ii.

Pursuing regular degree courses and not correspondence or distance mode or

pursuing Diploma courses;
iii. Pursuing courses at colleges/institutions recognized by All India Council for
Technical Education and respective Regulatory Bodies concerned;
iv. Not availing benefit of any other scholarship schemes including State run
scholarship schemes/ fee waiver & reimbursement scheme;
v. Students with gross parental/family income upto Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum are
eligible for scholarship under the scheme. Income certificate will be required only
for the fresh applicants;
vi. Student changing his/ her college/institute of study will be allowed to
continue/renew the scholarship provided the course of study and the institution is
having valid AISHE Code; The AISHE code can be checked in the portal
https://aishe.gov.in/aishe/aisheCode
vii. Students who missed to apply for renewal of application online on NSP will be
allowed to apply for renewal of scholarship for subsequent year on NSP, if he/she
fulfils eligibility condition for renewal;
viii. For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50%
marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance of at least
75%, will also be the criteria. Complaints against the student regarding any in
disciplined or criminal behaviour including any complaints of having indulged in
ragging, will lead to forfeiture of scholarship;
ix. Beneficiaries/ Applicants under the scheme must apply online in the National
Scholarships Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in) for the fresh/ renewal scholarships.
Fresh/Renewal applications sent directly to the Ministry of Education shall not be
accepted.

5. Reservation
Students belonging to reserved categories/weaker sections /minorities etc. are eligible
to get benefit of reservation on the basis of merit, subject to Central Reservation
Policy [i.e. 15% seats are earmarked for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27 % for OBCs and
5% horizontal reservation for students with Benchmark Disabilities (Disability
of 40% or more) in all the categories]. The Central Reservation Policy will be
applicable in filling the slots against each year's target. If slots under a specific group
is not filled after considering all the States/UTs, the vacant slots will be allocated to
other categories so that maximum number of eligible students can get the benefit,
subject to overall ceiling of slots.
6. Procedure for Application
i. The applications are received online only. Verification of credentials of the
students like caste, educational qualifications etc. are done through
DIGILOCKER facility of the MeITY, Govt. of India.
ii. National Scholarships Portal (NSP) (www.scholarships.gov.in) will provide the
timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
iii. The Guidelines for application, verification, selection and disbursement of
scholarship will be as per the NSP.
iv. Selection list would be generated/displayed on NSP.
v. Online applications will be verified at two levels i.e by the Institute, where the
student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education
Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State Nodal
Agency (both for fresh and renewal applicants).
vi. Latest guideline on Timelines will be made available on NSP.
vii. Students will not be permanently debarred for scholarships due to delay to renew
or verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within
a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will not be allowed if an applicant misses this
deadline.

7. Rate and Duration of Scholarship (from financial year 2022-23)

The rate of scholarship is Rs.12,000/-per annum at Graduation level for first three
years of College and University courses and Rs.20,000/-per annum at Post-
Graduation level. Students pursuing professional courses, in case, where the duration
of course is five (5) years/Integrated course will get Rs. 20,000/-per annum in the
4th and 5th year. However, students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech,
B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. Rs. 12,000 p.a. for 1st,
2nd and 3rd year and Rs. 20,000 in the 4th year.
Note: The rate of scholarship is Rs.10,000/-per annum for first three years of fresh/
renewal scholarships with respect to academic year 2021-22, even if the actual release
happens in FY 2022-23.

8. Payment of Scholarship
Students are required to have the bank accounts opened, especially, in their name for
availing the benefits under the scheme. The scholarship will be disbursed directly into
the savings bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
 mode. The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your
Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal
[ https://pfms.nic.in/Users/LoginDetails/Login.aspx] either by indicating Aadhaar
number or bank account number or NSP Application ID.

9. For Colleges/Universities
College and Universities will apprise the students about the “PM-USP CSSS” during
admission. Aadhaar based authentication of Institute Nodal Officer (INO)/ State
Nodal Officer (SNO) is mandatory for every Institution/State before verification of
the applications. INO/SNO should be a regular employee.

10. For State Government/State Boards

Adequate publicity of the scheme may be initiated through the Schools/ Colleges/
Institutions to create awareness and to facilitate/ assist the applicants in rural area to
apply for scholarship online on NSP.

11. Grievance Redressal

In case of any grievances/complaint regarding the above scheme, the same may be
registered to the following link:
http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx
other than to the Nodal Officer whose email is available on NSP portal
(Services Tab).

Contact us:
Section Officer
National Scholarship Division
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education,
West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,
R. K. Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066.
Tele: 011- 20862360
E-mail: [email protected]

******
 Government of India
Ministry of Education
Department of Higher Education
(National Scholarship Division)

PRADHAN MANTRI UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA PROTSAHAN (PM-USP)

YOJANA
FAQ FOR COMPONENT SCHEME

CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME OF SCHOLARSHIP

FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (CSSS)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

2024-25

ABOUT THE SCHEME

The “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of
Scholarship for College and University Students” is implemented by the Department of
Higher Education since 2008. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial
assistance to the meritorious students, to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while
pursuing higher studies.

1. What are the eligibility criteria for applying the “Central Sector Scheme of
Scholarship for College and University Students”?

PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is a
merit-cum-means scholarship scheme.

Eligibility conditions:
• Students who are above 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant
stream from a particular Board of Examination in Class XII
• Students pursuing regular course (not correspondence or distance mode)
• Having family income upto Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum
• Not receiving any other scholarship or fee reimbursement of any kind
• Diploma students are not eligible under the scheme.
• Students who had taken a drop after 12th class are not eligible under the scheme.
2. What is the methodology adopted for generating Merit List for selecting the
beneficiaries under the Scheme?

From the eligible applicants, merit list is drawn based on gender (50 boys: 50 girls),
stream (3-Science : 1-Commerce : 3-Humanities), Category (SC-15 %, ST-7.5 % and
OBC-27 % ), and 5 % horizontal reservation is provided for students with Benchmark
Disabilities (Disability of 40% or more) from the allocated slots of respective State
Education Boards.

3. What is the rate of scholarship under the Scheme?

The rate of scholarship is Rs. 12,000/- per annum at Graduation level for first three years
of College and University courses and Rs. 20,000/- per annum at Post-Graduation level.
Students pursuing technical courses are paid Rs. 20,000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th year.
Students pursing B.Tech/ BE would get scholarship for 4 years only i.e Rs. 12000 per
annum for first three years and Rs. 20,000 per annum in the 4th year.

4. How a second/ third/ fourth year student gets scholarships?

All the students finally selected for scholarship in first year are eligible for renewal of
scholarships in 2nd/ 3rd years subject to fulfilment of certain eligibility conditions. The
student have to apply again in the same portal as renewal applicant and provide necessary
marksheets, etc. for this. The applicant should not receive scholarship from any other
department/ ministry.

5. What is the duration of scholarships and criteria for renewal under the
scheme?

A student will be eligible for the scholarship for a total duration not exceeding 5 years. A
scholarship under the scheme is renewable on year-to-year basis up to Post Graduate level
(except for the students pursuing technical courses leading to degree at graduation level).

6. What is the methodology for disbursement of scholarship under the Scheme?

Scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode i.e. directly into the
bank accounts of the beneficiary. The scholarship amount will be disbursed in the Aadhaar
Seeded Bank Account. To have seamless disbursal of scholarships, students are required
to seed the Aadhaar with the bank account as mentioned in the application form. The
student can track his/her payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the
Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal and can also check status on NSP
with their login credentials. If the PFMS status is shown as “Success”, then the student is
required to check the status of the bank account which was seeded with Aadhaar at the
time of transaction.

7. What is Aadhaar Seeding with Bank Account?

The Aadhaar Seeding means linking Aadhaar holder’s Unique 12-digit AADHAAR
number with their Bank Account number for receiving Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
provided under various Government schemes like, Scholarships.

8. How to seed an Aadhaar number with a Bank Account?

The following is the process flow of Aadhaar seeding
a. The student has to visit the bank branch where she is holding an account and
submit the duly filled consent form
b. The bank officials after verifying the details and documents provided (as may be
required) and authenticity of the customer based on the signature will accept
Aadhaar seeding consent form and provide an acknowledgement.
c. The branch will then link the Aadhaar number to the customer’s account and also
in NPCI mapper.

9. How to check the Aadhaar Seeding Status?

The Aadhaar Seeding status can be checked on Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler
(BASE) platform on NPCI. To use BASE, a student has to:
a. Go to the BASE URL
b. Click on the Consumer tab
c. Click on Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE)
d. Select the dropdown to get Aadhaar mapping status or history

10. Who can apply for scholarship under PM-USP CSSS on National Scholarship
Portal (NSP)?

(a) FRESH: Students who have completed Class-XII in the last Academic Year and
who are in the Top 20th percentile list of concerned Board (SEB/CBSE/CISCE) and got
admission in 1st year of regular graduation course are eligible to apply for fresh
scholarship. This list is given by the respective state education boards. Those who are not
covered in this list will not be able to avail the benefits of PM-USP CSSS scholarship
scheme.
(b) RENEWAL: Students who have received fresh scholarship in last four academic
year (e.g for AY 2024-25, beneficiaries of AY 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24),
can apply on the National Scholarship Portal http://scholarships.gov.in/ for renewal before
the cut-off date.
To receive renewal scholarship, it is compulsory for the scheme beneficiaries to
apply on NSP. If missed out in an academic year, he/she can apply for renewal in
subsequent year subject to fulfilling other renewal eligibility criteria (For Example,
Student who missed to apply for the renewal in 2023-24 can apply for the Renewal 2024-
25). Therefore, applicant has to ensure to apply for renewal on portal and to ensure that
his/her application is verified by the Institute and State Nodal officer, before closure of the
portal.

11. What is One-Time Registration (OTR)?

One-Time Registration (OTR) is a unique number provided to streamline the scholarship
registration process. Users register with their mobile number and complete e-KYC
(electronic Know Your Customer). The OTR number is generated once and remains valid
throughout the student's academic career.

12. How to get the OTR number?

To create OTR, student should first keep the following documents ready: (a) Active
mobile number, (b) Aadhaar number (in absence of Aadhaar Number, Aadhaar Enrollment
ID), (c) Mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

Fresh, 2024 applicants: Generate the OTR number using the option GET YOUR OTR ->
‘Apply Now’.
Renewal, 2024 applicants:
(a) Students who provided Aadhaar and completed Face-authentication in AY 2023-24:
NSP has sent their OTR number on the registered mobile number. The students can
directly apply for the scholarship on the NSP Portal using this OTR.
(b) Students who had provided Aadhaar and have not completed Face-authentication in
AY 2023-24: NSP has generated their Reference number, and the student has to obtain
their OTR by completing the face-authentication through NSP OTR app (available on Play
Store).
(c) Students who had applied with EID in AY 2023-24: Students have to generate their
OTR using the option GET YOUR OTR -> ‘Apply Now’

13. What should I do if I forget my OTR number?

If you forget your OTR number, you can retrieve it by selecting the "Forgot OTR
Number" option. To recover your OTR number, you will need to provide the Aadhaar
number used during your e-KYC process.

14. How can I apply for scholarship under PM-USP CSSS?

Login with your Aadhaar/ OTR number. The pre-filled personal details will be fetched
automatically from the OTR registration form. Now, to generate your Application ID, the
students are required to select their Domicile State and the “Post-Matric” option from the
drop-down menu.

The generated Application ID will be available under ‘My Application’. The student can
now submit the application by filling the appropriate General information, Category and
Academic details; and select the “PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for
College and University Students”. After this, upload the mandatory documents and submit
the application form.

15. What are the precautions to be kept in mind at the time of online application
registration?
a. While filling the application, student is required to ensure that the name of self,
name of father and Roll No., should exactly match as it has been mentioned in the
Roll Card/Mark sheet, so that the data gets captured and the scheme is visible on
the National Scholarship Portal. While filling the application form, in the
column of State Education Boards they have to select the board as per the list
at annexure.
Note:- in case name in 12th examination marks sheet and Aadhaar card is
different, then students are advised to get the name in Aadhaar same as in
his/her mark sheet.
For example:-
Father’s Name as per mark sheet- Shri Mahendra Pratap Singh and father’s name
as per AADHAAR is M.P. Singh – Incorrect)
b. Have a valid personal email ID and mobile no. which should be kept active till
the completion of Scholarship disbursement Process. It is advisable not to
change the mobile number for the duration of the scholarship. NSP may send
necessary intimation and information through the registered Mobile number. In
case a candidate does not have a valid personal e-mail ID, he/she should create
his/her new e-mail ID and mobile no. before applying on-line and must maintain
that email account and mobile number. Future necessary information and relevant
 OTP would be provided on mentioned mobile number. The students are advised
to mention their own mobile number. The students must also check the SMS
from NIC-NSP regularly.
c. NIC and MoE do not send any communication other than Email/SMS.
d. No change in E-mail ID and mobile number will be entertained during the entire
process.
e. The demographic details provided in the OTR login, need to be same as that in the
Aadhaar and the 12th examination marks sheet.
f. Any change in the demographic details like Name, Father’s Name, Date of Birth,
Contact Information need to be performed in the OTR login and the same need to
be authenticated through e-KYC and face authentication again.

16. When to apply for scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal?

The application process will be made live on National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
www.scholarships.gov.in. Please check NSP portal regularly.

17. What precautions are to be exercised while selecting the institution from the
drop-down menu?

While selecting the course, where he/she is studying, if there are similar courses with
difference in course duration, student need to ascertain that they are selecting the right
course from their Institute Nodal Officers.

18. What precautions are to be exercised while selecting the institution from the
drop-down menu?

While selecting the Institute, where he/she is studying, in the circumstances of having
common /matching name of institutions, student need to ascertain the right institute by
AISHE code assigned to all institutions. For example:

State Nature of Institute Name of Institute AISHE Code

Haryana Technical/Polytechnic GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, CHIKLA S-958
GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC FOR
Haryana Technical/Polytechnic S-960
WOMEN SIRSA
Haryana Technical/Polytechnic GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, HISAR S-961
GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC,
Haryana Technical/Polytechnic S-966
MANDKOLA
Haryana Technical/Polytechnic GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, ROHTAK S-955
GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC,
Haryana Technical/Polytechnic S-969
NILOKHERI
Clicking the FINAL SUBMIT button, after incorrect selection of institution shall
lead to non-verification of applications by the institution, which cannot be corrected
thereafter and such grievance will not be entertained.

19. What are the documents that are required to be uploaded for applying and
verification?

The following documents need to be uploaded on the Portal at the time of application:

a. FRESH: 12th Mark Sheet, Family Income Certificate, Category/ caste Certification
for reserved category students, Disability Certificate
b. RENEWAL: Previous Year Mark Sheet

The copy of above-mentioned documents must be provided to the institutes at the time of
verification, if sought for by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO).

19. Can I edit the information already saved and upto what time?

You can edit the information till final submission of the online application. After final
submission of application, information can only be edited when your application is marked
as defective by the verification authority.

20. Which fields I can edit?

You can edit all details except the Personal Details provided during OTR. It may be noted
that once you click on “Confirm and Submit” button your application will be forwarded to
the next level and then you cannot edit further.

21. Do I have to fill up the online application in one sitting?

No. You can fill the online application in many sittings, until you are satisfied that you
have entered all desirable fields correctly. The software provides facility to save your
application at every stage until you click on ‘Confirm & Submit’ button.

22. What is UID number/Aadhaar Number?

UID number otherwise known as ‘Aadhaar’ number is Unique Identification Number

given by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The Aadhaar Number should
be seeded with the Bank Account in which Scholarship Amount is desired to be
transferred.

23. How should I check the status of my application online?

You have to login under the option ‘Student Login’ by entering your Aadhaar number/
OTR number. After login, under the option ‘My Application’, you will be able to view the
option ‘Check Your Status’ against your Application ID. Under this option you can check
your online application status.

24. How do I know the name and address of the Nodal Officers my State Education
Board/CBSE/CISCE?

The name and contact details of the Nodal Officer of the State Education
Boards/CBSE/CISCE are available in the Nodal Officers (Scheme Wise) option available
under the Public Corner on the home page of National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

25. Where to lodge complaints/queries/grievances regarding scholarship application?

The grievances need to be register on the Grievance Registration Tab available in their
Login. All the technical complaints regarding working of the portal/ processing of online
application/ verification status, etc. may be addressed to the National Scholarship Portal.
Grievances regarding “PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and
University Students” may be addressed to Department of Higher Education, MoE.

26. Whether the applicants or the institutes need to send the Physical copy of the
online application form to State Nodal Officer or Ministry?

No, it is not needed

27. What to know about the withdrawal of the application?

The student can withdraw their scholarship application by selecting the appropriate option
from the Drop-Down menu. If a student wants to avail benefits of any other
scholarship scheme, then they must withdraw from the present scheme. The
scholarship application can be withdrawn by the applicant prior to its final verification by
the State Nodal Agency.

Note: Do not use the option unless you want to surrender the scholarship.

28. What to do if the course under which the student is enrolled is not available
after selecting the Institute?

This situation arises when the Institute in which the student is studying has not updated
their profile. Hence, the student has to ask their Institute Nodal Officer to update their
profile and validate all the courses and their duration. For further guidance, the institute
may check the information under the Institutions option available on the National
Scholarship Portal Homepage.

IMPORTANT Notes for the Applicants:

 • After finally submitting the applications on the portal students are advised to
get their online application verified by the respective institutions before the
cut-off date. Application which is not verified either by the institute or by the
concerned State Higher Education Department /State Nodal Agency or by both will
be treated as ‘Invalid’.
• For College and course change after completion of graduation courses
(general degree course), use the option update college/institution and course in
your login. After filling right college/institution and course name then only
click on submit button because once this request is submitted, system disables
the option to update college and course. If the student clicks the submit option
without updating the option or filling wrong information, then student will not get
another chance.
• For change in college during 2nd and 3rd year of the course, kindly contact
your State Nodal Agency at least 2 weeks prior to closing date of NSP along
with following documents: (a) Previous and Present College ID card, (b)
Present and Previous College Name and AISHE Code, (c) Present and
Previous Course. The requests for change in college received in the last 7 days
prior to closing of NSP will not be entertained.
• Jammu and Kashmir Board students who passed 12th examination in
November 20xx (2022) must have to enter 20xx+1 (2023) in the column
“12thpassing year” while filling scholarship application form online on NSP.

Contact us:
National Scholarship Division,
Ministry of Education,
Department of Higher Education,
West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,
R. K. Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066.
Telephone: 011-20862360,
Email: [email protected]