Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University students
A scholarship scheme by the Dept. of Higher Education 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 on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class 12th Board Exam
- Ministry / Department
- Ministry of Education
- Level
- Central
- Benefit type
- cash
What is Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University students?
A scholarship scheme by the Dept. of Higher Education 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 on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class 12th Board Exam
- Benefit
- 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). <br>
- Level
- Central
- Ministry / Dept.
- Ministry of Education
- Benefit type
- cash
- Key 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.
- Last verified
- 18 Jun 2026
Benefits
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). <br>
Eligibility
Documents Required
- ✓ The following documents need to be uploaded on the Portal at the time of application:
- ✓ a. FRESH: 12th Mark Sheet, Family Income Certificate, Category/ caste Certification for reserved category students, Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- ✓ b. RENEWAL: Previous Year Mark Sheet
- ✓ _The copy of above-mentioned documents must be provided to the institutes at the time of verification, if sought for by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO)._
- ✓ <br>
How to Apply
Step 1: Online — Step 1
Visit the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) One Time Registration page and Click on “Apply for OTR”
Step 2: Online — Step 2
Guidelines for OTR will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read carefully the undertaking. Accept the Terms. Click “Next”.
Step 3: Online — 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: Online — Step 4
Complete Aadhaar e-KYC by entering Parent/Legal Guardian/Student Aadhaar number. Submit the OTP received and Click “verify”
Step 5: Online — 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: Online — Step 6
On successful face authentication, your 14-digit OTR number will be generated and sent via SMS. <br> <br> Fresh Application
Step 1: Online — Step 1
Visit the Applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal. Select “OTR Login” and enter your OTR number and password.
Step 2: Online — Step 2
Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: Online — 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: Online — Step 4
Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: Online — 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: Online — Step 6
You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to apply. <br> 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. <br> 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). <br>
FAQ
What is the methodology adopted for generating merit list for selecting the beneficiaries under the scheme?
From the eligible applicants, merit list is drawn based on gender (50 boys: 50 girls), stream (3-Science: 1-Commerce: 3-Humanities), Category (SC-15 %, ST-7.5 % and OBC-27 %), and 5 % horizontal reservation is provided for students with Benchmark Disabilities (Disability of 40% or more) from the allocated slots of respective State Education Boards. In case of shortfall in the number of applications, the scholarship slots shall be interoperable among categories (Gen, OBC, SC & ST), gender (Female, Male) and State Quota to maximize use of slots for fresh scholarships with effect from academic year 2022-23, subject to the condition that guidelines of Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog regarding SC/ST fund allocation of the schemes are adhered to. <br>
What is the rate of scholarship under the scheme?
The rate of scholarship is Rs. 12,000/- per annum at Graduation level for first three years of College and University courses and Rs. 20,000/- per annum at Post-Graduation level. Students pursuing technical courses are paid Rs. 20,000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th year. Students pursing B.Tech/ BE would get scholarship for 4 years only i.e Rs. 12000 per annum for first three years and Rs. 20,000 per annum in the 4th year. <br>
What is the duration of scholarships and criteria for renewal under the scheme?
A student will be eligible for the scholarship for a total duration not exceeding 5 years. A scholarship under the scheme is renewable on year-to-year basis up to Post Graduate level (except for the students pursuing technical courses leading to degree at graduation level). Student must secure at least 50% marks and maintain adequate attendance of at least 75%. <br>
What is the methodology for disbursement of scholarship under the scheme?
Scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode i.e. directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiary. The scholarship amount will be disbursed in the Aadhaar Seeded Bank Account. To have seamless disbursal of scholarships, students are required to seed the Aadhaar with the bank account as mentioned in the application form. The student can track his/her payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal and can also check status on NSP with their login credentials. If the PFMS status is shown as “Success”, then the student is required to check the status of the bank account which was seeded with Aadhaar at the time of transaction. <br>
What precautions are to be exercised while selecting the institution from the drop down menu?
While selecting the course, where he/she is studying, if there are similar courses with difference in course duration, student need to ascertain that they are selecting the right course from their Institute Nodal Officers. If the duration of course is not selected appropriately, then the students will face error during Renewal of application. <br>
What are the documents that are required to be uploaded for applying and verification?
The following documents need to be uploaded on the Portal at the time of application: a. FRESH: 12th Mark Sheet, Family Income Certificate, Category/ caste Certification for reserved category students, Disability Certificate (if applicable) b. RENEWAL: Previous Year Mark Sheet The copy of above-mentioned documents must be provided to the institutes at the time of verification, if sought for by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO). <br>
What is the UID number/ Aadhaar number?
UID number otherwise known as ‘Aadhaar’ number is Unique Identification Number given by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The Aadhaar Number should be seeded with the Bank Account in which Scholarship Amount is desired to be transferred. <br>
How should I check the status of my application online?
You have to login under the option ‘Student Login’ by entering your Aadhaar number/ OTR number. After login, under the option ‘My Application’, you will be able to view the option ‘Check Your Status’ against your Application ID. Under this option you can check your online application status. <br>
How do I know the name and address of nodal officers at my State Education Board/CBSE/ CISCE?
The name and contact details of the Nodal Officer of the State Education Boards/CBSE/CISCE are available in the Nodal Officers (Scheme Wise) option available under the Public Corner on the home page of National Scholarship Portal (NSP). <br>
Where to lodge complaints/ queries/ grievances regarding scholarship application?
The grievances need to be register on the Grievance Registration Tab available in their Login. All the technical complaints regarding working of the portal/ processing of online application/ verification status, etc. may be addressed to the National Scholarship Portal. Grievances regarding “PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” may be addressed to Department of Higher Education, MoE. <br>
Can students who missed the renewal application deadline on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) still apply for renewal in subsequent years if they meet the eligibility conditions?
Yes, students can apply for renewal in the following year if they meet the eligibility conditions. <br>
How are the total number of scholarships distributed among the State Education Boards?
The total number of scholarships are divided amongst the State Education Boards based on the State’s population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of number of students passing out from various Boards in the country. <br>
How are students from reserved categories, weaker sections, and minorities eligible for reservation benefits in the context of the Central Reservation Policy
Students belonging to reserved categories/weaker sections /minorities etc. are eligible to get benefit of reservation on the basis of merit, subject to Central Reservation Policy [i.e. 15% seats are earmarked for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27 % for OBCs and 5% horizontal reservation for students with Benchmark Disabilities (Disability of 40% or more) in all the categories]. <br>
Sources & References
- Official scheme website ↗
- Source record ↗
- Information is summarised from official government sources. Verify all details on the official website before applying.
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