UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 30 June 2025

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students Latest News

The CBSE recently announced the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) for the academic year 2025-26, inviting applications from eligible students via the National Scholarship Portal, scholarships.gov.in.

About Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

• “Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students" is a scholarship scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. 
• The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/Class 12th Board Examination. 

Allocation of Scholarships

• A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships (41,000 for boys and 41,000 for girls) per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as medical, engineering, etc.
• The total number of scholarships is divided amongst the State Education Boards based on the State's population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating the share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of the number of students passing out from various Boards in the country.
• The number of scholarships allotted to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass-outs of the Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams in the ratio of 3:2:1. In case of a shortfall in the number of applications, the scholarship slots could be interchanged.

Benefits: Rate of Scholarship

• ₹12,000/- per annum at the graduation level for the first three years of college and university courses.
• ₹20,000 per annum at the post-graduation level.
• ₹20,000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th years to the students pursuing professional courses, in cases where the duration of the course is five (5) years/integrated courses.
• Students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get a scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. ₹12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years and ₹20,000 in the 4th year.
• The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the savings bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility

• The applicant must be pursuing regular degree courses.
• The applicant must be pursuing courses at colleges/institutions recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education and the respective regulatory bodies concerned.
• The gross parental/family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹450,000/- per annum.
• For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50% marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance should be at least 75%.
• The students are required to have bank accounts opened, especially in their name.
• Application must be verified by the student’s institution: 
• CBSE has made it clear that all applications must be verified by the student’s college or university. 
• If required, students must show their original documents to their institution. 
• Without verification, the application will be considered invalid.

Exclusions

• Students who are pursuing correspondence or distance mode or pursuing diploma courses are not eligible.
• Students who are already availing the benefit from any other scholarship schemes, including state-run scholarship schemes/fee waiver & reimbursement schemes, are not eligible.

Source: ET