CBSE Central Sector Scholarship 2025 | Eligibility, Amount, Last Date & Application Process

Introduction

Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme aims to assist meritorious students from economically weaker sections of society to continue with their higher education after class 12. CSSS will help in addressing the economic difficulties that meritorious students tend to face to continue their course in college/university level studies. The scheme's targeted objective is to reduce the dropout rate after class 12.

The Central Sector Scholarship Scheme endeavors to provide recognition to outstanding performance in the senior secondary level examination while providing incentives to pursue college studies in undergraduate and postgraduate general and professional courses. Structure is administered through CBSE and after awarding it is administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Scholarships are entitled through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank account of the eligible student. Eventually, both systems have a structure and a mechanism to ensure value: transparency for the government, and timely support for the student.

Important Dates for CBSE Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) - 2025-26

Stay informed with the important deadlines for the CSSS 2025-26 to ensure timely application and renewal.

CBSE Central Sector Scholarship Amount & Duration (2025-26)

The grant of the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) provides direct support to students from economically weaker sections who are meritorious to pursue higher studies. Instead of giving financial assistance through reimbursements and/or vouchers, the grant will be credited through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) directly into the beneficiary's bank account, which helps with transparency and ensures prompt credit into the student's bank account.

Mode of Disbursal

• The grant is transferred to the student's bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
• It is subject to annual renewal on the basis of academic performance and compliance with eligibility causes.

Total Number of Scholarships & Distribution – CBSE CSSS 2025–26.

The CBSE Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) attempts to award 82,000 meritorious students each year and strives for gender and regional balance.

Total Number of Scholarships:

Total scholarships available: 82,000 scholarships awarded annually

• 41,000 for male students
• 41,000 for female students

This equal number for each gender allows both boys and girls from economically weaker sections to get equal opportunity for higher education.

State Allocation:

The allocation of scholarships is done on a state basis, relative to the:

• Population of each state/UT (age 18–25), based on the latest census information
• Number of students passing Class XII from each education board
• This ensures each state/board gets fair representation in the final selection.

Distribution Ratio by Stream:

In order to maintain equity in eligibility specific to discipline, this award division is further subdivided based on the stream in which the student studied at class XII:

This 3:2:1 ratio permits a higher allocation for students from science backgrounds as they are enrolled in a higher number of Technical and Professional courses, but also provides equitable support for students from commerce and arts pathways.

The Conditions for Eligibility for CBSE Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) 2025–26

To be part of the students who can apply to get scholarship under Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS), implemented by the Ministry of Education; must be followed some eligibility criteria:

Academic Eligibility:

Applicants must have achieved 80 percentile and above in class 12 Board Examination in CBSE, State Boards, or any other Boards.

Marks will be considered by all subjects and not restricted only to major subjects.

Income Eligibility:

The applicant's Gross Annual Family Income must be less than ₹4.5 lakh/annum from all sources of income.

The applicants may be asked to show a valid income certificate issued by competent authority while applying or while renewing.

Course Type and Institutions:

The student must be enrolled in a regular full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree course in India.

Distance learning, private or correspondence courses will be excluded from this scheme.

The institution of college/university must be recognized by statutory authority such as:

• AICTE
• UGC
• MCI
• DCI

Other professional councils and regulatory authorities

Non-Duplicate Scholarship Policy:

• Applicants can't receive another scholarship/tuition fee waiver from central/state government or private organizations in the same course.
• If it is found that the scholarship from CSSS benefits an applicant, it will automatically be cancelled.

Reservation Policy for CBSE CSSS 2025-26

The Central Sector Scholarship Scheme adheres to the Government of India’s reservation policies as a measure to ensure access/equity:

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
• Other Backward Classes (OBC) (non-creamy layer): 27%
• Qualifying benchmark disability: 5% horizontal, per Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
• Girl Students: 50 percent of total scholarships to promote gender equity in higher education
• Reservation will be conducted within the overall cap of 82,000 (41,000 boys and 41,000 girls) distributed based on state population and board pass-out data.

Application Process for Central Sector Scholarship 2025-26

Please follow these steps to apply for the CBSE CSSS Scholarship:

1. Go to the Official Portal:

• The only official website for applying to the scholarship is the National Scholarship Portal.

2. Register/Login:

• If you are a new user, complete a registration, and provide a valid email and mobile number.
• If you are an existing user, use your username/password and log in.

3. Complete the Application Form:

• Complete the application form, including personal, academic, and bank details.
• From the provided list, select the Central Sector Scheme for College and University Students.

4. Upload Documents:

• Marksheet of Class 12
• Income certificate (<= ₹4.5 lakh/year)
• Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC)
• Disability certificate
• Bank passbook photocopy
• Existing college admission proof or bonafide certificate from college

5. Institutional Verification:

• After you submit your application, it will need to be verified online by either the head of institution or the nodal officer.
• If it is not verified, it may get rejected.

6. Track Your Status:

• You may use the NSP dashboard to track your application status, correction messages, and disbursement.

Documents Required for CBSE Central Sector Scholarship 2025

Students must upload the following documents to apply for the CSSS 2025–26 using the National Scholarship Portal:

• Class 12 Mark Sheet/Passing Certificate: The certificate must be issued from a recognized board (CBSE, ISC, state board).
• Family Income Certificate: The certificate must be issued by a competent authority. The income certificate must verify that annual income of the family does not exceed ₹4.5 lakh.
• Bank Account Information: Own updated active bank account (should preferably be linked with Aadhaar for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Aadhaar Card or other Government ID: for identity verification and link it to your bank account
• Admission Proof: Bonafide certificate, admission letter or fee receipt with the current college or university.

CSSS Scholarship Renewal Process

To continue receiving benefits of the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme, students must renew each academic year. Here's how:

Academic Eligibility:

• Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in the previous exam.
• Students must maintain at least a 75% attendance record and have no disciplinary action against them.

To Renew the Scholarship Online:

• Renewal should be done through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Log in using the previous year’s credentials and select or click on the Renewal Form.

Document Required for Renewal:

• An updated bonafide certificate from prior institution
• Mark sheet from previous year (school or college)
• Fee receipt/admission status for the current academic year

Renewal Deadline:Usually is around October–November; so check the NSP for the current year's dates.

Selection and Disbursement Process - CBSE CSSS 2025

The selection for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) is transparent, strictly based on merit, and ensures that only eligible and deserving candidates will be awarded.

Selection Criteria:

• Students must get above the 80th percentile on their Class 12 board examination.
• Must meet all eligibility criteria which include family income (≤ ₹4.5 lakh) and admission to a recognized college or institute.
• The last selected shall be based on a merit list, compiling from a merit list by states and merit list by the education boards.

Disbursement of Scholarship:

• The students selected will receive the scholarship through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Money is transferred to the approved amount directly into the account in the name of the applicant (Aadhaar-linked account would be preferred).
• Payment is disbursed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, thus payment is timely as per the process and also non-discretionary in nature.

Key Benefits of CSSS Scholarship Scheme

The CBSE Central Sector Scholarship Scheme has some key benefits that seek to assist students from families that have low economic means:

Financial Assistance for Higher Education

• Attainable financial help for qualified students to cover tuition and academic related costs thereby making college affordable for meritorious students

Encourages High Academic Performance

• Indications of peer high performance while completing the Class 12 examinations and encourages students to further their education if applicable at UG and PG levels.

Promotes gender and social equity

• 50% of the total number of scholarships are reserved for females and females accounted for some of the regional quotas, along with reserved scholarships for SC/ST.