The “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” was started in 2008 by the government and is being run by the Department of Higher Education to give support to students who are good in studies. A scholarship is given to help them with their daily study needs and other small expenses. At the graduation level, Rs. 12,000 per year is given for the first three years, and then Rs. 20,000 is given at the post-graduation level for each year. For technical courses like B.Tech or BE, Rs. 20,000 is given in the 4th year, and no money is given in the 5th year if the course is only of 4 years.
National Scholarship Portal
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) was made by the government so that students can apply for many scholarships from one place and not visit many sites. It is used for applying online, and the application form can be filled out, submitted, and even checked from the same portal. All information, like who can apply and how to apply, is also shown there, so students don’t get confused much. The money is being sent directly to the student’s bank account, so no one else is taking it in between. This is called DBT, and it is very useful. Scholarships from both state and central governments are put here. Many students has been helped by NSP, and the process is now easier and faster.
Also Read: National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
Motive of the Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships
The main motive of the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships is to help students who are doing well in studies but don’t have enough money to pay for their college or university needs. This scheme was started by the government so that such students can get some financial help and continue their higher education. The money is given every year and is sent directly to their bank accounts. It can be used for books, fees, or other things. Many students have been supported by this and their future is being helped.
Key Highlights of the Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships
| Name of the Scholarship | Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships |
| Launched by | Government of India |
| Objective | To help students with their study money |
| Launched in | Year 2008 |
| Who can apply | Class 12 passed students |
| Income limit | Below Rs. 4.5 lakh yearly |
| Scholarship for | College and University students |
| Mode of study | Only regular course students |
| Amount for UG | Rs. 12,000 per year |
| Amount for PG | Rs. 20,000 per year |
| Paid through | Money goes to the bank directly |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Mode of Renewal | Online |
| Official Website | NSP Website |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the scholarship program are as follows:
- Only those students can apply who scored above 80% in Class 12 from their board exam, and the marks must be from the same year.
- The course should be regular and done in college, not from a distance or any correspondence way.
- The yearly income of the whole family must be less than 4.5 lakh, or the student will not be allowed.
- If any other scholarship or fee help is already been taken, then this one can’t be given.
- Students who are doing diploma courses are not allowed for this scheme at all.
- If any student took a year gap after Class 12, then they will not be allowed to.
Also Read: PM Scholarship Scheme
Financial Benefits
The financial benefits under the scholarship are as follows:
- An amount of Rs. 12,000 per year is given to students who are doing graduation, and this is only for the first three years of their course.
- After graduation, if the student is doing post-graduation, then Rs. 20,000 is given every year for that too.
- For students studying B.Tech or BE, Rs. 12,000 is given for the first three years and Rs. 20,000 is given in the 4th year only.
- If the course is of 5 years like some technical ones, then Rs. 20,000 is given in both 4th and 5th year also.
- This scholarship helps students to buy books, pay fees, and manage their studies without much worry.
Important Dates
| Activity | Last Date |
| Scheme Opening Date | 2nd June 2025 |
| Student Application Submission Last Date | 31st October 2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Ends | 15th November 2025 |
| Institute Verification Ends | 15th November 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Ends | 30th November 2025 |
Required Documents
To apply for the scholarship, the following documents are required by students:
- 12th Mark Sheet (for Fresh applications)
- Income Certificate of the family
- Caste or Category Certificate (for reserved students)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Previous Year’s Mark Sheet (for Renewal)
- Aadhaar Number or Enrollment ID
- Active Mobile Number linked with Aadhaar
Selection Process
The selection process for this scholarship is given below:
- First, the marks of Class 12 are checked properly, and only those who got more than 80% in their board exam are taken to the next step.
- It is also checked if the student is studying in a regular course, because if it is a distance course, then the form is not accepted.
- The family income is seen carefully, and if it is more than 4.5 lakh in one year, then the student is not allowed to get the scholarship.
- The student must not be getting any other scholarship or fee help, or else the form will be rejected straight.
- All documents must be uploaded in correct way, or the form is marked defective and may not be accepted.
- Then, the school or college where the student is studying does the first verification of the form.
- After that, the form is sent to officers at the district or state level for final checking and approval.
- Once everything is checked and found okay, the name of the student is added to the selected list.
- After selection is finished, the money is deposited into the student’s bank account directly, without delay.
Also Read: Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme For the Ministry Of Railways
Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships Apply Online
To Apply Online for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships, please follow these below mentioned steps below:
- Step 1: All the eligible applicants for the scholarship program should visit the NSP Website to apply for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships.
- Step 2: First of all, the applicants have to register under the portal, for which you have to go to the homepage of the official website, and then click on the “Students” option.
- Step 3: You will be taken to another page where you have to click on the “Login” button, which is available under the “OTR” section.
- Step 4: Again, you will be taken to another page, and now you have to click on the “Register” section to open up the registration form.
- Step 5: The registration form will appear on your screen. Fill out the form carefully with all the required details like personal details, contact details, eKYC, etc.
- Step 6: Submit the registration form to complete the registration process. You can apply for the scholarship after you have successfully registered on the portal.
- Step 7: Now, again on the homepage of the official website, click on the four lines, and then click on the “Schemes on NSP” option to proceed with the application process.
- Step 8: You will see various scholarships. You have to click on the “Department of Higher Education” option, and the “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” will appear on your screen.
- Step 9: Now, click on the “Apply Now” option, and the application form will appear on your screen. Now you should fill out the application form carefully with all the required details.
- Step 10: Attach all the required documents also along with the application form, and verify the application form carefully before submitting.
- Step 11: Once you have verified the application form carefully, submit it to complete the application process.
- Step 12: Finally, you will receive the application number. You can keep the application number with you for future reference.
Renewal of Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships
For Renewal of Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships, please follow these below mentioned steps below:
- Step 1: All the applicants who are already taking advantage of the scholarship program should visit the official website at https://scholarships.gov.in/ for renewal of the Scholarship.
- Step 2: On the homepage of the official website, the applicant has to click on the “Students” option to proceed further.
- Step 3: You will be taken to another page where you should click on the “Login” button, which is available under the “OTR” section.
- Step 4: Again, you will be taken to another page, and now you have to enter the OTR (One Time Registration) number to move ahead with the renewal process.
- Step 5: Now, again on the homepage of the official website, you have to click on four lines, and then click on the “Schemes on NSP” option to proceed with the application process.
- Step 6: Various scholarships will appear in front of your screen. You have to click on the “Department of Higher Education” option, and “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” will appear on your screen.
- Step 7: Now, click on the “Renewal Application” option, and the form will appear on your screen. Now you should fill out the renewal form carefully with all the required details.
- Step 8: Attach all the required documents, along with the application form if required, and verify the renewal form carefully before submitting.
- Step 9: Once you have verified the renewal form carefully, submit it to complete the renewal process.
- Step 10: You will finally receive the application number, and then you can keep the application number safe with you for future reference.
Important Download
Helpline Number
- Office Address: National Scholarship Division, Ministry Of Human Resource Development, Department Of Higher Education, West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6, R. K. Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066
- Helpline No: 0120-6619540
- Email ID: helpdesk[at]nsp[dot]gov[dot]in
FAQs
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Students who passed Class 12 from any board and scored in the 80th percentile can apply, but their family income should be less than Rs. 4.5 lakh in one year.
How much scholarship money is given every year?
For graduation, students get Rs. 12,000 per year for three years. For post-graduation, Rs. 20,000 is given each year, and technical students get Rs. 20,000 in later years too.
Is an Aadhaar card important for applying for this scholarship?
Yes, Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrollment ID is required at the time of registration. The mobile number used must also be the one linked with Aadhaar for the process to work.
What steps are followed to apply online?
Students need to visit the National Scholarship Portal, make their OTR, log in using OTR details, fill out the form carefully, upload all documents, and finally submit it before the last date.
Can the scholarship be renewed every year by students?
Yes, if the student passes all subjects and continues in the next year of their course, then the renewal form must be filled out, and last year’s mark sheet must be uploaded.