The PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) 2026-27 is open through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious students from lower-income families who are pursuing regular undergraduate, postgraduate or eligible professional courses.
For the 2026-27 academic year, NSP currently shows renewal applications for PM-USP CSSS as open, with the student application deadline set for October 31, 2026. Institute-level verification is scheduled to close on November 15, 2026, followed by L2 verification on November 30, 2026. Students should check their NSP dashboard for the application option applicable to them.
Under the scheme, eligible students can receive ₹12,000 per year during the first three years of graduation, while the scholarship can rise to ₹20,000 per year at the postgraduate level or during the applicable later years of certain professional courses.
Table of Contents
PM-USP CSSS Scholarship 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme | PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students |
| Department | Department of Higher Education |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Academic Year | 2026-27 |
| Fresh Scholarships | Up to 82,000 per year |
| Graduation Scholarship | ₹12,000 per annum for first 3 years |
| Postgraduate Scholarship | ₹20,000 per annum |
| Family Income Limit | Up to ₹4.5 lakh per annum |
| Application Mode | Online through NSP |
| Renewal Application Last Date | October 31, 2026 |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
What is PM-USP CSSS Scholarship?
PM-USP CSSS stands for Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students.
It is a merit-cum-means scholarship administered by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Its purpose is to help meritorious students from financially weaker families meet part of their day-to-day expenses while continuing higher education.
A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships are available annually for students pursuing graduate, postgraduate and eligible professional courses, including engineering and medical programmes.
Who is Eligible for PM-USP CSSS?
A major point students should understand is that simply passing Class 12 with good marks does not automatically make them eligible.
For a fresh scholarship, the student must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant Class 12 stream and examination board.
The major eligibility conditions include:
- The student should be above the 80th percentile in the relevant stream of the respective Class 12 board.
- The student must be pursuing a regular degree course.
- The college or institution should be recognised by the appropriate regulatory authority.
- Gross parental/family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh per year.
- The applicant should not be receiving benefits under another scholarship, fee-waiver or reimbursement scheme covered by the exclusion conditions.
- The student should have an Aadhaar-seeded bank account in their own name.
Students pursuing diploma courses, correspondence courses or distance education are not eligible under PM-USP CSSS.
How Much Scholarship Will Students Get?
The amount depends on the level and duration of the course.
| Course/Year | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| Graduation – first 3 years | ₹12,000 per year |
| Postgraduation | ₹20,000 per year |
| 4th and 5th year of eligible 5-year/integrated professional courses | ₹20,000 per year |
| B.Tech/B.E. – Years 1 to 3 | ₹12,000 per year |
| B.Tech/B.E. – Year 4 | ₹20,000 |
B.Tech and B.E. students receive the scholarship only up to the undergraduate level, with support available for four years according to the prescribed rates.
The scholarship is transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
PM-USP CSSS Renewal Rules
Getting the scholarship once does not mean that payments will automatically continue throughout the course.
For renewal, students generally need to secure at least 50% marks in the annual examination and maintain at least 75% attendance.
The scholarship can be renewed annually, subject to the scheme conditions, for a total duration of up to five years. Students should submit their renewal application within the NSP deadline even if verification at the institute or state level takes place later.
PM-USP CSSS 2026 Documents Required
Fresh applicants should generally keep their Class 12 marksheet, family income certificate, category/caste certificate where applicable, and disability certificate where applicable ready.
For renewal applications, the previous year’s marksheet is required. The institution may also ask students to provide copies of relevant documents during verification.
How to Apply for PM-USP CSSS Scholarship
Applications are handled through the National Scholarship Portal. Students need to complete One Time Registration (OTR), which is mandatory for availing scholarships through NSP.
After OTR registration, students may need to complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC and face authentication using the prescribed NSP OTR and Aadhaar FaceRD applications. Once the OTR is generated, eligible students can log in, select the appropriate scholarship application, enter the required details, upload documents and submit the form.
Students should carefully select their institution and course. Selecting an incorrect course or course duration can create problems when the scholarship is renewed in subsequent years.
How is the Application Verified?
Submitting the online application is only one part of the process. PM-USP CSSS applications undergo verification.
The application is first checked by the institution where the student is studying. It is then verified by the concerned State Higher Education Department or designated State Nodal Agency.
For the ongoing 2026-27 cycle, the currently displayed deadlines are November 15, 2026 for institute verification and November 30, 2026 for L2 verification.
How to Check PM-USP CSSS Scholarship Status
Students can log in to NSP using their Aadhaar/OTR credentials and open the application section to check the status against their Application ID.
Scholarship payment can also be tracked through the PFMS “Know Your Payment” facility, using details such as the Aadhaar number, bank account number or NSP Application ID, as applicable.
Students should make sure that their bank account is active and properly seeded with Aadhaar. This is important because scholarship payments are made through DBT.
Important Points Students Should Not Miss
PM-USP CSSS is merit-based, and meeting the basic eligibility conditions does not by itself guarantee selection. Scholarships are distributed through allocated slots and the prescribed merit methodology.
Students should also avoid confusing the 80th percentile requirement with simply obtaining 80% marks. The eligibility condition refers to being above the 80th percentile among successful candidates in the relevant stream of the student’s respective examination board.
For the 2026-27 cycle, eligible renewal applicants should complete their NSP application by October 31, 2026 and monitor the application dashboard for verification or correction requirements.
FAQs
What is the income limit for PM-USP CSSS Scholarship?
The gross parental or family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh per annum.
Is 80% in Class 12 compulsory?
The condition is not simply “80% marks.” Fresh applicants must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in their relevant stream and examination board.
Can distance-learning students apply?
No. Students pursuing correspondence or distance-mode courses are excluded from the scheme.
How much can a student receive?
The scholarship is generally ₹12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 per year at the postgraduate level, with separate provisions for later years of eligible professional courses.
What is the PM-USP CSSS renewal deadline for 2026-27?
The National Scholarship Portal currently lists October 31, 2026 as the closing date for student renewal applications.
