Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana: Central Sector Scholarship for College & University Students (2025-26): The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP), previously known as Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS), is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It aims to provide financial aid to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to pursue their higher education without financial obstacles.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana: Overview
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) – Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) |
| Objective | Provide financial aid to meritorious students from poor families for higher education |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Scholarships | 82,000 fresh scholarships every year |
| Renewal | Based on minimum 50% marks and 75% attendance |
| Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Join WhatsApp | Click Here |
Important Dates (2025-26)
| Fresh Application Start | 2 June 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 15 December 2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Open till | 31 December 2025 |
| Institute Verification Open till | 31 December 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Open till | 15 January 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
- Class 12th marks: Student must be above 80th percentile in their stream in Class XII (10+2) or equivalent.
- Course Type: Student should be pursuing a regular degree course, not a correspondence, distance, or diploma course.
- Institution: College or institution must be recognized by AICTE or related regulators.
- Other Benefit: Student should not be getting any other scholarship or fee waiver, including state scholarships.
- Family Income: Gross annual family income should be up to ₹4.5 Lakh. (Income certificate is required for fresh applicants only)
- Change of College: If a student changes college, renewal is allowed provided the new institution has a valid AISHE code.
- Missed Renewal: If renewal is missed for a particular year, the student can apply for renewal in subsequent years if all conditions are still true.
- Academic Performance: To renewal, the student must score at least 50% marks in annual exams and have a minimum 75% attendance.
- Discipline: If there are complaints about indiscipline, criminal behavior, or ragging, the scholarship may be forfeited.
- Application: Applications (fresh or renewal) must be made online on the National Scholarship Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in). Applications directly sent to the Ministry of Education will not be accepted.
Benefit Amount
| Course Duration | Yearly Scholarship Amount |
| Graduation (1st–3rd Year) | ₹ 12,000 |
| Post-Graduation | ₹ 20,000 |
| Professional Course (4th–5th Year) | ₹ 20,000 |
Scholarship amount is directly credited to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
Documents Required
Fresh Applications
- Class XII marksheet
- Income certificate (compulsory for fresh)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card (link bank account to Aadhaar)
- Institution’s AISHE code
Renewal Applications
- Previous year’s marksheet
- Attendance certificate from institution
How to Apply Online of Central Sector Scholarship Scheme 2025-26?
- Register on NSP:
- Visit scholarships.gov.in
- Perform One-Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar.
- Fill Application:
- Select “PM-USP CSSS” under Central Sector Scholarship.
- Provide all required academic, personal, and bank details.
- Submit & Upload:
- Upload documents (Class XII marksheet, income certificate, etc.).
- Review details carefully and submit.
- Track Application:
- After submission, track application status under “My Application” on NSP.
Important Links
| Apply For One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Apply For Scholarship |
| National Scholarship Portal |
| Track Your Payment |
| Check Aadhaar Seeding Status |
| AISHE Code Check |
| PFMS Payment Tracking |
| Grievance Portal |
Helpdesk & Contact
Email: sonationalscholarship@gmail.com
Helpline: 011-20862360
Address:
Ministry of Education
West Block 1, RK Puram
New Delhi – 110066
Central Sector Scholarship: FAQs
Q. Can diploma students apply for this scholarship?
A. No, only regular degree (UG/PG) students are eligible.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for application?
A. Yes, Aadhaar must be seeded with your bank account.
Q. How can I check my application’s status?
A. Log in to NSP and select “My Application” to view the current status.
Q. What if I miss renewal deadline?
A. You may apply in the subsequent academic year if you remain eligible.
Q. Are reservations applicable under this scheme?
A. Yes, reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD are applicable as per central norms.