In shortPM-USP CSSS provides Rs 12,000 per annum for the first three years of graduation and Rs 20,000 per annum for postgraduate level and years four to five of integrated professional courses. You must score above the 80th percentile in Class XII board exams, pursue a regular full-time degree, and have family income within Rs 4,50,000 annually. 82,000 fresh awards are given yearly, with 50 percent reserved for girls.
Key facts
- Offered by
- Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India
- Amount
- Rs 12,000 per annum for the first three years of graduation and Rs 20,000 per annum at postgraduate level and in the fourth and fifth years of integrated professional courses
- Income limit
- Rs 4,50,000 per annum gross parental or family income
- Opens
- 1 June 2026
- Last date
- 31 October 2026
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, now branded under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan, rewards students who did well in the class twelve board examination and then go on to a regular degree course. Eligibility is defined by percentile rather than by a fixed mark, so a student must rank above the eightieth percentile of successful candidates in their own stream and their own board, which keeps the bar comparable across very different boards.
Up to eighty two thousand fresh awards are made each year and half are reserved for girls. The scholarship pays a smaller annual amount through the first three years of a degree and a larger amount at postgraduate level and in the later years of long professional courses. Renewal is conditional on marks and attendance, and correspondence or distance courses are excluded.
Who is eligible
- Must have scored above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream of the class XII board examination
- Pursuing a regular full time degree course, not a distance or correspondence programme
- Institution must be recognised and carry a valid AISHE code
- Gross parental or family income within the prescribed ceiling
- Must secure at least 50 percent marks each year and maintain at least 75 percent attendance for renewal
- Must not be availing any other scholarship scheme at the same time
Documents you need
- Class XII mark sheet, verified through DigiLocker where available
- Income certificate, required only for fresh applicants
- Institution bonafide or admission proof with AISHE code
- Aadhaar and Aadhaar-seeded bank account details
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship?
You must have scored above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in your Class XII stream, be pursuing a regular full-time degree at an AISHE-recognised institution, have gross family income within Rs 4,50,000 per annum, and secure at least 50 percent marks each year with 75 percent attendance.
How much scholarship money will I get?
Rs 12,000 per annum for the first three years of graduation. At postgraduate level and in the fourth and fifth years of integrated professional courses, you receive Rs 20,000 per annum.
What is the last date to apply for PM-USP CSSS 2026?
The application deadline is 31 October 2026. Applications open from 1 June 2026.
What documents do I need to submit?
Class XII mark sheet verified through DigiLocker where available, income certificate for fresh applicants only, institution bonafide or admission proof with AISHE code, Aadhaar, and Aadhaar-seeded bank account details.
Can I apply if I am doing a distance or correspondence course?
No. The PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship is available only for regular full-time degree courses. Distance and correspondence programmes are not eligible.
Can I receive this scholarship along with another scholarship?
No. You cannot avail any other scholarship scheme simultaneously while receiving the PM-USP CSSS. You must choose one scholarship scheme only.
Before you apply: confirm every date, fee and eligibility rule on the official website linked on this page. Public and Policy is an independent portal, not a government body, and details change without notice.
