Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scholarship Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scholarship Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) – Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College and University Students is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Its purpose is to support bright students from economically weaker families, helping them manage essential academic expenses while continuing their higher education.

Every year, up to 82,000 new scholarships are granted to students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in universities, colleges, and recognized professional institutes, including medical and engineering courses. The selection is based on performance in the Class 12th board examinations.

Key Benefits of the Scholarship

Students selected under this scheme receive financial assistance as follows:

Level of StudyScholarship Amount
Graduation (1st–3rd year)₹12,000 per year
Post-graduation₹20,000 per year
4th & 5th year of Professional Courses (Integrated programs)₹20,000 per year
Engineering/Technical Programs (B.Tech/B.E.)₹12,000 per year for 1st–3rd year and ₹20,000 in 4th year

Scholarship Disbursement

Funds are transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system, ensuring transparency and timely assistance.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Must be above the 80th percentile in their respective Class 12th Board/Equivalent examination.
  • Should be enrolled in a regular degree or professional course.
  • The institution must be recognized by AICTE or relevant national regulatory bodies.
  • Family income should not exceed ₹4,50,000 per year.
  • To renew the scholarship, students must:
    • Score at least 50% marks in the annual exam
    • Maintain 75% attendance
  • Must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account in their own name.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following students cannot apply:

  • Those studying through distance/ correspondence or diploma programs.
  • Students receiving any other scholarship, fee reimbursement, or tuition waiver from Central/State schemes.

How to Apply

Applications are completely online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)

  1. Visit the NSP OTR Registration page and select Apply for OTR.
  2. Read the terms and click Next.
  3. Register using your active mobile number.
  4. Complete Aadhaar e-KYC using OTP verification.
  5. Fill in the required details and submit.
  6. Install the NSP OTR App & Aadhaar FaceRD App from the Play Store for face authentication.
  7. Upon successful verification, you will receive a 14-digit OTR number via SMS.

Step 2: Fresh Scholarship Application

  1. Login with your OTR number on the NSP login page.
  2. Enter captcha and submit the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
  3. Set a new password.
  4. Access Applicant Dashboard → Select Application Form.
  5. Fill the form accurately and upload required documents.
  6. Save as Draft or click Final Submit.

Student credentials like caste and education records are verified through DigiLocker.

Track Your Scholarship Payment

Students can monitor their disbursement status through the PFMS Portal using:

  • Aadhaar Number
  • Bank Account Number
  • NSP Application ID

Important Notes

  • The NSP portal will announce application opening and closing dates.
  • Applications undergo verification by:
    1. The student’s institution
    2. The State Higher Education Department / designated State Agency
  • Delay in renewal does not permanently disqualify a student.
    However, missed renewals cannot be approved later for that academic year.

Grievance Redressal

Complaints or queries can be submitted through the Government grievance portal:
pgportal.gov.in
(Students may also contact the Nodal Officer details provided on NSP.)

Documents to Upload

At the time of applying, students must upload:

For Fresh Applicants

  • Class 12th Marksheet
  • Family Income Certificate
  • Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
  • Disability Certificate (if applicable)

For Renewal

  • Previous Year’s Marksheet

Institutes may request physical verification of documents if required.

FAQs (Common Questions Answered)

  • How is the merit list prepared?
  • What is the duration and renewal criteria for the scholarship?
  • How are scholarship payments transferred to students?
  • What to consider while choosing the institution in the NSP form?
  • Which documents are required for verification?
  • What is Aadhaar/UID number and why is it needed?
  • How can students track their scholarship status online?
  • Whom to contact in case of verification or submission issues?
  • Can renewal be done next year if missed this year?
  • How are scholarships distributed across different State Education Boards?

Reservation Policy

Selection also follows the Central Reservation Guidelines:

  • SC – 15%
  • ST – 7.5%
  • OBC – 27%
  • Benchmark Disabilities – 5% (Horizontal quota)
    (For students with ≥40% disability)

These reservations apply on the basis of merit within each category.