The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS) 2025-26 application form provides financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families. If you’re a student who has scored above the 80th percentile in Class 12 and your family's annual income is below ₹4.5 lakh, this scholarship could help fund your college education. In this post, we will provide you step-by-step guide to apply fresh/renewal for the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for the 2025-26 academic year on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
In this post, we’ll walk you through:
- The application process on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
- Importance of One-Time Registration (OTR) and Aadhaar linking
- How to renew CSSS scholarship for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year students
- Key dates and documents required
Eligibility for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)
Before you begin, make sure you meet the following criteria:
- Scored above 80th percentile in Class 12 (10+2) board examination.
- Family income less than ₹4.5 lakh/year
- Pursuing regular degree course in college or university (Professional/Non-professional).
- Not availing any other scholarship.
- Aadhaar number seeded to bank account (preferred for smooth disbursal).
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship Last Date 2025: The deadline to apply is 31-10-2025, with verification deadlines of 15-11-2025 (institute) and 30-11-2025 (State Nodal Officer).
Documents Required Before Filling the Form
Make sure you keep these documents ready (document should be in pdf/jpeg/jpg format and file size between 20kb to 200kb):
- Scanned copy of Class 12 marksheet
- Previous year’s marksheet (for renewal applicants only)
- Latest college fee receipt
- Family income certificate (≤ ₹4.5 lakh per annum)
- Category/caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if relevant)
- Bank account details (name, account number, IFSC code)
- Functional mobile number & email ID
- Aadhaar number (optional but highly recommended)
How to Apply for Central Sector Scholarship 2025 Form Fill-Up on NSP
To apply for the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme application form 2025, follow these steps:
I. One-Time Registration (OTR)
- Visit https://scholarships.gov.in
- Click "Students".
3. Click on "Login" in Apply for Scholarship
4. Click on "Register Yourself" to begin OTR.
5. General Instructions: Review guidelines on the registration page.
6. Register Mobile Number: Enter your mobile number, receive an OTP, and verify it.
7. eKYC Update: Choose 'I have an Aadhaar' or 'Aadhaar not assigned (I have EID)' to verify identity. Complete e-KYC via OTP authentication.
8. Fill basic details (name, DOB, gender, etc.) → Submit to generate 14-digit OTR ID.
9. Download the NSP OTR app (Android) for face authentication to finalize registration.
10. Finish: Complete registration to receive an OTR ID.
Note: OTR is valid for your entire academic career. Retrieve a forgotten OTR via "Forgot OTR" using Aadhaar.
II. Fresh Application Process: Login and Fill the Application Form
- Login: Use your OTR number and password to log in.
2. My Applications:
- Select Apply Fresh to start a new central sector scholarship scheme application form.
- Demographic details and photo will auto-fetch from OTR.
3. Select:
- Domicile State + "Post-Matric" scheme type.
- Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS) from the dropdown.
4. Fill Details: Enter accurate personal, academic (Class X/XII details, competitive exam if applicable), and bank details. Ensure names match your Class XII marksheet and Aadhaar.
5. Check your institute’s/college's AISHE code status on https://de.aishe.nic.in.
6. Upload Documents:
- Fresh Applicants: Class XII marksheet, family income certificate (≤ ₹4.5 lakh per annum), category/caste certificate (if applicable), and disability certificate (if relevant).
- Renewal Applicants: Previous year’s marksheet.
7. Submit Application: Review and submit your application. After submission, take a printout of the form and keep the reference number safe.
8. Verification: Get it verified by your Institute Nodal Officer (INO) and State Nodal Officer. Find your State Nodal Officer Here.
Renewal Process and Key Considerations
For students wondering "can I apply for central sector scholarship in 2nd year", yes, renewal is available if you received the scholarship previously. The CSSS scholarship renewal process 2025 requires:
- Maintaining 50% marks and 75% attendance annually.
- Applying online by the central sector scheme of scholarship for college and university students last date 2025 (31-10-2025) on NSP.
- Uploading the previous year’s marksheet.
- Ensuring institute and state verification.
If you need to change details (e.g., domicile state or scholarship category), withdraw your application first if it’s not approved by the Nodal Officer or paid out. Revoke it via 'Revoke Application' in 'My Applications' if eligible. Note: Only one scholarship application is allowed at a time, but multiple incentives can be applied for.
Aadhaar Seeding and Disbursement
Scholarship funds are disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into your Aadhaar-seeded bank account. To seed your Aadhaar:
- Visit your bank with a consent form.
- Get it linked via the NPCI mapper.
- Check status on the Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform.
Track payments on the PFMS portal or NSP login. Minor applicants can use a parent’s Aadhaar but must update with their own upon turning 18.
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Verify your institute’s AISHE code and active status to avoid payment delays.
- Avoid name mismatches between marksheets and Aadhaar—update via eKYC if needed.
- Keep your mobile number and email active for OTPs and notifications.
- Contact your INO or State Nodal Officer for support. Find your State Nodal Officer Here. For further assistance, call 011- 20862360, E-mail: ns1-scholarship@gov.in.
- Withdraw applications only if not approved or paid.
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (PM-USP CSSS) is a powerful initiative to support your higher education. Don’t miss out due to missing documents or deadlines. Apply early, ensure Aadhaar-bank seeding, and track your application regularly.
If you have doubts, drop your queries in the comment section.