Understanding the PM-USP Scheme: Financial Aid for Higher Education

The PM-USP Scheme aims to support economically disadvantaged students in India by providing financial assistance for higher education. This initiative helps students manage their daily expenses while pursuing their studies. Scholarships are awarded based on board exam results, with significant amounts available for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Eligibility criteria include academic performance, enrollment in recognized institutions, and family income limits. Discover how this scheme can facilitate academic success for deserving students.

By Ambika Singh Oct 16, 2025, 09:40 IST

Overview of the PM-USP Scheme

PM-USP Scheme: Poverty often crushes dreams before they can flourish. To combat this, the Indian government has initiated various programs aimed at supporting talented students. The Prime Minister's Higher Education Promotion (PM-USP) scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance to students from economically disadvantaged families. This initiative aims to help these students manage their daily expenses while pursuing higher education, thereby facilitating their academic success.

Scholarship Availability

The Ministry of Education in India offers these scholarships based on the results of the higher secondary or class 12 board examinations. Each year, up to 82,000 new scholarships are made available to assist students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses such as medicine and engineering.

Scholarship Amounts

Scholarship Rates

For the first three years of college and university courses at the undergraduate level: ₹12,000 per year.

At the postgraduate level: ₹20,000 per year.

For students in professional courses during their fourth and fifth years: ₹20,000 per year, applicable if the course duration is five years or an integrated program.

Students enrolled in technical courses like B.Tech or B.E. will receive scholarships only up to the undergraduate level, i.e., ₹12,000 per year for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the fourth year.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must have scored above 80% in the relevant stream of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent class 12 from the respective board.

The applicant must be enrolled in a regular degree program.

The course must be conducted in colleges/institutions recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education and relevant regulatory bodies.

The applicant's gross parental/family income should not exceed ₹4,50,000 per year.

To renew the scholarship each year, the student must achieve at least 50% marks in the annual examination and maintain a minimum attendance of 75%.

It is mandatory for students to open bank accounts linked to their Aadhaar numbers.