82,000 New College Scholarships Closing October 31: Up to ₹20,000 a Year on Offer
If you joined college this year, the clock is ticking. The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students has 82,000 fresh slots for 2026-27, and applications close on October 31, 2026. If you scored well in Class 12 and your family income is under ₹4.5 lakh a year, this money could be yours. But the National Scholarship Portal window shuts in 8 days.
What the PM-USP scholarship gives you
The scheme is run by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. It pays meritorious students from economically weaker families a yearly amount to cover day-to-day college expenses.
The amount depends on the course:
- Regular UG courses: ₹12,000 a year for the first three years
- PG courses: ₹20,000 a year
- Five-year integrated or professional courses: ₹20,000 a year in the fourth and fifth years
- BTech/BE students: ₹12,000 a year for the first three years, ₹20,000 in the fourth year
Who can apply for the fresh slots
The 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year. To qualify, you need to meet all of these conditions:
- You scored above the 80th percentile among successful candidates in your stream in the Class 12 board exam
- You are studying a regular (not distance or private) degree course
- Your college or university is recognised by the relevant authorities
- Your family income is ₹4.5 lakh a year or less
- You have a bank account and meet the Aadhaar-linking requirements for the scholarship payment
If you already received this scholarship last year, you are in the renewal category, not the fresh category. Read our Central Sector Scholarship renewal guide — it closes on the same October 31 date, but the process is different.
“Before submitting an application, students should review the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education. They should verify the eligibility criteria, application dates, required documents, scholarship amount and renewal conditions.”
How to apply before October 31
Applications go only through the National Scholarship Portal. Follow these steps:
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR): you cannot apply without a valid OTR number on scholarships.gov.in
- Fill the PM-USP form: log in, select the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, and enter your details carefully
- Upload documents: Class 12 marksheet, income certificate, bank passbook, Aadhaar, and bonafide certificate from your college
- Submit before October 31, 2026: the portal locks after the deadline
- Track verification: your college must verify the form by November 15, and district-level verification closes November 30
Mistakes that cost students this scholarship
Every year, good applications get rejected for avoidable reasons. Keep these in mind:
- Applying in the wrong category — fresh and renewal are different, and a mismatch means rejection
- Waiting for the last day — the portal gets slow near the deadline, and small errors become hard to fix
- Wrong bank details — the scholarship comes through Direct Benefit Transfer, so the account must be in your name and Aadhaar-linked
- Skipping renewal later — the scholarship does not continue by itself. You need 50 per cent marks and 75 per cent attendance to renew it each year
October 31 is a busy day for scholarships. The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for school students closes on the same date. And from this session, students may apply for one merit-based scheme along with welfare-based schemes, subject to each scheme’s conditions — check the official guidelines for the combinations allowed.
FAQ
What is the last date to apply for the PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship 2026-27? October 31, 2026. Fresh applications for the 2026-27 session must be submitted on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) by that date.
Who is eligible for the PM-USP fresh scholarship? Students in regular degree courses at recognised colleges or universities who scored above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board exam in the relevant stream, and whose family income is not more than ₹4.5 lakh a year.
How much money do students get under PM-USP? Undergraduate students get ₹12,000 a year for the first three years. Postgraduate students get ₹20,000 a year. Professional courses like BTech get ₹12,000 a year for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the fourth year.
How do I keep the scholarship in the second year? You must score at least 50 per cent marks in your annual exams and keep attendance of at least 75 per cent. Renewal is not automatic — you apply again on the National Scholarship Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for the PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship 2026-27?
October 31, 2026. Fresh applications for the 2026-27 session must be submitted on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) by that date.
Who is eligible for the PM-USP fresh scholarship?
Students in regular degree courses at recognised colleges or universities who scored above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board exam in the relevant stream, and whose family income is not more than ₹4.5 lakh a year.
How much money do students get under PM-USP?
Undergraduate students get ₹12,000 a year for the first three years. Postgraduate students get ₹20,000 a year. Professional courses like BTech get ₹12,000 a year for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the fourth year.
How do I keep the scholarship in the second year?
You must score at least 50 per cent marks in your annual exams and keep attendance of at least 75 per cent. Renewal is not automatic — you apply again on the National Scholarship Portal.
