PM-USP CSSS Scholarship 2026-27
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) provides financial assistance to eligible meritorious students from families with limited income so they can continue higher education.
Important update for 2026-27
The National Scholarship Portal currently lists renewal applications for PM-USP CSSS. The student application deadline for renewal is 31 October 2026. Students should check the live portal for the status of fresh applications and any subsequent notices.
Open the National Scholarship PortalScheme Overview
| Scheme name | PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education |
| Application portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Academic year | 2026-27 |
| Renewal deadline currently listed | 31 October 2026 |
| Payment method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the eligible beneficiary bank account seeded with Aadhaar, as required |
PM-USP CSSS Scholarship Amount
The scholarship rate depends on the level and duration of the eligible course. The following rates are described in the official scheme information:
| Course level | Annual scholarship | Important details |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation, first three years | ₹12,000 per year | For eligible undergraduate courses |
| Postgraduate level | ₹20,000 per year | Subject to scheme rules and renewal eligibility |
| Eligible professional or integrated courses, fourth and fifth year | ₹20,000 per year | Applicable to eligible courses as specified in the guidelines |
| B.Tech / B.E. | ₹12,000 per year for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the fourth year | Scholarship is generally available for the four-year undergraduate degree duration under the scheme |
The actual amount and duration depend on the course selected, eligibility, approved application and applicable scheme guidelines. Do not assume that every applicant will receive the scholarship automatically.
Eligibility Criteria for Fresh Applications
Students applying for a fresh scholarship must satisfy the applicable scheme conditions. Key criteria include:
- The student must score above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream in Class 12 from the respective examination board.
- The student must be enrolled in a regular degree course at an eligible recognised institution.
- The gross annual family income must not exceed ₹4.5 lakh.
- The student must not be receiving another scholarship or fee reimbursement that is prohibited under the scheme.
- Students studying through correspondence or distance mode and students pursuing diploma courses are not eligible under the scheme.
- As specified in the official FAQ, students who took a drop after Class 12 are not eligible for a fresh application.
- The student must follow NSP registration, Aadhaar authentication and bank-account requirements.
Meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee selection. Fresh scholarships are allocated through the applicable merit and reservation process, subject to available slots and official guidelines.
Renewal Eligibility
Students who already receive the scholarship must submit a renewal application every year within the prescribed deadline. Renewal generally requires:
- At least 50% marks in the annual examination.
- At least 75% attendance, as required under the scheme.
- Continuation in the eligible course and compliance with the applicable scholarship conditions.
- Correct academic details and the previous years marksheet, where required.
- Completion of the online renewal form and verification by the institution and the designated authorities.
For 2026-27, the NSP currently lists 31 October 2026 as the renewal student-application deadline, 15 November 2026 for institute verification and 30 November 2026 for L2 verification. Recheck the portal for any revised schedule before submitting.
Documents and Details Required
- Class 12 marksheet for a fresh application.
- Family income certificate or other income evidence accepted under the current process.
- Category certificate, if applicable.
- Disability certificate, if applicable.
- Previous years marksheet for renewal.
- Aadhaar details and an active mobile number for NSP registration and authentication.
- Bank account details that meet the schemes Aadhaar-seeding and DBT requirements.
- College, course and admission details.
The portal or institution may request additional records for verification. Follow the document instructions displayed in the application form rather than uploading unrelated documents.
How to Apply Online Through NSP
Step 1: Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
Visit the official National Scholarship Portal and complete the required One Time Registration. Follow the instructions for Aadhaar-based e-KYC and face authentication if prompted by the official process.
Step 2: Log in to the portal
Use the required OTR credentials to log in to the student section of NSP.
Step 3: Select the scholarship
Find PM-USP CSSS and confirm whether the fresh or renewal application option is available for your case and academic year.
Step 4: Fill in the form
Enter your personal, academic, income, institution and bank details carefully. Upload the requested documents, if applicable.
Step 5: Submit and track verification
Review the form and submit it before the relevant deadline. Keep your application details and check for institute or authority verification remarks.
Official application link
Apply or check the live status of the scholarship through the government portal.
National Scholarship Portal — scholarships.gov.inHow to Check Scholarship Payment Status
- Log in to NSP and check the application status or verification remarks.
- For payment tracking, open the official Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal.
- Use the available payment-status service and enter the requested details, such as the application ID, Aadhaar number or bank account information, as supported by the portal.
- If the payment has failed or the status is unclear, verify the Aadhaar-seeding and bank details with your bank and contact the institution or NSP help channel.
Important Dates for 2026-27
| Activity | Date shown on NSP |
|---|---|
| Renewal application opened | 1 June 2026 |
| Renewal student application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application / institute verification deadline | 15 November 2026 |
| L2 verification deadline | 30 November 2026 |
These dates reflect the renewal schedule currently displayed on NSP. Fresh application dates may differ; check the live portal for the relevant application category and any revised notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is PM-USP CSSS?
It is a central merit-cum-means scholarship scheme intended to help eligible students from families with limited income continue college and university education.
2. What is the family income limit?
The official scheme information lists a gross annual family income limit of ₹4.5 lakh, subject to the applicable guidelines.
3. How much scholarship is available?
The stated rate is ₹12,000 per year for the first three undergraduate years and ₹20,000 per year at postgraduate level or eligible later years of specified courses.
4. What is the renewal deadline for 2026-27?
The National Scholarship Portal currently lists 31 October 2026 as the student application deadline for renewal.
5. Can distance-learning or diploma students apply?
No. The official scheme information excludes correspondence or distance-mode students and diploma-course students.
6. Is the scholarship guaranteed after applying?
No. Eligibility, merit selection, available scholarship slots, institutional verification and compliance with the guidelines determine approval.
Official Sources
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes. Eligibility, scholarship amounts, verification requirements and deadlines are governed by the latest official guidelines and the National Scholarship Portal. Check the official portal before applying or making education-finance decisions.
