PM-USP-CSSS

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University students

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme offers financial assistance to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families to support their higher education expenses. Scholarships are awarded based on Class 12th Board Exam results, providing ₹12,000 per annum for undergraduate studies and ₹20,000 for postgraduate studies, with funds directly transferred to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education

Nodal department: Department Of Higher Education

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): Yes

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Scholarships and student finance

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Scholarship, Student, Financial Assistance, College, University

Details

"Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students" is a Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/ Class 12th Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc.

"Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students" is a Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/ Class 12th Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc.

Benefits

  • Rate of Scholarship
  • ₹12,000/-per annum at the Graduation level for the first three years of College and University courses
  • ₹20,000per annum at the Post-graduation level
  • ₹20,000/-per annum in the 4th and 5th year to the Students pursuing professional courses, in case, where the duration of the course is five (5) years/Integrated course
  • Students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. ₹12,000p.a. for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year and ₹20,000in the 4th year. Mode of Disbursal The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the Aadhar seeded bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

Rate of Scholarship

  • ₹12,000/-per annum at the Graduation level for the first three years of College and University courses.
  • ₹20,000 per annum at the Post-graduation level.
  • ₹20,000/-per annum in the 4th and 5th year to the Students pursuing professional courses, in case, where the duration of the course is five (5) years/Integrated course.
  • Students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. ₹12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year and ₹20,000 in the 4th year.


Mode of Disbursal
The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the Aadhar seeded bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from the respective Board of Examination in Class 12th of 10+2 pattern or equivalent.
  • The applicant must be pursuing regular degree courses.
  • The applicant must be pursuing courses at colleges/ institutions recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education and the respective Regulatory Bodies concerned.
  • The gross parental/ family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹4,50,000/- per annum.
  • For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50% marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance should be at least 75%.
  • The students are required to have Aadhaar seeded bank accounts opened in their name.

Exclusions

  • Students who are pursuing correspondence or distance mode or pursuing Diploma courses are not eligible.
  • Students who are already availing the benefit from any other scholarship schemes including State-run scholarship schemes/ fee waiver & reimbursement schemes are not eligible.

Application Process

Online

One Time Registration (OTR)
Step 1: Visit the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) One Time Registration page and Click on “Apply for OTR”
Step 2: Guidelines for OTR will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read carefully the undertaking. Accept the Terms. Click “Next”.
Step 3: Register your active mobile number in the OTR registration form. All correspondence/communication will be done on the submitted mobile/e-mail only.
Step 4: Complete Aadhaar e-KYC by entering Parent/Legal Guardian/Student Aadhaar number. Submit the OTP received and Click “verify”
Step 5: Enter details on the next page and click “Finish”. You will receive a Reference Number. Download the NSP OTR App and the Aadhaar FaceRD App from Google Play Store and complete face authentication for generating OTR.
Step 6: On successful face authentication, your 14-digit OTR number will be generated and sent via SMS.


Fresh Application
Step 1: Visit the Applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal. Select “OTR Login” and enter your OTR number and password.
Step 2: Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm.
Step 4: Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents. The verification of credentials of the students (caste, educational qualifications etc.) will be done through the DIGILOCKER facility of the MeitY, Govt. of India.
Step 6: You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to apply.

Track Payment Status
The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal either by indicating their Aadhaar Number, Bank Account number or NSP Application ID.
NOTE 1: The National Scholarships Portal will provide the timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
NOTE 2: Online applications will be verified at two levels i.e. by the Institute, where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State Nodal Agency (both for fresh and renewal applicants).
NOTE 3: Students will not be permanently debarred for scholarships due to delay in renewal or verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will not be allowed if an applicant misses this deadline. However, students can apply for renewal in the following year if they meet the eligibility conditions.

Grievance Redressal
In case of any grievances/complaints regarding the above scheme, the same may be registered to the following link: http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx other than to the Nodal Officer whose email is available on the NSP portal (Services Tab).

Documents Required

No document list is available for this scheme yet.

References

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Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Documents Required for Government Schemes

Most government schemes require basic documents for verification. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Residence Proof
  • Bank Account Details
  • Educational Certificates (for student schemes)

How to Apply for Government Schemes?

The application process for government schemes may be online or offline depending on the scheme. In most cases, you can follow these steps:

  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Collect required documents
  3. Fill the application form
  4. Submit the application online or at the relevant office
  5. Track application status