PM-USP CSSS Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Amount, Apply Online

If you scored well in Class 12 and are now pursuing a regular college or university course, the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) may help with your education expenses.

The scholarship is meant for meritorious students who meet the required academic and family-income conditions. Depending on the course and year of study, eligible students can receive ₹12,000 or ₹20,000 per year.

The application is handled through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Before applying, it’s important to check the eligibility conditions because scoring well in Class 12 alone does not guarantee the scholarship.

If you’re also looking for other financial-aid opportunities, you can explore our Government Scholarships page for more scholarship schemes.

PM-USP CSSS Scholarship 2026 – Overview

Details	Information
Scholarship	PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
Ministry	Ministry of Education
Type	Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
Application Portal	National Scholarship Portal
Family Income Limit	Up to ₹4.5 lakh per year
Scholarship Amount	₹12,000–₹20,000 per year
Mode of Payment	Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

The official Ministry of Education guidelines describe CSSS as a merit-cum-means scholarship for students pursuing higher education.

Who Can Apply for PM-USP CSSS Scholarship?

The eligibility rules are important because the scholarship is intended for students who meet both academic and financial criteria.

Generally, a fresh applicant must:

Be above the 80th percentile among successful candidates in the relevant stream in Class 12.
Be pursuing a regular course rather than correspondence or distance education.
Have annual family income of up to ₹4.5 lakh.
Not be receiving another scholarship or fee reimbursement.
Not be pursuing a diploma course.
Meet the other conditions specified under the scheme.

Students should check the latest scheme requirements before applying because eligibility conditions and application procedures can be updated.

PM-USP Scholarship Amount

The scholarship amount depends on the level and duration of the course.

₹12,000 per year during the first three years at the graduation level.
₹20,000 per year at the postgraduate level.
Students in eligible technical courses can receive ₹20,000 per year in the fourth and fifth years.
For B.Tech/BE, the scholarship is available for four years: ₹12,000 per year for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the fourth year.

The money is transferred through DBT directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.

How to Apply for PM-USP CSSS Scholarship Online?

Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.

For the current academic year, NSP states that One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory for scholarship applications. The OTR is a unique number that remains applicable throughout the student’s academic career.

Steps to apply

Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
Complete your OTR if you haven’t already done so.
Log in using your OTR details.
Select the PM-USP CSSS scholarship.
Fill in your academic, personal and bank details.
Upload the required information/documents.
Check the application carefully.
Submit the form and keep the application details for future reference.

Apply Online

Official application portal:
National Scholarship Portal – Apply for Scholarship

NSP currently provides options to log in with an OTR ID, apply for fresh or renewal scholarships, check scheme information and track scholarship payments.

PM-USP CSSS Scholarship Last Date 2026

Don’t rely on an old scholarship article for the deadline. The dates can change between academic years.

For AY 2026–27, the National Scholarship Portal currently lists 31 October 2026 as the student application closing date for PM-USP CSSS renewal applications. The portal also states that the AY 2026–27 scholarship portal opened from 1 June 2026.

Before submitting your application, check the current deadline on NSP.

PM-USP CSSS Scholarship Renewal

Students who receive the scholarship can apply for renewal in subsequent years, subject to the applicable conditions.

The Ministry’s FAQ states that renewal requires students to apply again through the same portal and meet conditions including at least 50% marks and 75% attendance. The scholarship can generally continue on a year-to-year basis subject to the scheme rules.

How is the Scholarship Paid?

The scholarship is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s bank account. The Ministry’s FAQ also explains that Aadhaar seeding with the bank account is used for seamless DBT disbursement.

Students can also use the NSP/PFMS facilities to check payment information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PM-USP CSSS Scholarship?

PM-USP CSSS is a Central Sector scholarship for eligible college and university students under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana.

What is the PM-USP CSSS scholarship amount?

Eligible students can receive ₹12,000 per year at the graduation level for the first three years, while the applicable amount can be ₹20,000 for postgraduate study and later years of eligible technical courses.

What is the family income limit?

The annual family income limit for the scheme is ₹4.5 lakh.

Is OTR mandatory for CSSS?

Yes. NSP states that OTR is required to apply for scholarships through the portal.

Where can I apply for PM-USP CSSS?

You can apply through the official National Scholarship Portal.

Apply through National Scholarship Portal

Where can I find other government scholarships?

You can browse the CareerMint Scholarships page to find other government and private scholarship opportunities.

Explore Scholarships on CareerMint