PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship Calculator 2026 India

Statutory Guidelines for PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) is a flagship central initiative administered by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Operating since 2008 and restructured under the unified PM-USP umbrella, the scheme aims to provide direct financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to meet their day-to-day living expenses while pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies.

A total of 82,000 fresh scholarships are sanctioned annually across the nation, divided equally between boys (41,000) and girls (41,000). The quotas are allocated among various State Higher Secondary Education Boards, CBSE, and CISCE in proportion to the 18–25 year population of the respective State or Union Territory.

1. Two-Tier Scholarship Structure: UG vs PG Rates

The scheme provides differential financial support across undergraduate and postgraduate cycles to reflect escalating academic expenses:

• Undergraduate Level (Years 1 to 3): During the first three years of undergraduate studies (including B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., and the first 3 years of professional degree courses), the scholarship is paid at the rate of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month).
• Postgraduate & Higher Professional Level (Years 4 and 5): For postgraduate degree courses (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com.) or for the 4th and 5th year of integrated programmes (such as B.Tech 4th year, MBBS 4th/5th year, or 5-year Integrated Law), the assistance increases to ₹20,000 per annum (₹2,000 per month for 10 months).

2. Essential Eligibility Criteria for Fresh Applicants

To qualify for a fresh scholarship in the 1st year of higher education, candidates must satisfy the following statutory conditions:

• 80th Percentile Cut-Off: Students must have scored above the 80th percentile in the relevant stream (Science, Commerce, Humanities) in their Class 12 board examination conducted by the respective State Board, CBSE, or CISCE.
• Income Ceiling: The gross annual parental or family income from all sources must not exceed ₹4,50,000 per annum. An authentic income certificate issued by a competent revenue authority is mandatory.
• Recognized Regular Course: The student must have secured admission into a regular full-time degree course in a college, university, or institute recognized by UGC, AICTE, MCI/NMC, DCI, or other statutory regulatory bodies. Distance, correspondence, or diploma courses are strictly excluded.
• No Concurrent Scholarship: The beneficiary must not be availing of any other Central or State government scholarship scheme (such as Central Sector Interest Subsidy, Post-Matric SC/ST scholarship, or AICTE Pragati).

3. Annual Renewal Norms and National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

A scholarship once awarded for the first year is tenable for the full duration of the degree course, subject to strict annual renewal rules on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in):

• Minimum Academic Performance: The scholar must secure at least 50% marks in the annual examination or cumulative semester examinations for promotion to the subsequent academic year.
• Attendance Requirement: The student must maintain at least 75% attendance during the academic year, certified by the head of the institution.
• No Active Backlogs: Promoted with backlogs or detained students are disqualified from receiving that year's renewal grant.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The scholarship amount is credited directly into the student's personal bank account seeded with Aadhaar through PFMS, eliminating intermediary delays.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)