PM-USP Scholarship 2025 – Last Date Extended, Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits
What Is PM-USP / PM-USP CSSS?
- Full name: Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP), also known as the Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) of Scholarship for College & University Students. (
- It’s a merit-cum-means scholarship: for students who have done well in class 12 and whose family income is not very high.
- The scheme is run via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Key Updates for 2025 (Extended Date)
- Last date extended:
- For the PM-USP CSSS scholarship, the application deadline has been extended to 15 November 2025.
- Institute-level verification must be completed by 15 Nov 2025.
- State Nodal Officer (SNO) level verification: by 30 Nov 2025.
- On the NSP portal, the scheme listing also shows “Student Application Open till: 30-11-2025” for the special scholarship scheme (J&K & Ladakh).
Eligibility Criteria
Here are the main eligibility requirements:
Contents
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Performance | Students must be in (or have just passed) class 12 and be among the top 20th percentile in their board exam (state / CBSE / CISCE) for fresh applications. |
| Course | Must be admitted to a regular (full-time) UG or PG course in a recognized college / university (not distance). |
| Parental / Family Income | For the “general” (pan-India) PM-USP CSSS: up to ₹ 4.5 lakh per year. |
| Other Scholarships | Students must not be receiving other (central / state) scholarships or fee waivers. |
| Renewal Criteria | To renew the scholarship, students must maintain certain marks / attendance as per scheme guidelines. |
Special Scholarship Scheme for J&K & Ladakh (PM-USP SSS JKL):
- Domicile: Only for students whose domicile is Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh.
- Income limit: Family income up to ₹ 8.0 lakh per annum.
- Course / Institution: The institution should be recognized by UGC / AICTE or relevant body.
Scholarship Amount / Benefits
Under PM-USP CSSS:
- For undergraduate courses (first 3 years): ₹ 12,000 p.a.
- For later years of a 5-year integrated / professional course (e.g., 4th & 5th year): ₹ 20,000 p.a.
- For postgraduate courses: ₹ 20,000 p.a.
- Disbursement: Through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) into an Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
For J&K & Ladakh special scheme (SSS JKL):
- Tuition fee: up to ₹ 30,000 p.a. for general degree courses.
- For engineering: up to ₹ 1.25 lakh p.a.; for medical: up to ₹ 3 lakh p.a.
- Maintenance allowance: ₹ 1.0 lakh p.a. for all students in this scheme.
How to Apply (Online) – Step-by-Step
- Visit NSP: Go to the National Scholarship Portal →
- Register / Login:
- Use One-Time Registration (OTR) — provide mobile, email, Aadhaar (or Aadhaar enrolment ID) to generate OTR.
- After OTR, you’ll get an Application ID.
- Select the Scheme: In your application, choose PM-USP CSSS (or the special J&K / Ladakh scholarship, if applicable).
- Fill in Details: Enter personal info, academic details (class 12 marks), parental income, and so on.
- Upload Required Documents: Typical documents include:
- Class 12 mark sheet
- Income certificate
- Aadhaar / Aadhaar enrolment ID
- Bank account details (must be seeded with Aadhaar)
- Submit the Form: Once all details are correct, submit the application.
- Verification:
- Institute Level: The college/university will verify your application. (Deadline: 15 Nov 2025)
- State Nodal Officer (SNO): They will do further verification by 30 Nov 2025.
- Track Application: After submission, you can check the status under “My Application” → “Check Status” on NSP.
Important Notes / Tips
- Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to your bank account, because the scholarship disbursal is via DBT.
- Keep all documents (marksheet, income proof, bank passbook, etc.) ready before applying — this speeds up form filling.
- Check with your college’s scholarship nodal officer to ensure they verify your application in time.
- After applying, regularly check NSP for any “defective” application status — if there’s any issue, you may need to correct it.
Here are Top 5 FAQs for PM Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP) 2025:
❓ 1. What is PM Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP) 2025?
It is a Central Government scholarship scheme for meritorious students pursuing regular undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The scheme provides financial assistance based on merit and family income criteria.
❓ 2. Who is eligible for PM-USP Scholarship 2025?
Students who:
- Passed Class 12 in the top 20% percentile of their board.
- Are pursuing full-time UG/PG courses in recognized institutions.
- Have family income below the prescribed limit (generally ₹4.5 lakh per year).
- Are not receiving any other scholarship.
❓ 3. What is the last date to apply for PM-USP 2025?
The application deadline has been extended. Students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) before the newly announced closing date.
❓ 4. How much financial assistance is provided under PM-USP?
- ₹12,000 per year for first 3 years of UG.
- ₹20,000 per year for PG and later years of professional/integrated courses.
❓ 5. How to apply for PM-USP Online?
Students need to:
- Visit scholarships.gov.in
- Register using the NSP OTR
- Select PM-USP / CSSS scholarship
- Fill form, upload documents & submit
- Verify through institute & nodal officer
