The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana, through its Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, is a national initiative aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically weaker families in continuing their higher education. By providing financial assistance based on Class XII performance, the scheme ensures that students who score above the 80th percentile and belong to low-income households can pursue regular graduate, postgraduate, professional, and technical studies without financial burden. It promotes educational equity, reduces dropout rates after Class XII, and strengthens India’s commitment to accessible and affordable higher learning.

Dates and Objectives of the Scheme

Important Dates for 2025

• Scheme Open From: 02 June 2025
• Student Application Last Date: 30 November 2025
• Defective Application Verification: Till 15 December 2025
• Institute Verification: Till 15 December 2025
• District/State/Ministry Nodal Officer Verification: Till 31 December 2025

Objectives of PM-USP CSSS

• To provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families.
• To help students cover day-to-day academic expenses during higher studies.
• To support continuation of graduate, postgraduate, and professional education.
• To reduce dropout rates after Class XII due to financial constraints.
• To promote inclusive access to higher education across all states and union territories.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Scholarships awarded based on Class XII results of State Boards, CBSE, and ICSE.
• 82,000 fresh scholarships provided every year.
• Applicable for regular degree courses only, not distance education.
• Available for general, professional, postgraduate, and integrated courses.
• Digital verification of academic and personal credentials through DigiLocker.
• Scholarship continues even if the student changes college, provided the course and AISHE code remain valid.
• Allows students who missed renewal in one year to apply for renewal in the next year, if eligible.
• Scholarships disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to the student’s bank account.
• Institution and State authorities must follow a time-bound verification process.

Scholarship Amount

Graduation Level

• ₹12,000 per year for the first three years.

Post-Graduation Level

• ₹20,000 per year.

Professional and Integrated Courses (5-year programs)

• ₹12,000 per year for Years 1, 2, and 3
• ₹20,000 per year for Years 4 and 5

Technical Courses (B.Tech / B.E. etc.)

• ₹12,000 per year for Years 1, 2, and 3
• ₹20,000 in the 4th year

Special Note

• For scholarships related to Academic Year 2021-22, the rate remains ₹10,000 per year for the first three years.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

• Must have scored above the 80th percentile in Class XII from the respective Board.
• Must be pursuing a regular, full-time degree program.
• Not eligible if pursuing distance or correspondence courses.

Institution Requirements

• Must study in institutions recognized by regulatory bodies and having valid AISHE code.

Income Requirement

• Gross parental/family income must be ₹4.5 lakh per annum or lower.
• Income certificate required only for fresh students.

Other Conditions

• Cannot receive any other scholarship or fee waiver from state or central schemes.
• Students changing college/institution may continue receiving the scholarship.
• Students who missed renewal once may apply the next year.

Renewal Criteria

• At least 50% marks in the yearly examination.
• Minimum 75% attendance.
• No involvement in indiscipline, ragging, or criminal activity.

Reservation Policy

The scheme follows the Central Reservation Policy:

• 15% for Scheduled Castes (SC)
• 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST)
• 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBC)
• 5% horizontal reservation for students with Benchmark Disabilities (40% or more)

If any category does not fill its quota, the remaining slots may be allocated to other categories while adhering to the required guidelines.

Distribution of Scholarships

State-wise Distribution

• Scholarships are divided based on each state’s population aged 18–25 years.
• Shares of CBSE and ICSE are calculated separately based on the number of students passing out.

Gender-based Distribution

• 50% of all scholarships are reserved for girls, ensuring gender balance.

UT-specific Distribution

• Out of the slots reserved for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, 3% are earmarked exclusively for Ladakh.

Stream-wise Distribution

Scholarships within each state are allocated in the ratio:

• Humanities – 3 parts
• Science – 3 parts
• Commerce – 1 part

Interchangeability

• If there is a shortfall in any group, the slots can be interchanged among categories, gender, and states.

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Registration

• Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
• Click “New Registration.”
• Enter personal details, board information, Aadhaar, mobile number, and email.
• Receive the Application ID.

Step 2: Login and Fill Application Form

• Login using Application ID and password.
• Fill in personal, academic, income, and bank details.
• Select the relevant scholarship category.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

• Class XII mark sheet
• Income certificate (for fresh applicants)
• Aadhaar
• Admission proof
• Category certificate, if applicable
• Bank passbook
• All documents are digitally verified where possible.

Step 4: Institute Verification

• The application is forwarded to the student’s college/university.
• Institute Nodal Officer verifies eligibility, documents, attendance, and course validity.

Step 5: State Nodal Officer Verification

• After institute approval, the application goes to the State Nodal Officer.
• State authorities confirm eligibility, board percentile, income, and category.

Step 6: Merit List Generation

• NSP generates the selection list based on:
  • 80th percentile score
  • category reservation
  • state quota
  • gender quota
  • stream ratio

Step 7: Scholarship Disbursement

• Selected students receive funds directly in their bank accounts via DBT.
• Students may check payment status through the PFMS “Know Your Payment” option.