West Bengal Budget for Madrasa 2025

The West Bengal Budget for Madrasa education has been a significant focus in the state’s financial planning, aiming to uplift minority communities through education, skill development, and infrastructure modernization. For the fiscal year 2025-26, the government has proposed an allocation of Rs. 5,602.29 crore to the Department of Minority Affairs & Madrasah Education.

This budget reflects the state’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that minority communities have access to quality education and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The initiatives under this budget are designed to bridge gaps in education, promote entrepreneurship, and modernize madrasa education, ensuring that students from minority communities are not left behind in the rapidly evolving world.

What is the West Bengal Budget for Madrasa?

The West Bengal budget for madrasa is a dedicated financial plan aimed at improving the educational infrastructure and opportunities for students in madrasas across the state. Madrasas, which are traditional Islamic educational institutions, have historically played a crucial role in providing education to Muslim students. However, over the years, there has been a growing need to modernize these institutions to align them with contemporary educational standards. The West Bengal budget for madrasa addresses this need by allocating funds for infrastructure development, digitalization, and skill enhancement programs.

The budget also focuses on providing scholarships, education loans, and other financial assistance to students from minority communities. This ensures that students can pursue higher education, both in India and abroad, without financial constraints. Additionally, the budget supports entrepreneurship and skill development programs, enabling minority youth to become self-reliant and contribute to the state’s economy.

Objective of West Bengal Budget for Madarsa

The primary objective of the West Bengal Budget for Madrasa is to uplift the educational standards of madrasas and improve opportunities for minority students. The government aims to provide modern education, better infrastructure, and financial support for students pursuing higher studies. The focus is also on skill development and employment generation for minority communities.

Key Objectives:

1. Improving Madarsa Infrastructure – Developing smart classrooms, digital laboratories, and science labs.
2. Scholarships for Minority Students – Providing financial assistance through the Aikyashree scholarship scheme.
3. Skill Development – Training in various professional courses and traditional crafts.
4. Employment Support – Offering financial aid and loans for self-employment.
5. Higher Education Promotion – Supporting students pursuing professional and technical courses.
6. Modernizing Madarsa Education – Implementing e-learning and computer-based training.
7. Support for Minority Women – Providing financial aid and vocational training.
8. Encouraging Entrepreneurship – Helping minority youth start businesses.

Benefits of West Bengal Budget for Madarsa

The West Bengal budget for madarsa provides numerous benefits to minority students and communities. Some of the key advantages include:

1. Scholarship and Financial Assistance

• The Aikyashree scholarship program received around 45 lakh applications in 2024-25.
• More than 16 lakh scholarships were disbursed by December 2024.
• Over 898 education loans worth Rs. 21.83 crore were provided to minority students pursuing professional courses in India and abroad.

2. Modernization of Madarsa Education

• 600 smart classrooms and 100 digital laboratories were approved for madrasas.
• Science laboratories in 76 madrasas are being upgraded.
• E-books and computer-based education are being introduced.

3. Infrastructure Development

• The government has built 605 hostels for minority students, with 463 already operational.
• Boundary walls for graveyards and rural infrastructure improvements are part of the plan.
• English Medium Madrasahs are being developed to provide quality education.

4. Skill Development and Training

• 135 candidates are receiving training at NIFT, and 140 are in MSME Tool Rooms.
• 4,000 masons in Murshidabad and Malda completed Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs.
• Mushroom cultivation training was provided to 900 youth.
• RPL training for Jori work, gems, jewellery, and the leather industry is ongoing.

5. Entrepreneurship and Employment Opportunities

• The government extended term loans and microfinance to 9,201 individuals and 52,707 Self-Help Group (SHG) women members.
• Since 2011, over 1,29,679 individuals have benefited from term loans.
• More than 13,57,874 people have received microfinance support.

6. Competitive Exam Coaching

• Jogyashree Civil Services Coaching for Minorities was launched for 100 IAS and UPSC aspirants.
• Coaching for Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police recruitment was provided to 1,800 candidates.

7. Development of Karmatirthas (Marketing Hubs)

• 305 Karmatirthas are being developed to support artisans and cultivators.
• 13 Karmatirthas became operational this year, bringing the total to 266.
• 23 more Karmatirthas are expected to be completed by the fiscal year-end.

West Bengal Budget for Madrasa 2025 PDF Download

To download the West Bengal Budget for Madrasa 2025 in PDF format, follow these simple steps:

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Visit the Official Website
   • Open your browser and go to the West Bengal Finance Department official website:
     https://finance.wb.gov.in
2. Find the Budget Section
   • On the homepage, look for the “Budget” or “Budget Publications“ section.
   • Click on the link that says “West Bengal Budget 2025-26”
3. Select the Budget Speech or Statement
   • You will see multiple documents related to the budget.
   • Look for “Budget Speech 2025” or “Detailed Budget Document”
   • Click on the PDF download link.
4. Download the PDF
   • Once you click on the link, the PDF will open in a new tab.
   • Click on the download button (usually a downward arrow) to save the file to your device.
5. Check the File
   • Locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder.
   • Open the file and search for keywords like “Madrasa”, “Minority Affairs”, or “Madrasah Education” for relevant details.

Key Initiatives Under the West Bengal Budget for Madrasa

The West Bengal budget for madrasa includes several key initiatives that have had a significant impact on the lives of minority communities. These initiatives are designed to address various aspects of education, skill development, and infrastructure.

1. Aikyashree Scholarship Scheme: Launched in 2019-20, the Aikyashree scholarship scheme has been one of the most successful initiatives under the budget. In the year 2024-25 alone, the scheme received around 45 lakh applications, with over 16 lakh scholarships disbursed. Till date, 33 lakh scholarships have been disbursed, enabling thousands of students to pursue their education.
2. Education Loans: The budget has also sanctioned education loans for meritorious students from minority communities. This year, 898 education loans amounting to Rs. 21.83 crore were sanctioned for students pursuing professional, technical, and vocational courses in India and abroad.
3. Entrepreneurship Development: The budget has extended term loans and microfinance to thousands of beneficiaries, including women members of self-help groups (SHGs). This year, term loans were extended to 9,201 beneficiaries, while microfinance was provided to 52,707 SHG women members, totaling Rs. 245.34 crore in loans.
4. Modernization of Madrasas: The budget has allocated funds for the modernization of madrasas, including the creation of 600 smart classrooms, 100 digital laboratories, and the upgrading of science laboratories in 76 madrasas. These initiatives are expected to be completed within the current fiscal year.
5. Infrastructure Development: The budget has also focused on bridging infrastructure gaps in minority-concentrated areas. This includes the construction of hostels, marketing hubs, and other facilities. This year, Rs. 92.42 crore was released under the Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), Rs. 65.12 crore under the Infrastructure Development Programme (IMDP), and over Rs. 120.30 crore under the Minority Development Fund (MDW).
6. Skill Development Training: The budget has prioritized skill development training for minority youth through institutions like the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), MSME Tool Rooms, and WEBEL. Currently, 135 candidates are enrolled in NIFT courses, and 140 are enrolled in MSME Tool Rooms courses. Additionally, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program has provided certification to over 4,000 masons in Murshidabad and Malda.
7. Aliah University: Aliah University, which has grown to include 23 departments and 50 programs, has also benefited from the budget. During the 2024-25 academic year, 1,939 new students enrolled in various programs, with 109 new PhD students and 35 PhD degrees awarded. The university’s Training and Placement Cell organized campus drives resulting in job offers for 177 graduates.

Implementation of Online Services for Madarsas

To ensure transparency and efficiency, the West Bengal government has introduced several online initiatives for madarsa education. These include:

• Online registration for board exams.
• Data verification for students.
• Applications for Post Publication Review (PPR) and Post Publication Scrutiny (PPS).
• Semester system introduced for the Fazil course, aligning it with the WBCHSE system.

Special Development Schemes for Madarsa Areas

The government also focuses on developing infrastructure in minority-dominated areas through different schemes:

• Multi-Sectoral Development Program (MsDP): Rs. 92.42 crore allocated for various projects.
• Infrastructure Development in Minority Areas (IMDP): Rs. 65.12 crore released.
• Minority Development Works (MDW): Over Rs. 120.30 crore allocated for projects in minority-concentrated districts.

Since 2011, more than 5.05 lakh projects have been completed under these schemes, with a total expenditure exceeding Rs. 10,337 crore.

Role of Aliah University in Minority Education

Aliah University plays a significant role in higher education for minority students. The university has expanded its academic offerings and infrastructure with government support. Key highlights for 2024-25:

• 23 departments and 50 programs.
• 1,939 new student enrollments.
• 109 new PhD students.
• 35 PhD degrees awarded.
• Campus placement drives resulted in job offers for 177 graduates.

Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Support

The government has also launched various training programs to promote skill development and entrepreneurship among minority students:

• Training with NIFT, MSME Tool Rooms, and WEBEL:
  • 135 candidates enrolled in NIFT courses.
  • 140 candidates enrolled in MSME Tool Rooms courses.
• Short-term Entrepreneur Development Programme (EDP):
  • Over 2,300 individuals trained.
• Training in mushroom cultivation:
  • 900 youths trained across various districts.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program:
  • Over 4,000 masons certified in Murshidabad and Malda.

Online Initiatives in Madarsa Education

To ensure efficient service delivery, the government has introduced several online initiatives, such as:

• Online registration for board exams.
• Data verification systems.
• Applications for Post Publication Review (PPR) and Post Publication Scrutiny (PPS).
• The semester system for the Fazil course has been adopted to align with WBCHSE.

Financial Support for Minority Development

The West Bengal budget for madarsa also focuses on financial support for minority-concentrated areas through schemes like:

• Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP): Rs. 92.42 crore was released this year.
• Infrastructure Development in Minority Areas (IMDP): Rs. 65.12 crore was allocated.
• Minority Development Works (MDW): Rs. 120.30 crore was invested.

Since 2011, more than 5.05 lakh projects have been completed under these schemes, with an expenditure of over Rs. 10,337 crore.

Higher Education and Research Support

• Aliah University expanded to 23 departments and 50 programs.
• The university received a B+ accreditation from NAAC.
• In 2024-25, 1,939 new students enrolled, including 109 PhD students.
• The Training and Placement Cell helped 177 graduates secure jobs.

Hostel Facilities and Student Support

To improve access to education for minority students:

• 605 hostels are being built, with 463 already functional.
• Each student receives Rs. 10,000 annually as a maintenance grant.

Impact of the West Bengal Budget for Madarsa

The West Bengal budget for madarsa has had a significant impact on minority communities by:

• Enhancing the quality of education in madrasas.
• Providing financial support to students for higher education.
• Creating job opportunities through skill training and entrepreneurship programs.
• Modernizing madrasas with smart classrooms and digital learning tools.
• Ensuring the holistic development of minority students and communities.

Conclusion

The West Bengal budget for madarsa is a well-planned initiative that supports minority education, employment, and overall community development. With a strong focus on scholarships, skill development, modern education, and financial aid, the government is working towards the betterment of minority students and institutions. The budget allocation of Rs. 5,602.29 crore ensures that madrasas and minority communities receive the necessary support to grow and prosper in the coming years.