Quick answer: The NSP Central Sector Scholarship rewards students who rank in the top 20% of their Class 12 board results, regardless of category, with family income below ₹4.5 lakh per year. It pays ₹12,000 per year for undergraduate studies and ₹20,000 per year for postgraduate studies, disbursed directly via DBT for up to five years or the course duration.
- Central Sector Scholarship is purely merit-based — open to any category, not restricted to SC/ST/OBC/minority students.
- Students must rank in the top 20 percentile of their respective Class 12 board.
- Income limit is ₹4.5 lakh per year, higher than most category-based schemes.
- Amount is ₹12,000/year for UG and ₹20,000/year for PG courses.
- Renewal each year requires maintaining at least 50% marks (varies slightly by stream) and satisfactory attendance.
What Is the Central Sector Scholarship?
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is a merit-based scholarship run by the Ministry of Education, rewarding students who perform in the top percentile of their Class 12 board exams. Consequently, unlike most other NSP schemes, this one doesn’t require any category or community certificate — only your board result percentile and income certificate matter.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic Rank | Top 20 percentile of your Class 12 board |
| Course | Enrolled in a regular undergraduate degree course (not correspondence/distance) |
| Family Income | Below ₹4.5 lakh per year |
| Category | Open to all categories — no caste or community restriction |
| Other Scholarships | Should not be receiving another central or state scholarship simultaneously |
Therefore, students who narrowly miss category-based scheme income limits but rank well academically should specifically check the Central Sector Scholarship, since its ₹4.5 lakh income ceiling is notably higher than most other NSP schemes.
Central Sector Scholarship Amount
| Course Level | Annual Amount | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ₹12,000/year | First 3 years of the course |
| Postgraduate | ₹20,000/year | PG years, subject to overall 5-year cap |
Consequently, a student pursuing an integrated UG-PG program can potentially receive scholarship support across the full duration, though the total support period is capped at five years combined.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card — required for OTR registration and identity verification.
- Class 12 Marksheet — proof of your percentile ranking in the board exam.
- Admission/Bonafide Certificate — confirming enrollment in a regular UG or PG course.
- Income Certificate — confirming family income is below ₹4.5 lakh.
- Bank Passbook — Aadhaar-seeded account in the student’s own name.
Use our free documents checklist generator to confirm the exact list before applying.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on scholarships.gov.in using Aadhaar-based eKYC. |
| Step 2 | Log in and select the Central Sector Scholarship scheme. |
| Step 3 | Enter your Class 12 percentile, admission details, and course information. |
| Step 4 | Fill in Aadhaar-seeded bank account details for DBT payment. |
| Step 5 | Upload your marksheet, bonafide certificate, and income certificate. |
| Step 6 | Review carefully and click “Final Submit,” then save your application ID. |
Track your application anytime with our free status checker tool.
Expert Tips
Confirm your exact percentile ranking with your board before applying, since the top 20% threshold is calculated per board and per stream, not as a single national cutoff. Additionally, maintain satisfactory academic performance each year, since renewal depends on meeting minimum marks criteria, not just your initial Class 12 result.
NSP Central Sector Scholarship — frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Central Sector Scholarship?
Students who rank in the top 20 percentile of their Class 12 board, with family income below ₹4.5 lakh, regardless of category.
How much does the Central Sector Scholarship pay?
₹12,000 per year for undergraduate studies and ₹20,000 per year for postgraduate studies.
Is this scholarship restricted by category?
No. It’s purely merit-based and open to students of any category or community.
How is the top 20 percentile calculated?
It’s calculated per board and stream, so check with your specific board for the exact cutoff percentage applicable to you.
Can distance or correspondence students apply?
Generally no. The scheme requires enrollment in a regular undergraduate or postgraduate course.
What is the maximum duration of support?
Support is capped at a combined maximum of five years across undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Can I hold this scholarship along with another one?
Generally no, you should not be receiving another central or state scholarship for the same purpose simultaneously.
Conclusion: The Central Sector Scholarship is one of the few NSP schemes open to all categories, rewarding top academic performers with a relatively high ₹4.5 lakh income ceiling. Confirm your percentile with your board, apply early, and use our eligibility checker and status checker tool to track your application.
