Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India · All India
| Scheme Name | Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students |
| Provided By | Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Complete guide to the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) on NSP. Learn about the 80th percentile board criteria, ₹4.5L income ceiling, and online registration details.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹20k+
Under this scheme, selected undergraduate students receive ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years. For postgraduate students and those in the fourth and fifth years of professional courses (like B.Tech), the scholarship amount is ₹20,000 per annum. The scholarship is disbursed directly into the student's Aadhaar-seeded savings bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, utilizing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) gateway.
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Undergraduate (Year 1-3):₹12,000 per annum.
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Postgraduate/Professional (Year 4-5):₹20,000 per annum.
Note: Requires scoring in the top 80th percentile of the board exams.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Course / Stream | All Streams |
| Minimum Marks | 80% |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹4.5 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓* Class 12 Marksheet proving 80th percentile standing
- ✓* Income Certificate (< ₹4.5 Lakhs)
- ✓* College Bonafide and fee structure
- ✓* Aadhaar Card & Aadhaar-seeded Bank details
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on their Class XII board examination results, requiring them to be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in their respective stream
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The scheme targets meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with an annual family income not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh
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Approximately 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded annually, distributed equally between boys and girls (41,000 each)
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Reservations are provided for SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), and 5% horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD)
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Students must be pursuing a regular course in a recognized institution and not simultaneously availing other scholarships.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewable annually for a total duration not exceeding five years, covering the entire duration of undergraduate or postgraduate courses
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To be eligible for renewal, students must secure at least 50% marks in the previous year's examinations and maintain a minimum attendance of 75%
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Students changing their institution may be allowed to continue or renew the scholarship, provided the new course of study is eligible and the new institution has a valid All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) code
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If a student missed applying for renewal in an academic year, they can apply in a subsequent year subject to fulfilling other renewal eligibility criteria.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1
One Time Registration (OTR) on National Scholarship Portal (NSP): * Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website: `https://scholarships.gov.in/`. * Click on 'New Registration' or 'Apply For One Time Registration (OTR)'. * Generate your unique 14-digit OTR number using your Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). Ensure your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar and complete face authentication if required. * Fill in your basic details as prompted.
- 2Applying for the Scholarship (Fresh/Renewal)
* Log in to the NSP portal using your OTR ID and password. * For fresh applications, navigate to 'Central Schemes' -> 'Department of Higher Education' -> 'Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students'. * Fill out the application form carefully, providing accurate personal, educational, and bank details, including your Class 12 result, stream, college details, and AISHE code. * Upload the required documents, such as Class 12 Marksheet, Income Certificate, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Disability Certificate (for PwD candidates), Bank Passbook (linked with Aadhaar and in student's name), Aadhaar Card, and Admission Proof. * Review your application thoroughly before submission, as corrections may not be allowed afterwards. * Submit the application and note your NSP Application ID. * For renewal, log in with your OTR ID and password, then select 'Apply for Renewal' and provide the necessary mark sheets and other updated details. **
- 3Verification
* Your application will undergo verification at multiple levels: by your institution (Nodal Officer), and then by district/state authorities. * Ensure timely verification by your institution. You may need to present original documents to your institute authorities for verification. **
- 4Tracking Application Status
* Log in to the NSP portal using your OTR ID and password. * Under 'My Application' or 'Check Your Status', you can view the real-time status of your application. * You can also track your scholarship disbursement status on the PFMS portal using your Aadhaar number, bank account number, or NSP Application ID.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 to be eligible for the CSSS scholarship?
Applicants must be among the top 20th percentile of successful candidates in their respective Class 12 board examinations. This generally translates to scoring above 80% marks.
Can I apply for this scholarship if my family income increases after the initial application year?
The family income criterion of not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh per annum is primarily checked during the initial application year. Subsequent increases in family income during the renewal years do not disqualify you from continuing to receive the scholarship, provided you meet other renewal conditions.
What happens if I change my college or course after receiving the scholarship?
Students changing their institution or course may be allowed to continue or renew the scholarship. However, this is subject to the condition that the new course of study is eligible under the scholarship program and the new institution has a valid All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) code.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India website before final submission.