CBSE Scholarship Dates 2026
The table below lists the application status for all three CBSE scholarship schemes for the 2026-27 academic year.
| Scholarship Name | Application Status | Key Deadline |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | Notification not yet released | Not yet announced |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) – Renewal | Open | October 31, 2026 |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) – Institute Verification | Open | November 15, 2026 |
| CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST Students | Notification not yet released | Not yet announced |
What is the CBSE Scholarship?
CBSE scholarships are financial assistance programmes offered by the Central Board of Secondary Education to support students at different stages of their academic journey. Three primary CBSE scholarships are currently active: the Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child (for Classes 11 and 12), the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship or PM-USP CSSS (for college and university students), and the Board’s Merit Scholarship for SC/ST students. Each scheme has distinct eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and application portals.
The Central Board of Secondary Education, established in 1921, oversees more than 28,000 affiliated schools across India. The board’s scholarship schemes promote academic merit, support single girl children in pursuing higher secondary education, and provide targeted financial assistance to students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe backgrounds.
Also Read: Central Sector Scholarship
CBSE Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026
The three CBSE scholarship schemes have separate eligibility requirements. Students must review the specific criteria for the scheme they wish to apply for before initiating an application.
CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child 2026 – Eligibility
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Nationality | Indian national (NRI applicants also eligible) |
| Gender | Girl students who are the only child of their parents |
| Minimum marks | 70% or more in CBSE Class X examination |
| Class of study | Studying in Class XI or XII in a CBSE-affiliated school |
| Tuition fee – Class X | Not more than ₹2,500 per month |
| Tuition fee – Class XI and XII | Not more than ₹3,000 per month |
| NRI tuition fee limit | Not more than ₹6,000 per month |
| Family income | Up to ₹8 lakh per annum (gross parental/family income) |
| Other concessions | Students can avail this scholarship alongside school-level concessions |
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) 2026 – Eligibility
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Nationality | Indian national |
| Academic performance | Above the 80th percentile in CBSE Class 12 board examinations |
| Age | Between 18 and 25 years |
| Programme | Regular (full-time) undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme |
| Family income | Not more than ₹4.5 lakh per annum |
| Disqualifying conditions | Must not be receiving any other central or state scholarship or fee reimbursement; distance learning students are not eligible |
CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST Students 2026 – Eligibility
| Criterion | Requirement |
| Nationality | Indian national |
| Category | Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
| Minimum marks | 85% or more in CBSE Class 10 or Class 12 examination |
| School affiliation | Must be enrolled in a CBSE-affiliated school for further studies |
| Number of scholarships available | 50 per class (33 for SC students and 17 for ST students), applicable to both Class 10 and Class 12 |
CBSE Scholarship Benefits 2026
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Duration |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | ₹1,000 per month (₹24,000 over 2 years) | Maximum 2 years (Class XI and XII) |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) – UG Years 1 to 3 | ₹12,000 per year | 3 years |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) – UG Years 4 and 5 (professional courses) | ₹20,000 per year | Up to 2 years (for integrated or professional programmes such as engineering, medicine, and architecture) |
| CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST Students | ₹12,000 per year | Varies |
How to Apply for CBSE Scholarship 2026?
The application portals and methods differ across the three CBSE scholarship schemes. Students must apply through the correct portal for the scholarship they are eligible for.
CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child Application Process
1. Visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in and navigate to the Scholarship section.
2. Select the relevant option: Single Girl Child Scholarship (Fresh Application) or Renewal, depending on your academic year.
3. Enter your CBSE Class 10 roll number and date of birth to access the application form.
5. Submit the application online before the notified closing date.
6. Your school must verify the submitted application within the school verification window; unverified applications are rejected.
7. Print and retain a copy of the confirmation page after successful submission.
Also Read: Scholarships for Girls in India
CBSE Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) 2026 – Application Process
1. Complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in using your Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID; OTR is mandatory for all NSP applications.
2. Log in with your OTR number and select the scheme: PM-USP – Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students.
3. Fill out the application form and upload all required documents.
4. Submit the application before October 31, 2026 for renewal applicants.
5. Get your application verified by your institute before November 15, 2026.
6. For queries, contact the NSP helpdesk at 0120-6619540 or helpdesk@nsp.gov.in.
CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST Students 2026 – Application Process
1. Obtain the application form from your school.
2. Complete the form and attach all required documents.
3. Submit the completed form to your school, which will forward it to CBSE’s scholarship branch in Delhi.
4. Check cbse.gov.in for the 2026-27 notification and exact submission timeline.
CBSE Scholarship 2026 – Documents Required
The documents required differ across the three schemes. Ensure all documents are in the correct format before submission.
CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child 2026 – Documents
1. CBSE Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate
2. Affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper (Rs. 10/-) from the parent, duly notarised, confirming: (a) annual family income, (b) single girl child status, and (c) school tuition fee for Class X and Class XI or XII – the format is available on cbse.gov.in
3. First quarterly fee slip of Class XI or XII, duly verified by the school principal
4. Aadhaar card of the student
5. Bank passbook (showing account number and IFSC code) for Direct Benefit Transfer via ECS/NEFT
6. Proof of school enrollment in Class XI or XII
7. For renewal applicants: Class XI marksheet showing 70% or more marks
All documents must be uploaded as a single PDF file of 1 MB or less.
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (PM-USP CSSS) 2026 – Documents
1. CBSE Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
2. Income certificate issued by a competent authority (showing family income ≤ ₹4.5 lakh per annum)
3. Bank passbook copy (first page showing account number and IFSC code)
4. Aadhaar card for identity verification and DBT bank-account linking
5. Institute verification form
6. Caste or disability certificate, if applicable
CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST Students 2026 – Documents
1. CBSE Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
2. Caste certificate issued by a competent authority
3. Proof of current school enrollment
4. Bank passbook details
5. Aadhaar card
CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship 2026 – Renewal Process
Students who received the Single Girl Child Scholarship in Class XI must apply for renewal to continue receiving the scholarship in Class XII. The following conditions govern renewal.
1. The student must have received the CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship in the previous academic year.
2. The student must have scored 70% or more marks in the Class XI examination that determined her promotion to Class XII.
3. The student must be enrolled in Class XII in a CBSE-affiliated school.
4. The tuition fee in Class XI and XII must not exceed ₹3,000 per month.
5. Renewal applications are submitted online through cbse.gov.in during the renewal window; check the official website for exact dates once the 2026-27 notification is released.
6. If a scholar changes her school or course of study mid-term, prior written approval from CBSE is required; failing this, the scholarship is cancelled and cannot be reinstated.
7. Good conduct and regular attendance are compulsory conditions for the continuation of the scholarship.
CBSE Scholarship 2026 – How to Check Application Status
Check the step wise process to check your application status for the CBSE scholarship.
Single Girl Child Scholarship Status
1. Visit cbse.gov.in and navigate to the Scholarship section.
2. Log in using your registration number to view the current status of your fresh or renewal application.
3. For payment-related queries, contact scholarship.cbse@nic.in.
CSSS (PM-USP) Scholarship Status
1. Log in to scholarships.gov.in with your OTR number.
2. Navigate to the Application Status section to view the current stage of your application (submitted, institute-verified, sanctioned, or disbursed).
3. SMS notifications are sent to registered mobile numbers at key stages.
4. For queries, contact the NSP helpdesk at 0120-6619540 or helpdesk@nsp.gov.in.
SC/ST Merit Scholarship Status
1. Check cbse.gov.in for status updates, or contact scholarship.cbse@nic.in with your application reference details.
CBSE Scholarship 2026 – Contact Details
| Detail | Information |
| CBSE Office Address | CBSE Integrated Office Complex, Sector-23, Phase-1, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110077 |
| CBSE Telephone | (011) 22509256, 22509257, 22509258, 22509259 |
| CBSE Scholarship Email | scholarship.cbse@nic.in |
| NSP Helpdesk (CSSS) | 0120-6619540 |
| NSP Helpdesk Email (CSSS) | helpdesk@nsp.gov.in |
CBSE Scholarship 2026 – FAQs
What are the main CBSE scholarships?
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship, CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child and the Board’s Merit Scholarship for SC/ST students are the three main CBSE scholarship schemes.
What is the amount awarded under the CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child?
The scholarship provides ₹1,000 per month for a maximum of two years, covering Classes 11 and 12. The total amount received is ₹24,000 over the scholarship period. Payment is made through ECS or NEFT directly to the student’s bank account, as confirmed in the CBSE official guidelines available at cbse.gov.in.
Who can apply for the CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child?
Girl students who are the only child of their parents, have scored 70% or more in the CBSE Class X examination, and are studying in Class XI or XII in a CBSE-affiliated school are eligible. The school’s tuition fees must not exceed ₹2,500 per month in Class X and ₹3,000 per month in Class XI-XII. Annual family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh. Twins born together are also eligible under a CBSE ruling dated July 23, 2012.
What is the eligibility criteria for the CSSS (PM-USP) scholarship in 2026?
Students must have scored above the 80th percentile in their CBSE Class 12 examinations, be between 18 and 25 years of age, be enrolled in a regular (full-time) undergraduate or postgraduate programme, and have a family income of not more than ₹4.5 lakh per annum. Students already receiving any other central or state scholarship or fee reimbursement are not eligible for CSSS.
What is the application deadline for the CSSS (PM-USP CSSS) scholarship in 2026?
Renewal applications for the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students are open until October 31, 2026, on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Institute verification must be completed by November 15, 2026. Applicants need a One-Time Registration (OTR) number to apply on NSP.
How many scholarships are available under the CBSE SC/ST Merit Scholarship?
A total of 50 scholarships are available per class, split between 33 for Scheduled Caste (SC) students and 17 for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. This applies separately to both Class 10 and Class 12 students. The scholarship amount is ₹12,000 per year, and applications are submitted offline through the student’s school. Check cbse.gov.in for the 2026-27 notification.
Can I apply for the CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship online?
Yes. Fresh and renewal applications for the CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child are submitted online through cbse.gov.in. The application requires your CBSE Class 10 roll number and date of birth. All documents must be uploaded as a single PDF file (maximum 1 MB), and your school must verify the application within the school verification window for it to be processed.
What documents are required for the CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship?
The mandatory documents include the CBSE Class 10 marksheet, a parental affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper (Rs. 10/-) duly notarised covering income, single girl child status and fee declaration (using the CBSE-prescribed format), the first quarterly fee slip verified by the school principal, an Aadhaar card, and a bank passbook for ECS/NEFT payment. Renewal applicants must additionally submit the Class XI marksheet showing 70% or more marks.