Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Bengal Rebrands Sabuj Sathi as Sarathi, Promises 12.59 Lakh Cycles
West Bengal has changed the name of its student bicycle program from Sabuj Sathi to Sarathi.
The government says 12.59 lakh students will get bicycles.
One report says students will begin receiving them from Class VIII instead of Class IX.
The bicycles are expected to have better tyres, lights, and safety features.
The government also wants companies to make bicycles locally in West Bengal.
Schools are set to receive a Rs 300 crore grant under the scheme.
Officials said scholarships would be available to students from all communities.
Higher secondary students will receive more support for learning materials instead of the earlier Rs 10,000 smartphone or tablet assistance.
The government also said it would revive NCC activities and expand smart-school facilities.
West Bengal has renamed the Sabuj Sathi bicycle scheme as Sarathi.
The government says 12.59 lakh students will receive bicycles, with one report specifying the 2026-27 financial year.
Bicycles will reportedly be provided from Class VIII instead of Class IX and undergo quality checks.
The government plans to allocate Rs 300 crore in school grants and support bicycle manufacturing in West Bengal.
The government also announced broader scholarships, increased learning-material support, revived NCC units, and expanded smart schools.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, announced the changes.
- What
- The government renamed the Sabuj Sathi bicycle scheme Sarathi and announced bicycles, school grants, scholarships, learning-material support, NCC revival, and school upgrades.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday; bicycle distribution is planned for the current academic year, with one report identifying 2026-27.
- Where
- The launch and cycle distribution programme took place at Madhusudan Pal Chowdhury High School in Bhatra, Howrah.
- Why
- The government says the changes will improve student travel, bicycle quality, school facilities, educational support, physical fitness, and safety.
Current BJP Government
Previous TMC Government
Bicycle quality
Current BJP Government
The current government alleges that the previous administration supplied substandard bicycles and says Sarathi bicycles will undergo quality testing with improved safety features.
Previous TMC Government
The previous government’s response is not included in the reports; the allegation is made by the current government.
Scholarships
Current BJP Government
The current government says scholarships will be provided to students from every community and alleges that the previous administration distributed benefits discriminatorily.
Previous TMC Government
The previous government’s response is not reported, and the claim about discriminatory distribution remains an allegation by the current government.
Education policies
Current BJP Government
The current government says it has restored or plans to restore NCC and NSS-related activities, improve English and computer education, and provide more learning-material support instead of the earlier Rs 10,000 device assistance.
Previous TMC Government
The previous government is accused of reducing English and computer education, withdrawing NCC and NSS activities, and providing Rs 10,000 for smartphones or tablets; no response from it is included.
- Scheme name
- Sabuj Sathi has been renamed Sarathi, while its core objective of providing bicycles to eligible students remains.
- Students covered
- 12.59 lakh students are expected to receive bicycles; one report says this will occur during 2026-27.
- Distribution class
- The government said bicycles will be distributed from Class VIII instead of Class IX.
- Bicycle features
- The new bicycles are described as saffron-coloured and subject to three-tier quality checks covering tyres, lights, and road safety.
- School grant
- Rs 300 crore has been allocated as a composite grant for schools.
- Scheme coverage
- The scheme covers 8,228 schools, 334 blocks, and 125 municipalities and municipal corporations, according to the government.
- Smart schools
- 605 smart schools have been approved, with efforts underway to add 200 more and reach 800 during the next academic year.
Sources
Bengal govt rebrands Sabuj Sathi as Sarathi scheme, 12.59 lakh students to get cycles under it: CM
Sarathi replaces Sabuj Sathi: BJP govt launches fresh cycle scheme for school students
