Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for college and university students is a centrally-funded merit-cum-means scholarship initiated by the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The scheme aims to support 82,000 graduate and postgraduate students annually to meet their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies.
In order to promote inclusivity in the distribution of scholarships, an annual target of 82,000 scholarships is evenly allocated, with 41,000 scholarships for male students and an equal number of scholarships for female applicants. These scholarships are allocated to the State Education Boards based on their respective population within the 18-25 age group.
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students has adopted the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system since January 1, 2013. This means that scholarship funds are disbursed directly into the savings bank account of the recipient through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) gateway.
The article provides important information on the objectives, eligibility criteria, available awards, and the application process for this scholarship scheme.
Central Sector Scholarship – An Overview
| Name of the Scholarship | Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students |
| Initiated by | Department of Higher Education, MHRD |
| Beneficiaries | Candidates Pursuing UG/PG Courses |
| Award | Up to โน20,000 Per Annum till the Completion of Course |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
Central Sector Scholarship – Awards
The scholarship awards under this scheme vary on the basis of level of education and the nature of the course being pursued:
- Graduation Level: Students pursuing regular college and university courses receive โน12,000 per annum for the first three years.
- Post-Graduation Level: Postgraduate students, irrespective of the course duration, are eligible for โน20,000 per annum.
- Professional Courses (5 Years/Integrated): Students enrolled in professional courses with a duration of five years, including integrated programs, receive โน20,000 per annum in the 4th and 5th years.
- Technical Courses (e.g., B.Tech., B.Engg.): Students pursuing technical courses, such as B.Tech. or B.E. receive the scholarship up to the graduation level only. This means they get โน12,000 per annum for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years and โน20,000 in the 4th year.
Central Sector Scholarship – Eligibility and Reservation Criteria
Eligibility Criteriaย
To be eligible for the scholarship scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Performance: Applicants must have achieved a percentile rank higher than the 80th percentile among their peers in the relevant stream during their Class 12 examination in the 10+2 pattern or an equivalent qualification.
- Course Type: Eligible students must be pursuing regular degree courses, excluding correspondence or distance education, or they should be enrolled in diploma courses.
- Recognized Institutions: Students should be pursuing their studies at colleges or institutions recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and relevant regulatory bodies.
- No Other Scholarships: Applicants should not be availing benefits from any other scholarship schemes, including state-run scholarship programs, fee waiver schemes, or reimbursement schemes.
- Income Eligibility: Students’ gross family income should not exceed โน4.5 lakh per annum. For fresh applicants, an income certificate will be required as proof.
- Change of College/Institute: Students who choose to change their college or institute of study can continue or renew their scholarship only if the new institution and course have a valid AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) code.
- Renewal Requirements: To renew the scholarship each year, students must maintain a minimum of 50% marks in the annual examination and ensure a satisfactory attendance record of at least 75%. Any disciplinary actionย or complaints on criminal behaviour, including allegations of ragging, may lead to the forfeiture of the scholarship.
Note:- To read the detailed eligibility criteria, please refer to the official notification released by the Department of Higher Education.
Reservation Criteria
The policy allocates specific percentages of seats to various categories, as follows:
- 15% of the available seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
- 7.5% of the available seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- 27% of the available seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- An additional 5% of the available seats are offered as horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across all categories.
Central Sector Scholarship – Documents Required
To apply for the CSSS, applicants are required to provide the following documents:
- Details of bank account/passbook is required for disbursal of scholarship amount.
- Applicants must have Aadhaar card.
- Applicants must produce their Family Income Certificate indicating the gross annual income of parents or family, confirming that it falls within the eligibility criteria.
- For applicants belonging to reserved categories, a caste certificate may be necessary to confirm their eligibility.
- If applicable, a disability certificate is required to verify the applicant’s disability status and eligibility for any disability-related benefits.
Central Sector Scholarship – Grievance Redressal
Candidates with grievances or complaints related to the CSSS can take the following steps for resolution:
- Online Grievance Registration: To formally register a grievance or complaint, students can visit the dedicated link: pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx.
- Contacting the Nodal Officer: Alternatively, students may choose to contact the Nodal Officer responsible for the scheme. The Nodal Officer’s email contact information can be found on the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) under the “Services” tab.
For direct communication and assistance, the contact details for the National Scholarship Division are as follows:
Address: Section Officer, National Scholarship Division,ย
Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education,ย
West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6, R. K. Puram,ย
Sector 1, New Delhi 110066.
Telephone: 011-20862360
Email: es3.edu@nic.in
Central Sector Scholarship – Application Process
The steps for filling out the CSSS application form are as follows:
Registration as New Users:
- First-time applicants need to register with NSP.
- Applicants should go to the โNew Registrationโ tab under โApplicant Cornerโ.
- Provide all the required information and then click on ‘Register’ to complete the registration process.
- Upon successful registration, a student application ID and password will be generated, and these details will be sent to the registered mobile number.
Logging In to NSP:
- After registration, log in to NSP using the newly generated ID and password.
- An OTP (One Time Password) will be sent to the registered mobile number, which must be used to change the password.
Accessing the Application Form:
- Once the password is updated, candidates are directed to the โApplicant’s Dashboardโ page.
- On the โApplicant’s Dashboardโ page, click on ‘Application form’ to initiate the application process.
Providing Details:
- Applicants should enter all the necessary information, including registration and academic details, including basic details on contact and scholarship scheme.
Document Upload:
- Upload all required supporting documents that verify identity and academic eligibility.
Final Submission:
- To complete the scholarship application process, applicants should click on the ‘Submit’ button after having reviewed the application form.
Also Read: Central Sector Scholarship โ A Scholarship for College and University Students
Central Sector Scholarship – FAQs
What is the criteria for renewal under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme?
Scholarships awarded under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme have a maximum duration of 5 years. Scholarships are renewable on a yearly basis, allowing students to continue receiving support up to their postgraduation level. However, it’s important to note that the renewal provision is not applicable to students pursuing technical courses leading to a degree at the graduation level.
Can applicants edit the information already saved in the application form?
Applicants have the flexibility to edit their saved information within the online application until the point of final submission. Once the application is submitted, further changes can only be made in cases where the application is marked as defective during the verification process.
How can one check the status of their scholarship application online?
To check the status of scholarship application, one should log in to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using the “Student Login” option. Candidates should enter their permanent ID and password. Once logged in, applicants should navigate to the “Check Your Status” option to view the status of their online application.
Where can one find information about the nodal officers of their State Education Board?
Information about the nodal officers of the State Education Boards, CBSE, and CISCE is available under the “Services” section on the homepage of the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Note:- To read other FAQs related to the scholarship, please click here.