Central Sector Scholarship 2024-25, How to Apply, Check Eligibility

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, is an initiative introduced in the year 2008 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The primary goal of this scheme is to offer financial aid to students from low-income families, particularly those with an annual family income of less than ₹ 4.5 lakh. The Scholarship is granted to students who got 80th percentile in the Class XII board examination. Each year, a total of 82,000 scholarships (41,000 for boys and an equal number for girls) are distributed among the students.

This program is an initiative of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) that awarded to students on the basis of their academic performance in class XII examination. Selected students are awarded ₹12,000 per annum at the undergraduate level (first 3 years) and ₹20,000 per annum at the postgraduate level.

For the session 2024-25, online applications are invited for Central Sector Scholarships and applicants can apply only through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), the last date to filling the application is October 31, 2024.

Central Sector Scholarship 2024-25

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSS) for college and university students is a Government of India (GoI) sponsored scheme under the direct control of Ministry of Education which has been functional since 2008. The main aim of this scheme is to encourage meritorious students, within the age group of 18-25 years, to pursue higher education at various institutes across India. Students who lack even the basic amenities in their day to day life are mainly covered under this scheme. To avail Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS scheme) the annual family income of a student must not exceed 4.5 lakh per annum.

This scheme provides 82,000 fresh scholarships each year to graduate or post-graduate students in a ratio of 1:1 to boys and girls respectively across the Nation. These 82,000 slots are distributed to the Educational Boards Or Councils based on the population of that State. The slots are further sub-divided into a ratio of 3:3:1 amongst science, humanities, and commerce streams respectively.

Name of Scholarship	Central Sector Scholarship Scheme
Offred by	Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
Launched year	2008
Name of Yojana	Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM USP)
Amount	₹12,000 to ₹20,000 per annum
Total Scholarship Available	82,000
Mode of application	Online
Start Date of Application	Open
Last date of Application	31st January 2024
Official Website	https://scholarships.gov.in

Mere application does not guarantee to avail the scholarship. A candidate must have crossed the restriction of 80th percentile in class 12, plus should be pursuing a regular course and has not applied for any other State or Central government-sponsored scholarships. The amount of this scholarship ranges from ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 per annum for general degree or professional courses.

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Official Dates

• Application Start Date: July 2024
• Last to of Submission of Online Application: 31’st October 2024
• Defective Application Verification Open till: 15’th November 2024
• Last date for Institute Verification: 15’th November 2024
• DNO/SNO/MNO Verification: 30’th November 2024

Eligibility Criteria

• This Scholarship only for College and University (graduate or post-graduate) Students.
• Applicants must have crossed the restriction of 80th percentile in Higher Secondary/Class XII or equivalent examination.
• Students must be enrolled in a college or university recognized by AICTE, UGC, MCI, DCI, or the respective regulatory body.
• This scholarship is open to students who are enrolled in full-time degree courses thus correspondence or distance courses are not eligible.
• SC, ST, OBC, and PWD applicants will be given additional relaxation of 15%, 7.5%, 27%, and 5% respectively.
• The annual income of applicant’s parents/family should be Rs.4.50 lakhs or less.
• For renewal application applicants must secure a minimum of 50% marks in the previous annual examination and also maintain at least 75% attendance.
• Students who have enrolled in diploma courses or Open University as well as distance mode courses are not eligible for the scholarship.
• Students who have previously applied for any other state-sponsored scholarship will not be eligible for this scholarship.

Scholarship Amount

A total of 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded annually under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme. Students who are currently pursuing undergraduate and post-graduation courses are given a financial grant of ₹12,000 per annum and ₹20,000 per annum respectively. On the other hand, students pursuing a professional or integrated course, will receive ₹12,000 for the first 3 years and ₹20,000 in the 4th and 5th years. The Amount is disbursed to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Supporting Documents

While applying online, one must have the following documents with them.

• Bank Passbook
• Aadhar Card Number
• Family income Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)
• Class 12 mark sheet
• Fee Receipt

Central Sector Scholarship Application

The online application for the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme is currently open. Fresh and renewal applications for the 2024-25 session began on the month July 2024. Applicants can apply for the Scholarships for the by accessing the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The details on registration, log in, and application process for fresh/renewal mentioned below.

OTR Registration Process

• Go to the National Scholarship Portal, or visit the URL www.scholarships.gov.in.
• Navigate on Student section, and click on OTR and select Register.
• Read all instructions/guidelines, scroll down the page; check on I Agree, and then click the Next button.
• Enter your mobile number, click on the Get OTP button, type the OTP and CAPTCHA code, and click on the Verify button.
• To complete eKYC, choose I have Aadhaar/I have EID/I don’t have Aadhar or EID, enter your Aadhaar number, type captcha code, and OTP, then click on the Verify button.
• Enter Gordian’s details, security and then click on button labeled ‘Finish’.
• Download the NSP OTR mobile app and complete Face authentication.

Note: After successful registration, you will be given an One Time Registration Number, kindly note it down somewhere safe for later access.

• Visit the NSP Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
• Click on Apply for Scholarship option.
• Enter OTR No., Password and Captcha code then click on Login.
• Next, click on ‘Apply for Fresh’.
• Select Domicile, Category, Application Type then click on button labeled ‘Submit’.
• Then click on ‘Fill application’, a application window will open.
• Provide general information such as Religion, Community/Category, Father/Mother Name, Annual Family Income, etc.
• Enter academic details such as Present Class / course details, class 12th/10th details and click on button labeled ‘Save & Next’.
• Provide Address details such as State, Home District, Block/Taluk, House Number/Street Number, and Pin Code, etc.
• Navigate to Scheme available and Select “Central Sector Scholarship” Scheme.
• Upload documents such as Domicile Certificate, Photo, Previous Academic Marksheet, Fee Receipt, Income Certificate, Bank Account Passbook, Bonafide Certificate, etc.
• Cross check all the information, then click on the Submit button.