NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

Contents

NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is a unified digital platform launched by the Government of India in 2015 to simplify scholarship applications, processing, and disbursement. It acts as a single-window system for various central and state government scholarships, including performance-based, need-based, and post-matric schemes.

The NSP portal helps students check their application status, submit documents online, and get updates about deadlines. It also allows authorities to track applications and ensure scholarships are given fairly and on time.

NSP covers students from SC/ST/OBC, minority communities, persons with disabilities, and general category, helping reduce dropout rates and improving access to education with its mobile-friendly, user-friendly interface.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualification

“Students must have passed Class 12 (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board in India, securing at least 80% marks. Certain boards may consider a minimum of 75%.”

Course Requirement

Applicants for the NSP Central Sector Scholarship must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course at a recognized college or university in India. Eligible courses include Science, Commerce, Arts, and professional programs.

Age Limit

The NSP Central Sector Scholarship does not have a strict age limit, but it primarily targets students who pursue undergraduate studies immediately after Class 12.

Family Income

The total annual family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh from all sources.

Citizenship

Applicants must be Indian citizens; foreign students are not eligible.

Other Conditions

Only meritorious students are eligible, and admission must be through a recognized educational board or institution. Students already receiving other central or state scholarships are ineligible.

Important links

Benefits

Scholarship Amount

Under the NSP Central Sector Scholarship, eligible students can receive up to ₹1,00,000 per year.

Coverage

The NSP Central Sector Scholarship helps cover tuition fees, academic expenses, and other educational costs for undergraduate courses. It supports students enrolled in general degree programs (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com) as well as professional courses.

Duration

The scholarship is awarded each year for the full duration of the undergraduate course, provided the student continues to meet eligibility and academic requirements.

Academic Excellence

Only high-achieving students are eligible, encouraging academic excellence and rewarding top performers.

Financial Inclusion

The NSP Central Sector Scholarship reduces the financial burden on middle-income families, allowing students to focus on their studies. It encourages higher education participation, especially for students from smaller towns or rural areas, enabling them to pursue undergraduate or professional courses without economic constraints.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

The scholarship amount is credited directly to the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and preventing delays or misuse.

Eligibility Renewal

Renewal of the NSP Central Sector Scholarship depends on the student maintaining satisfactory academic performance and continuing in the same undergraduate course.

Encouragement for Further Studies

By providing financial assistance, the NSP Central Sector Scholarship motivates students to pursue higher education and professional courses, thereby enhancing their employability and long-term career prospects.

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Who Can Apply

Eligible Students

Students who have passed Class 12 (Higher Secondary) from a recognized board in India. They should have scored at least 80% marks.

Course Enrollment

Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at a recognized college or university in India. The NSP Central Sector Scholarship is available for students in Science, Commerce, Arts, or Professional streams.

Merit-Based Applicants

Only meritorious students meeting academic cut-offs can apply. Students should maintain a consistent academic record and have no disciplinary issues in previous studies.

NSP Central Sector Scholarship

Family Income Criteria

Applicants’ annual family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh, ensuring the scholarship reaches deserving middle-class students.

Citizenship Requirement

Applicants for the NSP Central Sector Scholarship must be Indian citizens. Foreign students and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible to apply.

Last Date

31 October 2025

Application Process

How to Register & Login on NSP

Visit the official NSP website: https://scholarships.gov.in
If you are a new applicant, first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process using your Aadhaar number to generate a unique OTR ID.
After successful registration, login using your OTR ID and password.
If you are already registered, simply log in with your existing Application ID and password to proceed further.

Select the Scheme

After logging in, go to the “Apply for Scholarship” section on the NSP dashboard.
Select the scheme: “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (CSSS)” under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Choose whether you are a fresh applicant or applying for renewal.

Filling Your Application Form

Enter personal details: Name, Date of Birth, Aadhaar, contact details.
Enter academic details: Class 12 marks/percentile, name of college/university, course details.
Enter bank account details (linked to Aadhaar) for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Upload required documents (see next section).
Review all entries carefully before submission.

Document Upload

Recent Passport-sized Photograph
Marksheet of Previous Academic Year/Semester
Class 12th Marksheet
Admission Proof
Date of Birth Certificate
Bank Account Details (Passbook/Cheque Copy)
Aadhaar Card as Identity Proof

Submit Application

After filling in all details and uploading the required documents, click the “Submit” button.
Take a printout or save a copy of the submitted Application Form / Acknowledgement for your records.
Ensure all information is correct, as no changes can be made after submission.

Verification Process

After submission, the application will be verified first by your college/institute.
Once verified by the institute, it will be forwarded to the State Nodal Officer (SNO) / State Higher Education Department / Central authorities, depending on your state.
Ensure that your institute completes the verification before the deadline. Applications not verified on time may be rejected.
Only after successful verification will the application be processed for sanction and fund transfer.

Scholarship Approval & Payment

After successful verification and approval, the scholarship amount will be transferred directly to your bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
You can track the status of your application anytime on the NSP dashboard.

Renewal of Scholarship

If you are continuing your studies, apply for renewal each year through NSP before the deadline to retain scholarship eligibility.
Ensure that you meet the renewal criteria, including:
Minimum 50% marks in the previous academic year,
Minimum 75% attendance, and
No disciplinary action.

Documents Required

Recent Passport-sized Photograph
Marksheet of Previous Academic Year/Semester
Class 12th Marksheet
Admission Proof
Date of Birth Certificate
Bank Account Details (Passbook/Cheque Copy)
Family Income Proof
Aadhaar Card as Identity Proof

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the NSP Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS)?
The NSP Central Sector Scholarship is a performance-and-need-based scholarship program under the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. It was launched to provide financial assistance to highly meritorious students from economically weaker families, enabling them to pursue full-time undergraduate courses in recognized colleges and universities in India. The scheme aims to reduce financial barriers, promote higher education participation, and reward academic excellence.

2. Who is eligible to apply for the CSSS?
Students are eligible for the NSP Central Sector Scholarship if they have passed Class 12 from a recognized Indian board and are enrolling in a full-time undergraduate course (not distance/correspondence mode) at a recognized college or university. Applicants must meet the academic cut-off, income criteria, and have a consistent academic record without disciplinary issues.

3. What is the minimum academic requirement to apply for this scholarship?
To be eligible, students must be among the top 20% of successful candidates in their Class 12 board exam in the relevant stream. Some boards allow slightly lower marks, e.g., 75%, depending on their policies. This ensures that only academically strong students benefit from the scheme.

4. What is the maximum annual family income allowed for eligibility?
The NSP Central Sector Scholarship is primarily aimed at students from economically weaker or middle-class families. For fresh applicants, the combined annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹4.5 lakh. For renewal applicants, the income criteria remain the same, and students must continue to meet academic and attendance requirements to retain eligibility.

5. Are diploma, distance, or correspondence students eligible?
No, diploma, distance learning, or correspondence students are not eligible for the NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme. The scheme is meant for full-time, regular undergraduate students enrolled in recognized institutions. It supports standard academic programs where students attend classes, participate in campus activities, and engage directly with faculty. Part-time, distance, and correspondence courses are outside the scope of CSSS.

6. What is the amount of the scholarship, and how long is it awarded?
For undergraduate courses, students receive up to ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years. For postgraduate, professional, integrated, or technical courses, the amount may increase, e.g., ₹20,000 per annum in later years, depending on official guidelines. Scholarships are renewable annually, subject to continued academic performance and eligibility criteria.

7. How are beneficiaries selected under CSSS?
Beneficiaries of the NSP Central Sector Scholarship are selected based on merit, verified through academic performance, family income, and other eligibility conditions. The merit list may include gender-based reservations (50% for girls), stream-based quotas (Science, Commerce, Arts), and category quotas (SC/ST/OBC, PwD), following central and state guidelines.

8. How is the scholarship fund disbursed to students?
The NSP Central Sector Scholarship amount is directly transferred to the student’s Aadhaar-seeded savings bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Students can track the disbursement and payment status on the NSP portal or the PFMS portal. This ensures transparency, speed, and reduces the chances of misuse.

9. Can students switch colleges and still retain the scholarship?
Yes. Students can transfer to another recognized college/university, provided the institution has a valid AISHE code. The scholarship continues only if eligibility criteria are maintained, such as academic performance, attendance, and full-time enrolment.

10. What are the renewal conditions for the scholarship each year?
To renew the scholarship annually, students must:

Be enrolled in the subsequent year of the same course.
Maintain satisfactory academic performance (marks/grades as specified by NSP).
Maintain adequate attendance (usually ≥75%).
Do not receive conflicting scholarships simultaneously.

11. What if a student is already receiving another scholarship?
If a student is already receiving another scholarship, they may be ineligible for the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) if the other scholarship is not permitted to be received alongside CSSS. Students must ensure they are not benefiting from multiple conflicting schemes at the same time. Before applying, it is advisable to check the guidelines of both scholarships to avoid disqualification or fund recovery issues.

12. Are there any conditions regarding gap years after Class 12?
Yes. The NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme generally requires students to enrol in their undergraduate program immediately after completing Class 12. Taking a gap year or academic break may result in loss of eligibility for fresh scholarships. Students are advised to plan their higher education without interruptions to maintain eligibility.

13. What documents are required for applying to CSSS?
The typical required documents include:

Recent Passport-sized Photograph
Marksheet of Previous Academic Year/Semester
Class 12th Marksheet
Admission Proof
Date of Birth Certificate
Bank Account Details (Passbook/Cheque Copy)
Family Income Proof
Aadhaar Card as Identity Proof

14. How can students apply for the scholarship?
Students can apply for the scholarship by registering on the NSP portal through One-Time Registration (OTR), filling out the online application form, selecting the NSP Central Sector Scholarship Scheme, uploading the required documents, and submitting the application before the deadline. After submission, applications are verified by the respective institute and then by the state nodal officer. Students can track the status online and correct discrepancies if needed before final approval.

15. When is the application period for CSSS?
The application period for the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) usually begins with a notification released around June or July, and applications generally close by 31 October. After submission, the verification process by the institute and state nodal officers continues into November. Students are advised to apply early to avoid last-minute issues and ensure sufficient time for verification.

16. Can students track their application and scholarship payment status?
Yes. Students can track their application status on the NSP portal and payment status on the PFMS portal using their Aadhaar number, bank account, or NSP application ID. The portals provide real-time updates, allow downloading acknowledgement receipts, and ensure scholarships are credited directly via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

17. What is the role of colleges and universities in verification?
Colleges and universities play a crucial role in verifying applications for the NSP Central Sector Scholarship on the NSP portal. The Institute Nodal Officer (INO), authenticated via Aadhaar, checks the documents, eligibility, and accuracy of the submitted information. This verification is mandatory before the application moves to the State Nodal Officer for further certification and final scholarship disbursement. Accurate verification ensures that only eligible students receive the scholarship.

18. How can students resolve grievances or issues?
Students can resolve grievances or issues related to the NSP Central Sector Scholarship by registering complaints on the Public Grievance Portal (PGPortal), or by contacting their institute nodal officer, state nodal officer, or the NSP helpdesk. It is recommended to keep the application ID, Aadhaar number, and bank details handy to facilitate quick resolution. Students can track the status of their complaints online until they are addressed.

19. How many scholarships are awarded annually under CSSS?
Approximately 82,000 scholarships are awarded annually under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) for eligible students in colleges, universities, and professional courses across India. The exact number of scholarships may vary each year depending on the allocated government budget and the scheme’s eligibility criteria. These scholarships aim to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections in pursuing higher education without financial burden.

20. What happens if a student fails to meet eligibility criteria during renewal of the NSP Central Sector Scholarship?
If a student fails to maintain the required academic performance, attendance, or conduct standards, or misses the NSP Central Sector Scholarship renewal deadline, the scholarship for that year may not be renewed. In such cases, the student may lose the financial benefits for that period. However, they can apply again in the next cycle if they meet the eligibility criteria. This ensures that only meritorious and disciplined students continue to receive support under the NSP Central Sector Scholarship scheme.

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