Eligible students urged to apply through National Scholarship Portal
Scholarship opportunities under the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) are now open for the academic year 2025–26. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a public notice encouraging meritorious students from economically weaker sections to apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). The last date to apply, whether for fresh applications or renewals, is 31 October 2025.
Helping Students Pursue Higher Education
This scholarship, sponsored by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, aims to provide financial assistance to deserving students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The scheme supports part of the daily expenses of students during their higher education journey.
Selected undergraduate students are awarded Rs 12,000 per year for the first three years of college. Postgraduate students receive Rs 20,000 per year. The financial support eases the burden on families and allows students to focus on their academic goals without worrying about basic expenses.
Who Can Apply
Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 and are now in their first year of college, as well as those in second (Class 12 in 2023), third (Class 12 in 2022) and fourth (Class 12 in 2021) years of college, are eligible to apply. Both fresh applicants and those seeking renewal of their existing scholarship must apply through the portal within the deadline.
CBSE has urged all eligible students from its affiliated institutions to make sure they submit their applications on time and follow the correct procedure to avoid rejection.
Institutional Verification is Mandatory
A key requirement of this scholarship scheme is institutional verification. CBSE has directed all applicants to ensure that their applications are verified by their respective institutions. Students may be required to present their original documents for this process.
The board has also reminded nodal officers of schools and colleges to verify applications promptly, flag defects if any, or reject applications that do not meet the criteria. This is done through their official login on the National Scholarship Portal. Applications that are not verified will be treated as invalid.
CBSE’s notice states, “All candidates are advised to apply online within the stipulated time and get their online applications verified by the institutions. If required, show the original documents to the institute. Else the application would be treated as invalid.”
How to Apply
Students must apply through the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. The process is entirely online, and students are advised to follow the instructions carefully. It is important to fill out the application accurately, submit all necessary documents and ensure verification is completed on time.
Both fresh applicants and those applying for renewal should not wait until the last moment to complete the application process. Early submission gives institutions enough time for verification and helps avoid technical issues that can occur closer to the deadline.
Key Takeaways
This scholarship provides valuable support to students who wish to pursue higher education but face financial challenges. CBSE’s reminder highlights the importance of timely application and verification, which are crucial for successful processing of applications under the CSSS scheme.
Students are encouraged to read the official guidelines carefully on the National Scholarship Portal before applying. They should also reach out to their school or college authorities for assistance if needed.
The Central Sector Scholarship is a meaningful step in making higher education accessible to deserving students across India. Those eligible should make sure to take advantage of this opportunity and apply well before 31 October 2025.
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