The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) is a scholarship program launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It supports bright students from economically weaker families by providing financial help during higher education. The scheme is meant for those who have done well in their Class 12 board exams and are studying in regular degree or professional courses.
Scholarship Benefits
| Education Level | Scholarship Amount (Per Year) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (General or Professional) | ₹12,000 | Up to 3 years |
| Postgraduate / Professional (4th & 5th year) | ₹20,000 | 2 years (for integrated or professional courses) |
The scholarship amount is directly sent to the student’s bank account using the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system. It is important to have an Aadhaar-linked bank account to receive the amount.
Eligibility Criteria
- The student must be in the top 80 percentile in Class 12 board exams of their state or central board.
- Only regular students enrolled in full-time undergraduate or integrated courses in approved colleges/universities can apply.
- Annual family income should not be more than ₹4.5 lakh from all sources.
- Students getting other scholarships or fee waivers are not eligible.
- Distance learning or diploma students cannot apply.
Reservation and Distribution
- Out of all scholarships, 50% are reserved for girl students to promote women education.
- Scholarships are distributed in the ratio of 3:3:1 among Science, Humanities, and Commerce streams respectively.
- There is reservation for different categories: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), and Persons with Disabilities (5%).
- Special quota is available for Ladakh students within the UT quota of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card
- Class 12 mark sheet
- Income certificate (showing annual income less than ₹4.5 lakh)
- Bank passbook (Aadhaar linked)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Admission proof or fee receipt from the current institution
How to Apply
- Go to the National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in
- Register using your name, mobile number, and Aadhaar card.
- After registration, login using your credentials and select PM-USP scholarship from the list.
- Fill in all details like educational qualification, income, and course details.
- Upload all required documents in proper format.
- Submit the form and wait for your school/college and state nodal officers to verify your application.
- Track your status regularly on the portal.
Renewal of Scholarship
- Students must apply for renewal every year through the NSP portal.
- They should secure at least 50% marks in the previous academic year.
- Attendance must be at least 75% to continue getting the scholarship.
- Switching to distance mode or getting another scholarship will cancel eligibility.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal | scholarships.gov.in |
| Apply Online | Click here |
| Homepage | Click here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for PM-USP scholarship?
Students who scored in the top 80 percentile in Class 12 and whose family income is less than ₹4.5 lakh per year can apply.
2. What is the scholarship amount?
₹12,000 per year for the first three years of undergraduate and ₹20,000 per year for the fourth and fifth years of professional/integrated courses.
3. What documents are needed?
You need Aadhaar, Class 12 marksheet, income certificate, bank details, and category/disability certificates if applicable.
4. Is there a renewal process?
Yes. You need to apply for renewal every year with at least 50% marks and 75% attendance in your course.
5. Can I apply offline?
No. Applications are accepted only through the National Scholarship Portal.
6. Is this scholarship available to distance education students?
No. Only regular full-time course students are eligible.
