Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) 2026-27: Eligibility, Amount, Dates

The PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) is a merit-cum-means scholarship of the Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education. It pays ₹12,000 a year at graduation level and ₹20,000 a year at post-graduation level to students above the 80th percentile of their Class 12 board with family income up to ₹4.5 lakh. As of 24 October 2026, NSP is accepting only renewal applications for 2026-27, with a last date of 31 October 2026. The fresh application window for 2026-27 has not opened yet.

Key dates

The 2025-26 dates come from a Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department circular that relays the Ministry's extension. They are given only to show last year's pattern; the 2026-27 fresh dates may differ.

Who can apply

• Students above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in their stream in Class 12 of their board. For fresh applicants, the board (for Maharashtra students, the state board) supplies the list of students in its top 20th percentile. Students not in that list cannot get CSSS.
• Students who completed Class 12 in the previous academic year and joined the first year of a regular degree course. Students who took a drop after Class 12 are not eligible.
• Regular degree courses only; correspondence, distance and diploma courses are not covered.
• Gross family income up to ₹4.5 lakh a year. An income certificate is needed only for fresh applicants.
• Students must not be availing any other merit scholarship, state scholarship, fee waiver or reimbursement scheme.

Number of scholarships

Up to 82,000 fresh scholarships are given each year. They are divided among state boards by each state's population in the 18-25 age group, after the CBSE and ICSE shares are set aside. 50% are for girls. Within a board, slots go to Science, Commerce and Humanities pass-outs in the ratio 3:1:3. Reservation follows central norms: 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC and 5% horizontal for students with benchmark disabilities. Unfilled slots can move between categories, gender and states.

Benefit

The total duration cannot exceed 5 years. Money is paid by DBT into your Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Documents

• Fresh: Class 12 marksheet, family income certificate, caste or category certificate (reserved categories), disability certificate if applicable
• Renewal: previous year's marksheet

How to apply

1. Generate your One Time Registration (OTR) number on NSP using Aadhaar and face authentication.
2. Log in to scholarships.gov.in with your OTR, select your domicile state and "Post-Matric" to create an Application ID.
3. Fill in general, category and academic details. Select "PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students", or the renewal option.
4. Upload the documents and submit. Your institute verifies first, then the State Nodal Officer.

Selection

The merit list is drawn from eligible applicants by gender (50:50), stream and category from each state board's allocated slots. The selection list is displayed on NSP.

Renewal

Renewal is year to year up to post-graduation. You need at least 50% marks in the annual exam and at least 75% attendance. Any complaint of indiscipline or ragging can lead to forfeiture. If you miss renewal in one year, you can renew in the next year if you meet the conditions. Renewal is not allowed after that year's cut-off date.

Tips for Maharashtra students

• The guidelines say CSSS students must not be getting a state scholarship, fee waiver or reimbursement. If you already receive Rajarshi Shahu (EBC) fee reimbursement or another MahaDBT benefit, check with your college's Institute Nodal Officer before applying. NSP's 2026-27 rule allowing one merit-based plus welfare-based schemes does not override a scheme's own conditions.
• Your name and your father's name must match exactly across Aadhaar, your HSC marksheet and NSP, or the scheme may not appear for you.
• Select your college by its AISHE code, and check that the college is active on AISHE. Payments are not released to students of inactive institutes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date for the Central Sector Scholarship 2026-27?

For renewals, the last date is 31 October 2026, with institute verification by 15 November 2026. Fresh applications for 2026-27 had not opened on NSP as of 24 October 2026.

How much is the Central Sector Scholarship?

₹12,000 a year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 a year at post-graduation. B.Tech and B.E. students get ₹12,000 for years 1-3 and ₹20,000 in year 4.

What is the income limit for CSSS?

Gross family income up to ₹4.5 lakh a year, under the scheme guidelines applicable from 2022-23.

Can diploma students or students who took a drop apply?

No. Diploma students and students who took a drop after Class 12 are not eligible, according to the Ministry of Education's CSSS FAQs.

How many CSSS scholarships are given?

A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships a year, half of them for girls, divided among state boards by population.

Official sources

• Ministry of Education: PM-USP CSSS guidelines (applicable from 2022-23)
• Ministry of Education: PM-USP CSSS FAQs
• NSP: Schemes on NSP with 2026-27 timelines
• NSP announcements (CSSS renewal dates)
• Directorate of Colleges, J&K: CSSS 2025-26 timeline extension circular

Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.