear scanned documents uploaded on the portal
Case Example: How Priyanka Qualified
Priyanka Mondal, a resident of Nadia district, scored 58% in her Madhyamik exam and enrolled in Class 11 at a government-aided school. Her father’s annual income, verified through a BDO-issued income certificate, was Rs. 95,000 — within the Rs. 1,20,000 limit. Since she wasn’t receiving any other scholarship, she registered on cmrf.wb.gov.in, uploaded her marksheet, income certificate, and bank passbook copy, and received her application number by SMS within minutes. Her case shows why matching the exact marks band and having a valid, recent income certificate are the two most important factors.
Documents Required for Nabanna Scholarship
| Document | Why It’s Required |
|---|---|
| Self-declaration by student | Confirms current course/stage and no duplicate scholarship, countersigned by institution head |
| Marksheet of qualifying exam | Academic proof for the relevant level (Madhyamik/HS/Graduation) |
| Income Certificate | Verifies family income is within Rs. 1,20,000 limit; must be issued by BDO/SDO/Executive Officer or equivalent |
| Residential Certificate | Confirms permanent West Bengal residency |
| Bank Passbook (first page) | Must clearly show account number, IFSC, and account holder’s name for DBT transfer |
| Admission Receipt / Student ID | Confirms current enrollment |
| Rank card / allotment letter | Required only for professional courses (B.Tech, MBBS, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc.) |
Nabanna Scholarship Online Application Process (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official CMRF portal: cmrf.wb.gov.in
- Register using your mobile number and verify with the OTP sent to your phone
- Create a password and log in
- Fill in basic details — name, guardian’s name, Class 10 roll number, address, category, monthly income
- Submit to receive a system-generated application number (also sent via SMS)
- Log in again to enter educational qualification and bank account details
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents (each under 500KB)
- Submit the application and save the application number for status tracking
How to Check Nabanna Scholarship Application Status
- Go to cmrf.wb.gov.in
- Open the “Application Status” or tracking section
- Enter your application number and registered mobile number
- View your approval, pending, or rejection status
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nabanna Scholarship application process online or offline?
The application is submitted online through the official CMRF portal (cmrf.wb.gov.in) using mobile OTP-based registration. It is not a walk-in offline process.
What is the income limit for Nabanna Scholarship 2026-27?
The annual family income of the applicant must not exceed Rs. 1,20,000.
Can I apply if I’m already receiving another scholarship?
No. You are not eligible if you are already receiving any other government or non-government scholarship or stipend for the same course or stage of study.
How often can I apply for the Nabanna Scholarship?
An applicant is eligible for registration once every 365 days.
What is the biggest reason applications get rejected?
An invalid, outdated, or improperly issued income certificate is the most common reason, followed by marks falling outside the required band for the chosen level.
Conclusion
The Nabanna Scholarship remains one of the more accessible state-funded support schemes for West Bengal students, precisely because it accepts applications year-round rather than during a narrow window. The trade-off is that eligibility is strictly banded by marks and income, so getting your income certificate and marksheet right the first time matters more than speed. Keep your documents ready, apply through the official CMRF portal only and track your application number after submission.
My name is Alok Kumar Singh (
Scholarship Content Specialist 2+ Years Experience), the editor of this website. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and have spent over 2 years researching and publishing accurate scholarship, admission and education updates for students across India and world.
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