The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana is a flagship central sector initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Designed to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections, the scheme provides financial assistance so that financial constraints do not hinder higher education. Under the umbrella of PM-USP, the primary component most students refer to is the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS). Other components include the Special Scholarship Scheme for students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme on education loans.
For the academic year 2026-27, the scheme continues to offer substantial support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into students’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year, with 50% of the slots earmarked for girl students. This article covers the complete details of eligibility, scholarship amount, required documents, application process, important dates, and renewal conditions for PM-USP 2026.
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Objective of the PM-USP Scheme
The core objective of the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker families. The scholarship helps cover a portion of day-to-day expenses while pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional courses such as engineering and medicine in recognised colleges and universities. The scheme is merit-cum-means based and has been operational since 2008 (earlier known as the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship). It is implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
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| Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme |
By focusing on students who perform well in Class 12 board examinations and come from families with limited income, the government aims to improve access, equity, and excellence in higher education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Highlights – PM-USP Scheme 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 (1st–3rd year UG) ₹20,000 (PG & 4th–5th year) |
| Number of Scholarships | 82,000 fresh (50% for girls) |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹4.5 Lakh per annum |
| Academic Criteria | Above 80th percentile in Class 12 |
| Application Portal | scholarships.gov.in (NSP) |
| Last Date (2026-27) | 31 October 2026 |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Course Type | Regular degree only (No diploma/distance) |
Key Highlights of PM-USP Yojana 2026
- Implementing Ministry: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
- Number of Fresh Scholarships: Up to 82,000 per year (50% reserved for girls)
- Application Mode: Completely online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
- Mode of Payment: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account
- Duration: Maximum of 5 years (subject to renewal conditions)
- Income Ceiling: Gross parental/family income up to ₹4.5 lakh per annum
- Academic Criterion: Above 80th percentile (top 20%) in the relevant stream of Class 12 board examination
Eligibility Criteria for PM-USP Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for the fresh scholarship under the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme, students must fulfil the following conditions:
- The student must have secured marks above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from the respective Board of Examination in Class XII (10+2 pattern or equivalent). Boards such as CBSE, CISCE, and State Education Boards prepare and share the top 20 percentile lists.
- The student must be pursuing a regular degree course (undergraduate or postgraduate) and not correspondence, distance mode, or diploma courses.
- The course must be pursued at colleges or institutions recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or the respective regulatory bodies. The institution should have a valid AISHE code.
- Gross parental/family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh per annum. An income certificate is mandatory for fresh applicants.
- The student should not be availing any other scholarship, fee waiver, or reimbursement scheme (including state-run schemes).
- The student must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account in their own name for DBT.
- Only Indian nationals are eligible.
Note for Renewal Applicants: Students who received the scholarship in previous years can apply for renewal. They must secure at least 50% marks in the annual examination and maintain a minimum of 75% attendance.
Students changing colleges or institutions can continue the scholarship provided the new institute has a valid AISHE code and the course remains eligible.
Scholarship Amount under PM-USP 2026
The rate of scholarship (effective from academic year 2022-23 onwards and continuing in 2026) is as follows:
| Level / Course | Duration | Scholarship Amount (per annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation (College & University courses) | First three years | ₹12,000 |
| Post-Graduation | — | ₹20,000 |
| Professional/Integrated courses (5 years) | 4th and 5th year | ₹20,000 |
| Technical courses (B.Tech/B.E. etc.) | 1st, 2nd & 3rd year | ₹12,000 |
| Technical courses (B.Tech/B.E. etc.) | 4th year | ₹20,000 |
The scholarship is paid for a maximum duration of five years. The amount is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) under the DBT mode.
Documents Required for Application
Students should keep the following documents ready in scanned format (as per portal specifications):
- Class 12 mark sheet (showing stream and percentile details)
- Income certificate issued by the competent authority (for fresh applicants)
- Caste/category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC)
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account details (passbook or cancelled cheque showing Aadhaar linkage)
- Admission proof / Bonafide certificate from the current institution
- Previous year’s mark sheet and attendance certificate (for renewal)
- Passport-size photograph (if required)
How to Apply Online for PM-USP Scholarship 2026
Applications are accepted only through the National Scholarship Portal. One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory.
Step-by-step process:
Visit the official National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
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- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). OTR generates a unique 14-digit number valid for the student’s entire academic career. The NSP OTR mobile app is also available on the Google Play Store. Services are available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) for a nominal fee.
- After generating OTR, log in to the portal using the OTR ID and password.
- Go to “Apply for Scholarship” and select “Fresh” or “Renewal” as applicable.
- Choose the scheme: “PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students”.
- Fill in personal details, academic details, category, and bank account information carefully. Many fields are auto-populated via Aadhaar e-KYC.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Review the application thoroughly, accept the declaration, and submit it.
- Note down the Application ID for future reference and tracking.
After submission, the application goes through Institute Level Verification (INO), followed by State Nodal Officer (SNO) or higher-level verification. Students can check the status of their application on the NSP portal using their login credentials.
Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (as per current NSP announcements):
- Portal open for applications: From 1 June 2026 onwards
- Last date for student application (Fresh & Renewal): 31 October 2026
- Institute Level Verification: Up to 15 November 2026
- Further verification levels: Up to 30 November 2026
Dates are subject to official updates on the NSP portal. Students are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Renewal Process
Renewal is not automatic. Eligible students must apply every year on the NSP portal before the cut-off date. Key conditions for renewal include:
- Securing minimum 50% marks in the previous year’s annual examination
- Maintaining at least 75% attendance
- Continuing in an eligible regular degree course at a recognised institution
Failure to meet these conditions or missing the application deadline results in discontinuation of the scholarship.
Other Components under PM-USP Yojana
While the Central Sector Scholarship is the most widely accessed, PM-USP also includes:
- Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh: Up to 5,000 fresh scholarships for students pursuing studies outside these UTs, with higher fee reimbursement (up to ₹3 lakh for medical courses) plus ₹1 lakh maintenance allowance.
- Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS): Full interest subsidy during the moratorium period on education loans up to ₹10 lakh for students with family income up to ₹4.5 lakh pursuing professional/technical courses.
Tips for Successful Application
- Ensure Aadhaar is linked with the bank account and mobile number.
- Verify the Class 12 percentile status with the respective board.
- Keep income and other certificates updated and valid.
- Double-check all details before final submission to avoid rejection.
- Track application status regularly on the portal.
- Contact the institute nodal officer or use the NSP helpline for any technical issues.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme 2026 continues to play a vital role in empowering meritorious students from low-income families to pursue higher education without financial burden. With an annual scholarship of ₹12,000 to ₹20,000, direct bank transfers, and a transparent online application process via the National Scholarship Portal, the scheme remains one of the most important central scholarships for college and university students in India.
Eligible students who scored in the top 20% in their Class 12 board examinations and meet the income criteria should not miss this opportunity. Apply early through scholarships.gov.in, keep all documents ready, and follow the renewal conditions diligently to continue receiving support throughout the course duration.
| Official Website | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Central Govt Scheme | Click Here |
| Join Telegram | Telegram |
FAQs – PM-USP Scheme 2026
Q. Who is eligible for PM-USP Scholarship 2026?
Students who scored above the 80th percentile in Class 12 board exams, have family income up to ₹4.5 lakh per year, and are pursuing regular degree courses (not diploma or distance) in recognised colleges/universities can apply.
Q. What is the scholarship amount under PM-USP?
₹12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 per year for postgraduate courses or 4th & 5th year of professional/technical courses.
Q. How many scholarships are given every year?
A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded annually, with 50% reserved for girl students.
Q. How can I apply for PM-USP Scholarship?
Apply online only through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after completing One Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar.
Q. What is the last date to apply for 2026-27?
The last date for student applications (fresh and renewal) is 31 October 2026.
Q. Can I get this scholarship along with other schemes?
No. Students already receiving any other scholarship, fee waiver, or reimbursement are not eligible.
Q. Is the scholarship paid every year automatically?
No. Students must apply for renewal every year and secure at least 50% marks with 75% attendance.
Q. How is the scholarship amount paid?
The amount is transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).