Central Sector Scholarship CSSS: Eligibility and Apply

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) gives college students Rs 12,000 a year if their family income is up to Rs 4.5 lakh per year and they scored above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board stream. You apply online on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. This guide explains who qualifies, how much you get, and the exact steps to apply.

CSSS is a merit-cum-means scholarship run by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Its full name today is the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students. It helps meritorious students from low-income families pay part of their everyday study costs. Up to 82,000 fresh scholarships are given each year.

To qualify for a fresh CSSS scholarship, you must meet all of these conditions set in the official scheme guidelines (applicable for academic year 2022-23 onwards):

• You scored above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in your stream (Science, Commerce or Humanities) from your own Class 12 board.
• You are pursuing a regular degree course, not correspondence, distance mode, or a diploma.
• Your college or institution is recognised by AICTE or the relevant regulatory body and has a valid AISHE code.
• Your gross family income is up to Rs 4.5 lakh per year. An income certificate is needed for fresh applicants.
• You are not receiving any other scholarship or fee reimbursement, including state schemes.
• You did not take a drop year after Class 12.

Half of all slots, 50%, are earmarked for girls. The scheme also follows the Central Reservation Policy: 15% of seats for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC, and a 5% horizontal reservation for students with benchmark disabilities (40% disability or more).

The amount depends on your level and course. These rates apply from financial year 2022-23.

So a regular three-year degree pays Rs 12,000 each year. If you continue to post-graduation, the rate rises to Rs 20,000 a year. Students doing B.Tech or B.E. get Rs 12,000 for the first three years and Rs 20,000 in the fourth year, since technical degrees are supported up to graduation level only.

The money is paid straight into your own bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Your Aadhaar must be seeded with that bank account, or the payment can fail.

All applications are online only on the National Scholarship Portal. Applications sent directly to the Ministry are not accepted.

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and read the open timelines. The portal sets the dates each year for when applications open and close.
2. Register as a fresh applicant using your details. Your caste and education records are verified through DigiLocker, so keep your documents ready there.
3. Fill the application form with your Class 12 result, stream, college details, and AISHE code. You can check the AISHE code at aishe.gov.in.
4. Upload the required documents, including your income certificate and bank account details.
5. Make sure your Aadhaar is seeded with your bank account so the money can reach you.
6. Submit before the cut-off date and note your NSP Application ID.
7. Your application is verified at two levels: first by your institute, then by your State Higher Education Department or State Nodal Agency.

For a full walkthrough of registration, document checks, and status tracking, see our guide on the National Scholarship Portal.

• Class 12 mark sheet showing your percentile or marks
• Income certificate (gross family income up to Rs 4.5 lakh per year)
• Aadhaar number, seeded with your bank account
• Bank account passbook or details in your own name
• Admission proof and the AISHE code of your college
• Caste or disability certificate, if you are claiming reservation

CSSS is not just a one-time payment. Once you are selected in the first year, you can renew it each year up to post-graduation level, for a total of not more than five years. To renew, you apply again on the same portal as a renewal applicant and upload your latest mark sheets. You must:

• Secure at least 50% marks in your annual examination, and
• Maintain at least 75% attendance.

Indiscipline, criminal behaviour, or ragging complaints can lead to forfeiture of the scholarship. If you miss the online renewal one year, you may still apply for renewal in the next year if you meet the conditions, but renewal for the year you missed the deadline is not allowed.

• Applying after a drop year. Students who took a gap after Class 12 are not eligible.
• Choosing a diploma or distance course. Only regular degree courses count.
• Wrong income figure. Gross family income above Rs 4.5 lakh a year disqualifies you.
• Aadhaar not seeded with the bank account. Even if you are selected, DBT can fail and the money will not arrive.
• Stacking scholarships. You cannot hold CSSS along with another scholarship or fee reimbursement.
• Missing the renewal cut-off. Track the NSP timelines every year.

Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak often reminds students that the most common reason a sanctioned CSSS amount never lands is a simple one: the bank account is not Aadhaar-seeded. Before you celebrate selection, walk into your bank branch, submit the Aadhaar seeding consent form, and confirm the linking. It takes one visit and saves months of chasing a missing payment.

If your CSSS scholarship is sanctioned but not paid, first track it on the PFMS portal using the “Know Your Payment” option with your Aadhaar, bank account, or NSP Application ID. If the status is unclear or stuck for a long time, you can file a Right to Information request to ask for the status of your file. Our guide on using RTI for scholarship delay explains exactly how. For a deeper understanding of your information rights, read The RTI Playbook.

Your gross family income must be up to Rs 4.5 lakh per year. Fresh applicants must submit an income certificate to prove this.

You must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in your stream from your own Class 12 board. This is a merit-cum-means scheme, so both your marks and your family income matter.

Rs 12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation and Rs 20,000 per year at post-graduation level. For 5-year integrated or professional courses, the rate is Rs 20,000 in the 4th and 5th year.

No. Students who took a drop year after Class 12 are not eligible for the scheme.

No. Only students pursuing regular degree courses qualify. Correspondence, distance mode, and diploma courses are not covered.

You apply online only on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Applications sent directly to the Ministry of Education are not accepted.

Yes. After first-year selection it can be renewed up to post-graduation level, for a total of up to five years, if you score at least 50% marks and keep at least 75% attendance.

• Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education: PM-USP CSSS Scheme Guidelines and FAQ, published on scholarships.gov.in.
• National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in.
• National Scholarship Portal guide
• RTI for scholarship delay
• The RTI Playbook