CBSE Central Sector Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 (Open), Last Date, Eligibility, Required Document

About Central Sector Scholarships 2025-26

CSS scheme supports the meritorious candidates financially. It assists their day-to-day expenditure while students pursue higher studies. Candidates are required to meet the eligibility criteria to be eligible for the central sector scholarships. The scheme aims to offer over 82,000 scholarships per year, where 41,000 scholarships are for boys and 41,000 for girls. These scholarships are further divided among the state education boards based on the student population in the state.

Central Sector Scholarship Dates 2025-26

The CSS scholarship is sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Candidates must know the application dates to avoid cancellations and delays from the institutes.

Central Sector Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2025-26

• To qualify for the Central Sector Scholarship 2025-26, a candidate's annual family income should not exceed INR 4.5 lakhs.
• Students scoring above 80% in their 12th exams can apply for the CSS.
• These scholarships are distributed among state education boards considering the state’s student population whose age is between 18 to 25 years.
• Candidates who are already receiving benefits from other scholarships are not eligible for the central sector scholarships.

CSS 2025-26 Application

• The Central Board of Secondary Education started the application process for CSS 2025-26. Students can apply for the CSS scholarship scheme 2025-26 till October 31, 2025.
• Candidates must go through the scholarship scheme and eligibility criteria before applying for it to avoid any inconvenience.
• They can visit the National Scholarship Portal to apply for the central sector scholarship 2025-26.

Central Sector Scholarship Amount 2025-26

Candidates who receive the benefit of the central sector scholarship will get financial assistance of INR 12,000 per annum. This amount will be for the first three years of the scholarship. Students will get INR 20,000 per annum for the fourth and fifth years from the start of the scholarship. All this is as per the scholarship scheme.

Documents Required for CSS 2025-26

The following are the documents required to apply for the Central Sector Scholarship 2025-26.

• Class 12th mark sheet
• Bank passbook with student photograph
• Aadhaar card or Voter ID or driving licence or PAN card or Passport
• An income certificate issued by the competent authority
• Disability certificate (if applicable)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)