The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) scholarship provides financial aid to meritorious college and university students from low-income families. The Ministry of Education awards 82,000 new scholarships annually. Half of these scholarships are reserved for girls. Funds are disbursed directly into student Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the PM-USP scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria. Students must pursue regular degree courses at recognized institutions. Correspondence or distance learning programs are not eligible.
- Applicants must score above the 80th percentile in their Class XII Board Examination in the relevant stream.
- Gross parental or family income must not exceed ₹4,50,000 per annum .
- Students cannot simultaneously receive benefits from other scholarship schemes, fee waivers, or reimbursement programs.
- Applicants must hold an Aadhaar-seeded bank account in their name.
Scholarship Benefits and Duration
The scholarship provides varying annual amounts based on the course level and duration. Funds are deposited via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
| Course Level/Type | Duration | Annual Scholarship Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation (College and University) | First three years | ₹12,000/- |
| Post-graduation | N/A | ₹20,000/- |
| Professional Courses (5-year Integrated) | 4th and 5th year | ₹20,000/- |
| Technical Courses (B.Tech, B.Engg.) | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year | ₹12,000/- |
| Technical Courses (B.Tech, B.Engg.) | 4th year | ₹20,000/- |
Reservation Policy
Reservations for the PM-USP scholarship align with the Central Reservation Policy. This includes 15% for SC students, 7.5% for ST students, and 27% for OBC students. Additionally, 5% horizontal reservation applies to students with Benchmark Disabilities.
Scholarship Renewal
To renew the scholarship, students must achieve at least 50% marks in their Annual Examination. A minimum attendance of 75% is also required.
Application Process
Students apply for the PM-USP scholarship online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The process involves a One Time Registration (OTR).
- Visit theNational Scholarships Portal (NSP).
- Click “Apply for OTR” on the One Time Registration page.
- Read and accept the undertaking, then click “Next”.
- Register an active mobile number.
- Complete Aadhaar e-KYC by entering the Aadhaar number of the student, parent, or legal guardian. Verify with OTP.
- Enter required details and click “Finish” to receive a Reference Number.
- Download the NSP OTR App and Aadhaar FaceRD App from Google Play Store.
- Complete face authentication to generate a 14-digit OTR number , which will be sent via SMS.