Central Sector Scholarship 2020-21: Application Process, Dates, Eligibility, Renewal

What is the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme?

Started by the Department of Higher Education, MHRD, Central Sector Scholarship is a Merit-cum-means scholarship programme funded by the central government.

Central Sector Scholarship was initiated as an objective for the welfare of financially underprivileged students. Every year, around 82,000 graduates and postgraduates receive this scholarship.

Equal number of scholarships are provided to both the genders which means that if 41,000 scholarships are offered to the boys, the rest 41,000 are reserved for girls.

INR 20,000 annually is provided to the selected students in order to help them meet their needs.

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the Central Sector Scholarship program including the eligibility criteria, the application process, renewal process and the documents that are required for filling out the application forms.

Central Sector Scholarship Details

Rewards Offered By Central Sector Scholarship

Since the main objective of the Central Sector Scholarship program was to provide monetary help to students who belong to financially unstable families In order to help them attain further education, around 82,000 scholarships are offered by the authorities every year in equal proportions to ensure equality between the genders.

After separating the population on the basis of CBSE and ICSE, the scholarships are dispersed to the state education board according to the demographics of 18 to 25 year olds in the state.

These scholarships are divided in a 3:2:1 ratio for the students of Science, Commerce and arts.

The scholarships are disbursed directly into the students account via DBT mode or Direct Benefits Transfer mode.

The table below, gives Central Sector Scholarship details of the rewards offered based on the particular scholarships that the students apply for.

Eligibility criteria for Central Sector Scholarship

Meritorious students who are financially underprivileged are benefited with the Central Sector Scholarship scheme. Given below, is an essential criteria that needs to be fulfilled in order for students to be eligible for application.

• Interested candidates must score in the top 20 percent of the merit list of class 12th of the boards SEB/ICSE/CBSE.
• Interested candidates should be pursuing general or regular courses at graduation, post graduation or professional level from institutions recognized by UGC, DCI, AICTE, MCI or other statutory authorities.
• A reservation of 15%, 7.5%, 27% and 5% will be given to students that belong to the category of SC, ST, OBC and PWD.
• The annual income of the candidate’s family should be less than INR 8 lakhs.
• Students that are currently pursuing a diploma are not eligible for this scholarship scheme.

Application Process for Central Sector Scholarship

The Ministry of Human Resources and Development has made the application process for Central Sector Scholarship a lot easier by allowing students to fill the application forms online via National Scholarship Portal.

Here are the steps that you will require to follow in order to fill the application form:

• First time users of national scholarship portal are required to register themselves with the portal as new users.
• Fill in all the necessary details and then tap on the “register” option. A student application ID number along with a password will be sent to your registered mobile number.
• Next, the applicants must log on to the national scholarship portal by using the ID number and password. A one time password will be sent to your mobile number using which you must change your password.
• Next, you will be directed to the dashboard where you must tap on “application form” and begin with the application process.
• Give all the necessary information such as your name, contact number, academic details etc. here.
• Upload all the essential documents.
• Save the application form as a draft and revise the form to make sure it is filled out correctly.
• Finally, tap on the submit button and your application for scholarship will be submitted.

Documents Required For Central Sector Scholarship

Here is a detailed list of all the documents that the candidate must require during the filling of application form.

• Applying candidates’ bank passbook
• Candidate’s Aadhar card number (In case of unavailability of the Aadhar card number, his/her Voter ID, driving license, PAN card or passport can also be used
• Income certificate of the candidate
• Disability certificate if needed
• Mark sheet of Class 12th
• Cast certificate

Scholarship Renewal Process for Central Sector Scholarship

The recipients of Central Sector Scholarship can receive the rewards for up to five years (including graduation and post graduation time).

The stream in which the candidate pursues graduation and post graduation must be the same. Not just that but also the eligibility criteria must be fulfilled by the applicant in order to be selected for the scholarship.

• The candidate must have scored at least 50% or more in the last qualifying examination.
• The candidate must have in attendance of 75% at least.
• The candidate shouldn’t be involved in ragging or other such notorious activities.
• If the candidate fulfils all of the above mentioned conditions then he/she can apply for the renewal of their scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal.

Application Fee for Central Sector Scholarship

Application for Central Sector Scholarship scheme is absolutely free of cost. No money is charged from the students for applying for the scholarship.

Terms and Conditions for Central Sector Scholarship

• Reservation is only applicable to the candidates that belong to the minorities such as SC, ST, OBC and PWD.
• Student applications that remain unverified by the Institution or State Education Board are considered invalid.
• Selected students can receive Scholarship rewards only up to 5 years.
• 50% scholarships are reserved for boy candidates and 50% for girl candidates.

Important Dates for Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

Central Sector Scholarship – Contact Information

If you still have any queries regarding the Central Sector Scholarship derails, you can contact the concerned authorities at

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
Phone No: 011-26172917, 26172491

Central Sector Scholarship – FAQ’s

Q1. How do I get the Central Sector Scholarship?

Ans. In order to apply for the Central Sector Scholarship by MHRD, the students need to fulfil the eligibility criteria that has been mentioned under the eligibility criteria for Central Sector Scholarship 2020 heading. If you are selected for the scholarship, direct payment of the scholarship amount will be made to your bank account via DBT.

Q2. Am I eligible for the Central Sector Scholarship?

Ans. Interested candidates must score in the top 20 percent of the merit list of class 12th of the boards SEB/ICSE/CBSE. For more information, check the “Eligibility criteria for Central Sector Scholarship” heading.

Q3. What documents do I need to provide for applying to the Scholarship?

Ans. You must provide the first page of details on your bank passbook along with your aadhaar card number (voter ID, driving license, PAN card or passport can also be used in case of unavailability of aadhaar number).

Your family’s income certificate and caste certificate (if any) is also to be attached along with the mark list of class 12th.

For more information on the same, check out the “Documents Required for Application of Central Sector Scholarship” heading.

Q4. How much income is required for applying for the scholarship?

Ans. Candidate’s annual income must be less than INR 8 lakhs.

Q5. What percentage of marks is required for renewal of scholarship?

Ans. At least 50% or more in the last qualifying exam along with 75% attendance.

Q6. I belong to the general category. Can I apply for the scholarship too?

Ans. Yes you can. The Central Sector Scholarship list 2020 includes students of all categories. However there are certain reservations made by the Government for SC, ST and OBC categories. You can find more information about that under the heading “Eligibility criteria for Central Sector Scholarship”.