The West Bengal SARATHI Scheme is a student welfare initiative that provides bicycles to eligible school students in West Bengal. The programme is intended to make daily travel to school easier, particularly for students who have to travel a considerable distance to attend classes.
The bicycle distribution programme is associated with the state’s long-running Sabooj Sathi initiative. Current West Bengal government information continues to describe Sabooj Sathi as a scheme for distributing bicycles to students in government and government-aided schools, while the current implementation material supplied for this article identifies the programme as SARATHI.
For the latest implementation material, the SARATHI programme is aimed primarily at eligible Class IX students studying in government-run and government-aided schools and madrasahs. Students generally do not have to submit an individual online application themselves; their details are handled and verified through their school.
West Bengal SARATHI Scheme 2026: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | West Bengal SARATHI Scheme |
| Main Benefit | Free bicycle |
| Primary Beneficiaries | Eligible Class IX students |
| Eligible Institutions | Government and government-aided schools and madrasahs |
| Application Method | Through the respective school |
| Student Application Fee | No separate application fee |
| Implementing Agency | West Bengal SC, ST & OBC Development & Finance Corporation |
| Main Purpose | Easier transportation to school and support for continued education |
| Official Programme Website | SARATHI Portal |
The supplied scheme information identifies the West Bengal SC, ST & OBC Development & Finance Corporation as the nodal implementing agency. The Corporation’s official website currently lists Sarathi – For School Students among its programmes.
What Is the West Bengal SARATHI Scheme?
SARATHI is a bicycle-distribution programme designed to support students attending secondary school in West Bengal.
For many students, transportation can become a practical barrier to attending school regularly. Providing a bicycle can reduce the difficulty and cost associated with daily travel and make it easier for students to continue their education.
The programme also supports broader educational objectives such as improving school attendance, reducing the likelihood of students dropping out and encouraging students to continue studying after secondary school.
The underlying bicycle-distribution programme has been operating in West Bengal for several years. Government sources describe Sabooj Sathi as a programme launched in 2015 to provide bicycles to students and encourage school retention, higher education and student mobility.
What Is the Main Benefit of SARATHI?
The primary benefit under the scheme is a free bicycle for an eligible student.
The bicycle can help students:
- Travel to and from school more conveniently
- Reduce daily transportation difficulties
- Attend school more regularly
- Continue their education with fewer travel-related barriers
- Improve personal mobility
- Reduce dependence on paid transportation for everyday school travel
The scheme is therefore more than simply a bicycle-distribution programme. Its broader objective is to support students in remaining connected with education.
Who Can Benefit From the SARATHI Scheme?
According to the current scheme information supplied for this article, the primary beneficiaries are students studying in Class IX during the relevant academic year.
Students must generally be enrolled in a:
- Government-run school
- Government-aided school
- Eligible government or government-aided madrasah
The supplied implementation information also states that student records are verified through the SARATHI system before the bicycle is distributed.
Important clarification
Older government information about the bicycle programme refers to students from Class IX to Class XII.
However, the current SARATHI implementation material provided for this article specifically identifies Class IX students as the beneficiaries. Therefore, students should confirm their eligibility with their school rather than assuming that the older Class IX–XII criteria still apply to the current phase.
SARATHI Scheme Eligibility Criteria
A student generally needs to satisfy the following conditions:
- The student should be studying in Class IX during the applicable academic year.
- The student should be enrolled in a government-run or government-aided school or eligible madrasah in West Bengal.
- The student’s details should be available in the relevant student database or entered into the SARATHI system by the school.
- The student’s information must be verified by the school authorities.
- The verified record must go through the required validation process.
- The student should not already have received a bicycle under the programme.
Eligibility is therefore largely handled through the student’s school rather than through a conventional individual application.
Documents Required for SARATHI Scheme
Students are generally not required to submit a separate application for the bicycle.
However, the school may require certain information or documents when verifying a student’s profile.
These may include:
- Proof of admission or enrolment in Class IX
- School identity card
- Student registration or admission number
- Residential address
- Active mobile number of the student or parent/guardian
- Aadhaar or another identity document, if requested by the school
- Information regarding previous receipt of a bicycle under the scheme
The exact documents requested can depend on the student’s existing school record and the verification requirements of the current phase.
How to Apply for the West Bengal SARATHI Scheme?
One of the most important things students should know is that there is generally no separate individual application process.
The application and verification process is handled through the student’s school.
Step 1: Student information is collected
The student’s academic and personal information is made available to the school through the relevant education records or entered by the school where necessary.
Step 2: School verifies the information
The school checks the student’s details and makes sure that the information required for the scheme is correct.
Step 3: Head of Institution verifies the record
The Head of Institution or authorised school authority verifies and finalises the student’s record through the SARATHI system.
Step 4: Records undergo validation
The finalised records are submitted for the required validation by the concerned authorities.
Step 5: Bicycle distribution
After successful verification and approval, eligible students receive their bicycles through their respective schools.
What should you do if your name is missing?
If you are a Class IX student who appears to meet the eligibility requirements but your name is not appearing in the scheme records, contact your school authorities first.
Ask the school to check:
- Whether your student profile has been entered
- Whether your information has been verified
- Whether your record has been finalised
- Whether any correction is required
- Whether your record has been included in the relevant beneficiary phase
How to Check SARATHI Scheme Beneficiary Status?
Students can check whether their name appears in the beneficiary records through the SARATHI portal when the relevant beneficiary-search facility is available.
The process described in the supplied scheme information is:
- Open the SARATHI portal.
- Select the Bicycle Distribution section.
- Choose your District.
- Select your Block.
- Select your School.
- Select the relevant Phase.
- Click Search.
- Review the displayed beneficiary list.
- Check whether the student’s name appears in the list.
If your name is not displayed, this does not necessarily mean that you are permanently ineligible. Your school should first verify whether your record has been entered and approved correctly.
SARATHI Student Login
The current scheme information also provides a student-login facility through the SARATHI portal.
Students should use the official portal rather than relying on unofficial websites or third-party links claiming to provide SARATHI registration or beneficiary services.
The West Bengal SC, ST & OBC Development and Finance Corporation’s official website identifies SARATHI as a programme for school students.
How to Correct Information in the SARATHI Record?
Incorrect information in a government beneficiary record can cause problems during verification or distribution.
According to the supplied current implementation information, schools can update certain details during profile verification. In particular, the supplied material states that address and mobile number can be updated during verification.
If another part of the student’s profile is incorrect, the school may need to reject the existing record and create or submit the information again through the SARATHI system.
Therefore, students should contact their school as soon as they notice an error instead of waiting until bicycle distribution.
Is There Any Income Limit?
The supplied scheme material does not establish a specific family-income limit as an eligibility requirement.
Students should therefore avoid relying on websites that claim that a particular income ceiling automatically determines SARATHI eligibility unless that requirement is stated in the current official guidelines.
The main eligibility factors described in the current material relate to the student’s class, school, profile verification and previous bicycle-receipt status.
Is Aadhaar Mandatory for SARATHI?
The supplied material does not state that every student must submit Aadhaar as a universal condition for receiving the bicycle.
A school may request Aadhaar or another identity document for verification where required.
Therefore, students should follow the document requirements communicated by their school for the relevant implementation phase.
What If a Student Has Already Received a Bicycle?
Previous receipt of a bicycle is an important part of the verification process.
The supplied SARATHI information states that the student’s previous bicycle-receipt status is checked during profile verification. A student who has already received a bicycle under the programme may therefore not be eligible for another bicycle under the same benefit.
SARATHI Scheme Helpline and Support
For assistance regarding the scheme, students and parents should first approach their school authorities because beneficiary records and verification are handled through the school system.
The supplied SARATHI scheme information lists the following contact details:
Helpline: 9147422628
Email: support.sarathi.wb@gmail.com
Before relying on any contact number found on a third-party website, users should cross-check the latest contact information through the official SARATHI or West Bengal SC, ST & OBC Development and Finance Corporation website.
Important Points About SARATHI Scheme 2026
Keep these points in mind before looking for an application form:
- SARATHI is a student-focused bicycle distribution programme.
- Current implementation information supplied for this article focuses on Class IX students.
- Students generally do not need to submit an individual application.
- The school plays a central role in entering and verifying student information.
- Eligibility does not mean that a bicycle will be delivered immediately; the student’s record must pass the required verification and validation process.
- Students should keep their school and personal information accurate.
- If your details are incorrect, contact your school as early as possible.
- Use official government portals for beneficiary-status checks.
- Be careful of websites asking for money in exchange for SARATHI registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West Bengal SARATHI Scheme?
The West Bengal SARATHI Scheme is a government bicycle-distribution programme for eligible school students. Its purpose is to make school transportation easier and support continued education.
Who is eligible for the SARATHI Scheme?
The current implementation material supplied for this article identifies eligible Class IX students studying in government-run and government-aided schools and madrasahs in West Bengal.
Is SARATHI the same as Sabooj Sathi?
The bicycle-distribution programme is historically associated with Sabooj Sathi. Current government information still describes Sabooj Sathi as West Bengal’s bicycle-distribution programme, while the current implementation material supplied for this article identifies the programme as SARATHI.
Do students have to apply online themselves?
Generally, no. Student information is handled through the respective school, which verifies and finalises the beneficiary record.
Is there an application fee?
No separate fee is indicated for students to submit an application under the scheme.
How can I check my SARATHI beneficiary status?
Use the beneficiary-search facility on the SARATHI portal, where available. The supplied procedure involves selecting the district, block, school and relevant phase before searching for the student’s name.
What should I do if my name is not on the beneficiary list?
Contact your school and ask the authorities to check your SARATHI profile, verification status and inclusion in the relevant beneficiary phase.
Can I apply directly from a cyber café?
The scheme is primarily processed through the student’s school. Visiting a cyber café does not replace the school’s role in verification and finalisation.
Is Aadhaar compulsory?
The supplied scheme information does not establish Aadhaar as a universal standalone eligibility condition. Your school may request Aadhaar or another identity document for verification.
Is there an income limit?
The supplied current scheme information does not specify a family-income limit as an eligibility criterion.
Final Words
The West Bengal SARATHI Scheme is designed to address a simple but important problem: getting students to school safely and conveniently.
For eligible students, the free bicycle can reduce daily travel difficulties and support regular attendance. Since the process is largely managed through schools, students and parents should focus on ensuring that the student’s school records and required information are correct.
If you believe you are eligible but your name is missing, the best first step is to contact your school and ask them to check your SARATHI record rather than submitting applications through unofficial websites.
For the latest information, always verify scheme notices, beneficiary lists and portal instructions through official West Bengal government sources.