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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched 2008-08-01Verified: 2026-09-16

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

Merit-cum-means central scholarship providing ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 annually to top 80th percentile Class 12 students pursuing regular undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Education
Beneficiary Sector
Education & Learning
Applicable Jurisdiction
All India

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Annual scholarship for regular undergraduate and postgraduate study: ₹12,000 per annum for the first 3 years of undergraduate study (degree courses); ₹20,000 per annum at the postgraduate level (or in the 4th and 5th year of 5-year integrated courses like B.Tech/MBBS/Integrated M.Sc). Total 82,000 fresh scholarships awarded each year (41,000 boys and 41,000 girls) allocated state-wise based on population in the 18–25 age group. Paid directly into student bank account via DBT on the National Scholarship Portal.

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

₹570 Crore (Union Budget allocation for PM-USP CSSS)

Official Budget Document ↗
Verified Beneficiary Reach

82,000 fresh scholarships awarded annually (over 2.5 Lakh total active beneficiaries)

As of: 2024-03-31PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:17 to 25 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:₹4,50,000 per annum
Target Occupations:student, college_student
Eligible Gender:all
Social Category / Reservation:all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

Students who are above 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from a particular Board of Examination in Class XII. Must be pursuing regular (not correspondence or distance) undergraduate courses in recognized colleges/universities. Gross family income must not exceed ₹4,50,000 per annum. Must maintain at least 50% marks for annual renewal.

Required Documents Checklist

  • ✓
    Class 12 Marksheet & Board Passing CertificateMandatory

    Proof of scoring above 80th percentile cut-off.

  • ✓
    Income Certificate (< ₹4.50 Lakh per annum)Mandatory

    Issued by competent state revenue authority.

  • ✓
    College Bonafide Student Certificate & IDMandatory

    Proof of regular full-time enrollment.

  • ✓
    Aadhaar Card of the StudentMandatory

    Mandatory for OTR and DBT seeding.

  • ✓
    Aadhaar-seeded Bank Account Passbook with IFSCMandatory

    For receiving scholarship via PFMS.

How to Apply

1. Apply online on the National Scholarship Portal (https://scholarships.gov.in). 2. Complete OTR registration using student Aadhaar. 3. Select "Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students" under Department of Higher Education. 4. Enter Class 12 board roll number, year of passing, and college enrollment details. 5. System verifies student percentile score (must be above 80th percentile in the respective state board/CBSE/CISCE). 6. Upload parental income certificate (< ₹4.50 lakh per annum). 7. College verifies bonafide regular enrollment; State Education Department approves. 8. Central scholarship is credited via PFMS/DBT to the student bank account.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: scholarships.gov.in

Apply on official government website

Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

What is the cutoff score to qualify for the CSSS scholarship?

The student must score above the 80th percentile in their relevant stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) in the Class 12 examination of their respective State Board or Central Board.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

How much scholarship is paid at undergraduate versus postgraduate level?

Students receive ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years of undergraduate study, and ₹20,000 per annum for postgraduate studies or the 4th and 5th year of professional integrated courses.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Are distance learning students eligible?

No, the scholarship is strictly limited to students pursuing regular, full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree courses in recognized colleges and universities.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Scoring below 80th percentile in Class 12 board exams; parental income exceeding ₹4.50 lakh per annum; pursuing correspondence/distance education courses; receiving another government scholarship.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-09-16initial_verificationBaseline verification of PM-USP CSSS guidelines, 80th percentile benchmark, and ₹12,000/₹20,000 scholarship tiers.Official Source ↗

Application Window & Deadlines

Annual academic window: July through December on NSP

Deadline: 2026-12-31

Related Welfare Programs

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY / Skill India)

Skill certification and vocational training scheme under MSDE offering free industry-relevant job-role training, NSQF certification, and placement support.

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN / Mid-Day Meal Scheme)

National school nutrition programme providing free nutritious hot cooked meals to primary and upper-primary children in government and aided schools.

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students (Classes IX & X)

Centrally sponsored academic scholarship providing ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 annual financial support to Scheduled Caste students in Class IX and X.

Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

National Scholarship Division, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education

West Block-1, Wing-6, 2nd Floor, R.K. Puram, New Delhi - 110066

Helpline: 0120-6619540 (NSP) / 011-26172492

Jurisdiction: National (All-India)

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-09-16 against official government documentation.

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