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Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)

Merit-cum-means scheme of the Ministry of Education: above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in your Class 12 board stream, regular (not distance, not diploma) degree course, family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, no other scholarship or fee reimbursement. NOTE: NSP listings for 2026-27 show this scheme as open for RENEWAL only — fresh applicants must check NSP before applying.

Amount / benefit: ₹12,000 or ₹20,000 a year

Source: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education

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What you get

₹12,000 a year for graduation (first 3 years), ₹20,000 a year for post-graduation and for the 4th/5th year of professional courses.

Who is eligible

Open to students from any state in India
Family income up to ₹4.5 lakh per year

Final eligibility is decided by the official authority. Read the official notification before you apply.

Documents required

Class 12 marksheet (to prove the 80th percentile)
Income certificate
Aadhaar card (linked to bank account)
Bank passbook
Admission proof / fee receipt

How to apply, step by step

Go to scholarships.gov.in and open the Students section. Keep your Aadhaar and mobile number ready.
Do One Time Registration (OTR) first — it uses Aadhaar and face authentication through the NSP OTR app. You get a 14-digit OTR number that works for your whole academic career. Note it down.
Log in with your OTR number and password, then choose 'Apply for Scholarship'.
From the list of schemes, select 'Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)'. Choose the scheme that matches your category.
Fill in personal, course, institute and bank details. The bank account must be your own and Aadhaar-linked.
Upload scanned copies of the documents listed on this card.
Submit the form and save your Application ID. Your application then goes to your school/college for verification.
Track the status by logging in on NSP. If it is marked 'defective', correct it with 'Fill/Edit Application Form' before the deadline.

हिंदी में आवेदन कैसे करें

scholarships.gov.in पर जाकर Students सेक्शन खोलें। अपना आधार और मोबाइल नंबर पास रखें।
सबसे पहले One Time Registration (OTR) करें — इसमें आधार और NSP OTR ऐप से चेहरे की पहचान (face authentication) होती है। आपको 14 अंकों का OTR नंबर मिलेगा जो पूरी पढ़ाई में काम आएगा। इसे लिखकर रख लें।
OTR नंबर और पासवर्ड से लॉगिन करें, फिर 'Apply for Scholarship' चुनें।
योजनाओं की सूची में से 'Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)' चुनें। अपनी कैटेगरी वाली योजना ही चुनें।
व्यक्तिगत, कोर्स, संस्थान और बैंक की जानकारी भरें। बैंक खाता आपका अपना और आधार से लिंक होना चाहिए।
इस कार्ड में दी गई दस्तावेज़ों की सूची के अनुसार उनकी स्कैन कॉपी अपलोड करें।
फॉर्म सबमिट करें और Application ID सेव कर लें। इसके बाद आपका आवेदन आपके स्कूल/कॉलेज के पास सत्यापन के लिए जाता है।
NSP पर लॉगिन करके स्थिति (status) देखते रहें। अगर 'defective' दिखे, तो अंतिम तारीख से पहले 'Fill/Edit Application Form' से सुधार करें।

Last date

The last date is announced on the official website and can change each year. Please check the official portal before you apply.

Official website

https://scholarships.gov.in (Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education)

Details are compiled from official sources. Always confirm on the official website before applying. Found a mistake? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)?

Open to students from any state in India; Family income up to ₹4.5 lakh per year. Final eligibility is decided by the official authority.

What does Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS) give?

₹12,000 a year for graduation (first 3 years), ₹20,000 a year for post-graduation and for the 4th/5th year of professional courses. Amount: ₹12,000 or ₹20,000 a year.

Which documents are needed for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)?

Class 12 marksheet (to prove the 80th percentile), Income certificate, Aadhaar card (linked to bank account), Bank passbook, Admission proof / fee receipt.

What is the official website for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS)?

The official website is https://scholarships.gov.in (source: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education).