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

MERIT

Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India

2026-27: applications close 31 Oct 2026 (official — scholarships.gov.in, checked 3 Oct 2026). Renewal applications only — NSP lists no fresh-application window for 2026-27. NSP's home page says CSSS renewals are open, with student applications closing on 31 Oct 2026 (institute verification by 15 Nov 2026); the CSSS card on NSP's scheme list says "Student Application Closed on: 30-09-2026", so renew as early as you can. Source: scholarships.gov.in ↗

A merit-cum-means scholarship from the Ministry of Education for students in the top 20 percentiles of their Class 12 board. It offers up to 82,000 fresh awards a year, half of them for girls, split by board, stream and category (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC, 5% for students with benchmark disabilities). It is renewable each year through graduation and postgraduation. Apply only on the National Scholarship Portal; your college and then the state nodal agency verify the application.

Amount
₹12,000 a year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 a year at postgraduate level. Five-year or integrated professional courses get ₹20,000 in the 4th and 5th years, and B.Tech/B.E. students get ₹20,000 in the 4th year. At most 5 years in all (up to ₹76,000), paid by DBT into an Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
Level
Undergraduate, Postgraduate
State
National (all India)
Usual window
NSP opens in June (2 Jun 2025; 1 Jun 2026 for renewals). The last date is set on NSP each year.
Income ceiling
₹4.5 lakh / year

Apply directly

Shishya does not collect applications. The link below goes straight to Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.

Open official portal ↗

Eligibility

Above the 80th percentile of successful Class 12 candidates in your stream on your board (a state board, CBSE or CISCE; the board's own list decides). You must have passed Class 12 in the last academic year (students who took a drop year are not eligible) and be in the first year of a regular degree course, not distance, correspondence or diploma, at a recognised college with an AISHE code. Gross family income up to ₹4.5 lakh a year. You cannot also hold another merit scholarship, a state-run scholarship, a fee waiver or fee reimbursement. (NSP's 2026-27 notice lets a student apply for one merit-based scheme plus welfare-based schemes, so check your case on NSP.) Renewal each year needs at least 50% marks in the annual exam and 75% attendance.

Questions

Who is eligible for PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)?
Above the 80th percentile of successful Class 12 candidates in your stream on your board (a state board, CBSE or CISCE; the board's own list decides). You must have passed Class 12 in the last academic year (students who took a drop year are not eligible) and be in the first year of a regular degree course, not distance, correspondence or diploma, at a recognised college with an AISHE code. Gross family income up to ₹4.5 lakh a year. You cannot also hold another merit scholarship, a state-run scholarship, a fee waiver or fee reimbursement. (NSP's 2026-27 notice lets a student apply for one merit-based scheme plus welfare-based schemes, so check your case on NSP.) Renewal each year needs at least 50% marks in the annual exam and 75% attendance. Family income ceiling ₹4.5 lakh a year.
How much does PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) pay?
₹12,000 a year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 a year at postgraduate level. Five-year or integrated professional courses get ₹20,000 in the 4th and 5th years, and B.Tech/B.E. students get ₹20,000 in the 4th year. At most 5 years in all (up to ₹76,000), paid by DBT into an Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
How do I apply for PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)?
Apply on the awarding body's official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/ — Shishya does not collect applications. 2026-27: applications close 31 Oct 2026 (official — scholarships.gov.in, checked 3 Oct 2026). Renewal applications only — NSP lists no fresh-application window for 2026-27. NSP's home page says CSSS renewals are open, with student applications closing on 31 Oct 2026 (institute verification by 15 Nov 2026); the CSSS card on NSP's scheme list says "Student Application Closed on: 30-09-2026", so renew as early as you can.

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