Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India · All India
| Scheme Name | Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) |
| Provided By | Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Eligibility Summary | Undergraduate, Postgraduate · Family income up to ₹4.5 Lakh/year |
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 30 September 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Learn about Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) 2026 eligibility, 80th percentile cut-off score details, ₹12,000 UG amount, and NSP portal application guide.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹20k+
The scholarship amount is disbursed annually directly into the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, utilizing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) gateway. Students pursuing undergraduate courses receive ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years. For postgraduate courses or the fourth and fifth years of professional/integrated courses, the scholarship amount is ₹20,000 per annum.
Direct financial assistance of ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 per annum paid directly to student's bank account.
Note: Students receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Minimum Marks | 80% |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹4.5 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | All |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Aadhaar Card
- ✓Class 12 Marksheet (showing score above 80th percentile)
- ✓Annual Income Certificate (under ₹4.5 Lakh)
- ✓Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- ✓Bonafide student certificate from current college/university
- ✓Aadhaar-linked Bank Passbook copy
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on merit-cum-means
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Applicants must be Indian nationals and rank among the top 80th percentile of successful candidates in their Class 12 board examination from their respective State Education Board, CBSE, or CISCE
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Scholarships are distributed among State Education Boards based on the population of students aged 18-25 years in each state, with specific ratios for different academic streams (e.g., 3:3:1 for Humanities, Science, and Commerce). 50% of the scholarships are reserved for female students, and reservations also apply for SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), and PwD (5%) categories.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewable on a year-to-year basis for a total duration not exceeding five years, covering both graduation and post-graduation
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To renew, students must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) annually
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They are required to secure at least 50% marks in their previous year's examination, maintain a minimum of 75% attendance, and not be involved in any ragging activities
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Students changing their institution may be allowed to continue or renew the scholarship, provided the new course and institution possess a valid AISHE code.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1
New Registration on National Scholarship Portal (NSP) * Visit the Official Portal: Go to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at [scholarships.gov.in](https://scholarships.gov.in/). * One Time Registration (OTR): Click on 'New Registration' or 'Apply For One Time Registration (OTR)'. This is a mandatory step, and a unique 14-digit OTR number will be generated based on your Aadhaar/Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID), which is valid for your entire academic career. * e-KYC: Complete the e-KYC process using your Aadhaar number and the OTP received on your registered mobile number. Ensure your demographic details (name, father's name, date of birth, contact info) are updated in your Aadhaar database, as these will be fetched automatically. ###
- 2
Filling the Application Form (Fresh Application) * Login: Log in to the NSP using your OTR ID and password. * Select Scheme: Navigate to 'Central Schemes' and select 'PM-USP – Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarship For College And University Students (CSSS)'. * Fill Details: Provide accurate personal, academic, and bank details in the application form. Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded for seamless disbursement. * Upload Documents: Scan and upload the required documents. These typically include: * Class 12 Marksheet (official board result) * Income Certificate (issued by a competent authority, showing family income not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh) * Aadhaar Card * Bank Passbook (linked with Aadhaar and in the student's name) * Caste Certificate (if applicable) * Disability Certificate (for PwD candidates, if applicable) * Admission proof (college ID card or admission letter) * Review and Submit: Carefully review all entered information before final submission. Take a printout for your records. * Institutional Verification: Your application must be verified by your school, college, and district/state authorities. Present original documents to your institution for verification. Failure to get verified can lead to invalidation of the application. ###
- 3Renewal Application Process * Login
Log in to your NSP account using your application ID and password. * Apply for Renewal: Click on the 'Apply for Renewal' option. * Update Details: Review pre-filled details and update any necessary information. * Upload Documents: Upload required documents such as the previous year's marksheet. * Submit: Submit the renewal form. The institution will verify it. ###
- 4
Tracking Application Status and Disbursement * NSP Portal: You can track the status of your application on the NSP portal using your login credentials under the 'My Application' section. * PFMS Portal: Track your scholarship disbursement status from the 'Know Your Payment' template on the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal. * SMS Updates: Regularly check SMS from NIC-NSP for updates.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What are the eligibility criteria for the CSSS scholarship?
To be eligible for the CSSS scholarship, students must be Indian nationals, have scored above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board examination, be pursuing a regular undergraduate or postgraduate course at a recognized institution, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh. Additionally, applicants must not be receiving benefits from any other scholarship scheme.
How is the scholarship amount disbursed, and what are the annual amounts?
The scholarship is disbursed annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account, utilizing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) gateway. Students pursuing undergraduate courses receive ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years. For those undertaking postgraduate courses or in the fourth and fifth years of professional/integrated courses, the scholarship amount is ₹20,000 per annum.
What are the conditions for renewing the CSSS scholarship?
For renewal, students must apply online annually through the National Scholarship Portal. Key conditions include securing at least 50% marks in their previous year's examination, maintaining a minimum of 75% attendance, and not being involved in any ragging activities. The scholarship can be renewed for a total duration not exceeding five years, and students may continue to receive it even if they change institutions, provided the new course and institution have 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.