CSS Scholarship 2025- Eligibility, Application, and Selection

The Central Sector Scheme (CSS) Scholarship is a central government funding scheme for college and university students. This merit-cum-means scholarship is an initiative of MHRD’s Department of Higher Education which financially assists the students from backward classes. This Central Scholarship Scheme is distributed among 82,000 graduate and postgraduate students divided in equal proportions for boys and girls every year. This move from MHRD helps students from unprivileged families pursue higher studies and meet their day-to-day expenses.

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CSS Scholarship Amounts for Different Educational Levels

The table below focuses on the CSS amount disbursed for various educational levels. 

**Note – The above amounts are not precise and should be checked from the government sites for further assistance.

Discipline covered under CSS

The CSS Scholarship applies to all general and professional courses offered at recognized colleges and universities in India. This includes:

• Engineering & Technology
• Medical & Health Sciences
• Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
• Science
• Commerce
• Management
• Law
• Education
• Hotel Management & more

It’s open to students pursuing graduate or postgraduate studies in regular (not distance learning) mode.

Eligibility Criteria for Central Scholarship Scheme

To apply for the CSS Scholarship in 2025, you need to meet the following criteria:

Academic Eligibility:

• Must be among the top 20th percentile of successful candidates in Class 12 in your respective board (CBSE, ICSE, or State boards)
• Must be enrolled in a full-time regular undergraduate or postgraduate course in a recognized institution
• Should not be availing any other scholarship from the central or state government

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Income Criteria:

• Family income should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh per annum

Other Notes:

• Reservation applies: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), and PwD (5%)
• Only students who passed Class 12 in the current academic year are eligible to apply

Application Process of CSS scholarship

The entire application happens online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Register on NSP
   Go to scholarships.gov.in → New Registration → Fill in your basic details
2. Complete Profile
   After login, complete the application form under ‘Central Schemes’ → ‘Department of Higher Education’
3. Upload Documents
   Scan and upload the required documents in proper format
4. Submit Application
   Review and submit. Take a printout for your records
5. Verification
   Your school, college, and district/state authorities will verify your details
6. Disbursement
   If selected, scholarship amount is directly transferred to your bank account

Documents Required

You will need the following documents while applying online:

• Class 12 Marksheet (official board result)
• Income Certificate (issued by a competent authority)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Disability Certificate (for PwD candidates)
• Bank Passbook (linked with Aadhaar and in the student’s name)
• Aadhaar Card
• Admission proof (college ID card or admission letter)

Online Application Procedure for CSS 

To apply for this scholarship program, follow the steps below –

Step 1 – Visit the official website of NSP.

Step 2 – Register yourself by clicking on "New Registration".

Step 3 – Read the instructions carefully on the redirected page. Checkmark the declaration box and click on "Continue".

Step 4 – A registration form will be displayed; fill it with the following details –

• State of domicile
• Scholarship category
• Name of student
• Scheme type
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Mobile number
• Email ID
• IFSC code
• Bank account number
• Identification detail
• Captcha code

Step 5 – Click on "Register" after filling out the form.With this procedure, you can easily apply for this scholarship program, let us now move on to the next section about checking the sanction list.

How to Check Scholarship Sanction List 

An individual can check the sanction list in the following ways –

• Visit the National Scholarship portal.
• On the homepage, click on "scheme-wise scholarship sanctioned list".
• On the redirected page, enter the following details – 
  • Academic year
  • Application type
  • Ministry
  • Scheme
  • State
  • District
  • Name
  • Mobile number
  • Captcha code
• After successfully entering the details, click on "submit".

The screen will display the required information, i.e. the sanctioned list.

How to Renew Application Form of CSS Scholarship?

Steps to renew CSS scholarship are as follows –

• Visit the official website of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
• Now click on "apply for renewal".
• Now login to your account using the application id, password and captcha code on the redirected page.
• Then click on "login."
• You will be redirected to a page displaying the renewal form.
• Enter the required details and upload all the required documents.
• Then click on "submit". This will process the renewal of your CSS scholarship.

Selection Criteria of CSS Scholarship

The selection process of candidates is done in the following ways –

• Merit list is made on a gender basis, and selection is made based on this merit list.
• A 3% reservation each from the State's educational board is allotted for students with disability.
• The selection of candidates will also be based on an individual's board quota.

Benefits of CSS Scholarship

The benefits and features of CSS scholarship are as follows –

• It was launched by the Government of India's Department of Higher Education, a part of the Ministry of human resource development.
• This scheme aids the meritorious students with funds to pursue higher education.
• Students from economically weaker sections reap this scheme's benefits.
• Only applicants with interest are invited to apply for this scheme.
• During the 11th five year plan, the department of higher education introduced this scheme.
• The scholarship is disbursed among 82,000 candidates.
• 82,000 scholarships distributed in equal proportions, with boys and girls getting 41,000 each.
• Rs.1000 crore is spent by the government of India every year for implementing this scheme.
• It is offered to candidates who enrol in graduate and postgraduate courses.
• Candidates receive the scholarship amount directly in their bank accounts through DBT mode.

This CSS scholarship awarded by the Department of Higher Education financially aids the students from backward classes. It helps them pursue their dream course without worrying about the cost of study. This scholarship scheme is basically for students aspiring to study in colleges and universities. To apply for this scheme, an individual has to log in to the NSP portal and carry on with the application process. Further students who have cleared class 12th are eligible for this Central Sector Scholarship scheme. Furthermore, it aids students from low-income families to pursue their dream without any worries and tension of funds.