National Scholarship 2025: The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) has been supporting meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds since 2008. Aiming to ease the financial burden of higher education, the scheme grants 82,000 scholarships each year, equally divided between male and female students. These scholarships are allocated to different State Education Boards and central boards like CBSE and CISCE. The distribution is determined by the student population aged 18-25 within each state’s jurisdiction. By offering financial aid, the scheme encourages talented students to pursue higher education without economic constraints, fostering academic growth and equal opportunities across the country.
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About National Scholarship
The Central Sector Scheme (CSS) of Scholarship awards 82,000 scholarships annually to support undergraduate and postgraduate students across various fields of study. Managed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), this initiative aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students, ensuring equal opportunities for higher education. The allocation of scholarships among State Education Boards follows a specific ratio—3:3:1 for Humanities, Science, and Commerce stream graduates.
Starting from the 2022–2023 academic year, scholarship slots have become interchangeable across categories such as General, OBC, SC, and ST, as well as between genders and state quotas. If there is a shortage of applications in any category, the unutilized slots can be reassigned, provided that the Ministry of Finance’s and NITI Aayog’s directives on SC/ST fund allocation are followed. This flexible approach ensures that scholarships reach deserving students while maximizing the use of available funds to support higher education nationwide.
Also Read:- Jaago Women Scholarship Program 2025
Short Summary of National Scholarship
| Name of the Scholarship | National Scholarship 2025 |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Objective | Financial aid for meritorious students |
| Total Scholarships | 82,000 annually |
| Eligible Courses | Undergraduate & Postgraduate |
| Managing Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Streams Covered | Humanities, Science, Commerce |
| Distribution Ratio | 3:3:1 (Humanities: Science: Commerce) |
| Interchangeability | Allowed across categories & states |
| Eligibility | Low-income, meritorious students |
| Governing Bodies | Ministry of Education, NITI Aayog |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000 yearly |
| Disbursement Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via PFMS |
| Fund Allocation | Distributed among states and categories |
| Application process | Online |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
Motive of National Scholarship
The scholarship aims to support students by providing financial assistance for higher education:
- Encourages meritorious students from low-income families to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies without financial stress.
- Ensures equal educational opportunities by distributing scholarships across states, genders, and different academic streams.
- Helps reduce dropout rates by offering financial aid to deserving students at critical academic stages.
- Promotes higher education participation among underprivileged sections, fostering social and economic empowerment.
- Facilitates academic growth and skill development by supporting students in diverse fields of study.
Eligibility Criteria
Students must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the scholarship program:
- Secure above the 80th percentile in their respective board exams in Class XII.
- Enroll in a regular, full-time course at a recognized educational institution.
- Not receive financial assistance from any other scholarship schemes or funding sources.
- Belong to a family with an annual income below Rs. 4.5 lakh.
- Continue or renew the scholarship if they change their institution, subject to approval.
Scholarship Amount Awarded
The scholarship provides financial assistance based on the year of study and course duration:
- Undergraduate (First Three Years): Students receive Rs. 12,000 per year to support their education.
- Undergraduate (Fourth & Fifth Year): Financial aid increases to Rs. 20,000 annually for eligible courses.
- Professional Courses (Fourth & Fifth Year): Students pursuing B. Tech and similar courses get Rs. 20,000 annually.
Disbursement of Scholarship Amount
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Scholarship funds are transferred directly to the student’s bank account via PFMS, requiring Aadhaar-linked accounts.
Important Factors Before Application Submission
Before applying, students must consider the following important factors:
- Institution Verification: Ensure the application is verified by the institution before the cut-off date; unverified applications are invalid.
- College or Course Change: Use the “Update College/Institution and Course” option in the NSP login after graduation.
- Grievance Redressal: Register complaints via the Grievance Registration tab in the NSP login or the provided link.
Benefits of National Scholarship
The scholarship provides various benefits to support students in their higher education journey:
- Reduces financial burden on students from low-income families, enabling them to pursue higher studies.
- Encourages academic excellence by rewarding meritorious students with financial assistance for their education.
- Promotes equal opportunities by ensuring fair distribution across states, genders, and academic streams.
- Supports professional and technical education by providing higher financial aid for extended courses.
- Ensures transparent and hassle-free fund transfer through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Salient Features
The scholarship has several key features that ensure effective support for students:
- Provides financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds for higher education.
- Awards 82,000 scholarships annually, equally distributed between male and female students.
- Covers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across humanities, science, commerce, and professional studies.
- Follows a transparent disbursement process through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via the PFMS system.
- Allows interchangeability of slots across categories, genders, and states in case of unfilled applications.
- Requires students to secure above the 80th percentile in Class XII board examinations for eligibility.
- Ensures that students do not receive benefits from multiple scholarship schemes simultaneously.
- Mandates Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for seamless fund transfer and verification purposes.
- Provides an online grievance redressal system through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for student queries.
- Supports students in continuing their education even if they change institutions, subject to approval.
Required Documents
Applicants need to upload the following documents for successful scholarship application submission:
- Class XII Mark Sheet
- Family Income Certificate
- Category/Caste Certificate (For Reserved Category Students)
- Disability Certificate (If Applicable)
- Verification Through DIGILOCKER (For Caste and Educational Credentials)
- Additional Documents (If Requested by Institute Nodal Officer)
Application Procedure for National Scholarship 2025
Students seeking NSP scholarships can apply through the official website. The registration process for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric programs for the 2024-25 academic session commenced on July 1, 2024. To apply, follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal to begin the application process.
Step 2: Click on the Students option available on the homepage to proceed further.
Step 3: If you are a new user, select “OTR (One Time Registration)” to create an account.
Step 4: Log in using your OTR ID and password to access the application form.
Step 5: Enter all required details accurately and upload scanned copies of necessary documents.
Step 6: Review the provided information carefully and click the “Submit” button to complete the application.
Contact Details
Office Address:
National Scholarship Division, Ministry Of Human Resource Development,
Department Of Higher Education, West Block 1,
2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,
R. K. Puram, Sector 1,
New Delhi 110066
Helpline No:
0120-6619540
Email ID:
helpdesk[at]nsp[dot]gov[dot]in
FAQs
Who is eligible for the National Scholarship?
Students who score above the 80th percentile in Class XII and belong to low-income families are eligible.
How can I apply for the scholarship?
Applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at https://scholarships.gov.in/.
What is the scholarship amount awarded?
Students receive Rs. 12,000 annually for the first three years and Rs. 20,000 for the fourth and fifth years.
How is the scholarship amount disbursed?
Funds are transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
What should I do if I change my college or course?
Use the “Update College/Institution and Course” option in your NSP login to update details.