Scholarship for CBSE Students 2026-27: Dates, Amount & Eligibility

In my opinion, there are many learners in India who find it challenging to continue their education, especially after their Class 12 grades.

To assist these enthusiastic students, the government offers a helping hand by offering some of the most useful scholarships. These financial aids are popularly known as scholarships for CBSE students.

Such scholarships are mostly for meritorious learners who have huge potential and can contribute towards the development of the nation.

But to avail these scholarships, you need to know their individual names, categories, eligibility, websites for application, and other details, so that you don't miss out on a brighter future. Read the following article for the same.

Scholarship for CBSE students​: 2026-27 overview

Currently, CBSE has schemes for scholarships for single girl children and board merit-based scholarships for SC/ST students. It also helps in the verification of applications for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College/University Students.

The application for the National Scholarship Portal 2026-27 began on 1st June 2026. Students can apply for only one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes as per the eligibility criteria of the respective schemes, says NSP. Only One Time Registration (OTR) is required for applying via NSP.

1. CBSE scholarship for Class 10 passed students

The students who have passed out from CBSE-affiliated schools can avail scholarships for their study in Class XI & XII. One of the most notable CBSE-specific scholarships is the CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child.

The fresh guidelines issued by CBSE for this scheme allow the inclusion of eligible girl candidates who have passed the CBSE Class X exam and who are pursuing their Class XI and Class XII education in a CBSE-affiliated school with 70% marks and above. The scheme also has a limit on the tuition fees and a cap on family income at ₹8 lakh per annum.

According to the CBSE 2025 application notice, this was an invitation to the students of CBSE-affiliated schools who have passed out Class X in 2025 and are studying in Class XI. Hence, it is advisable to match the 2016-2017 cycle with the new CBSE notification 2026-2027 instead of assuming that the dates would be the same.

2. CBSE scholarship for Class 12 passed students

After completing Class XII, students can apply for higher education scholarships in addition to the CBSE-level scholarships which are offered at the school level. The PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for college and university students (CSSS) is especially significant for meritorious Class XII students who are pursuing regular undergraduate programs.

The scheme is based on the merit of Class XII and is designed for meritorious students from low-income groups. As per the official guidelines, applicants should be above the 80th percentile of the selected candidates of the relevant stream and should opt for a regular recognised course.

The scheme is not just for CBSE students. Students from various recognised boards can be eligible under the scheme on the basis of the board-wise eligibility and allocation criteria of the scheme. CBSE students register on the National Scholarship Portal during the period of the opening of the scheme.

Types of ​Scholarships for CBSE students

CBSE students have a few different scholarship options. The following brief discussion of three important schemes is provided.

1. CBSE single girl child scholarship for 2026-27

CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child is designed for the parents to encourage them to support the education of their single girl child, and for the meritorious girl students to continue their education after Class X level.

The latest published fresh-application guidelines say that the student should be a single child of her parents, have obtained a minimum of 70% marks in the CBSE Class X exam and be studying Classes XI and XII in a CBSE-affiliated school. The prescribed limits of tuition fee must be maintained, and gross income of the family/parent must not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum.

CBSE's guidelines also state that the number of scholarships can vary according to the eligible candidates in a particular year. The scholarship will be renewed for the following year on the same conditions.

Students should be aware that the term 'single girl child' is specific. CBSE defines a single girl child as only one girl child born to a mother and father. Thus, a student is not typically eligible under this specific scheme if he or she has a sibling.

2. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)

The PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College/University students (CSSS) is one of the important Government of India scholarships for higher studies. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education administers it.

The scheme is designed to assist deserving students from low-income families to be able to pay for the cost of their education and daily living. Up to 82,000 new scholarships are available per year, of which 50% are reserved for girls.

In general, the students have to be at the 80th percentile of the successful candidates in the relevant stream of Class XII, have a regular recognised course and fulfil the appropriate family-income and other requirements for fresh applications. Students who want to use the CSSS must be enrolled in a master's program.

Please see the National Scholarship Portal for 2026-27 CSSS renewal application and deadlines for verification. Please note that the fresh application and renewal timelines may differ for students seeking a fresh scholarship - please refer to the specific fresh application notice on NSP.

3. CBSE board merit scholarship for SC/ST students

CBSE also offers a Board Merit Scholarship Scheme to SC/ST candidates. It aims at providing support to meritorious students of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community.

According to CBSE's latest published Citizen Charter, the minimum marks required to be secured by the candidates under the new scheme are 85% in the relevant CBSE examination of Class X or Class XII. The Board compiles a composite merit list, not considering only the aggregate marks, but merit certificates given for various subjects.

According to the same CBSE document, the scholarship is to be provided to selected students of the SC/ST community from Class X and XII, and the scholarship can be extended beyond the first year in accordance with the conditions of the scheme. Offline applications are invited from the provisionally selected meritorious candidates, and the required documents along with the application form are the certificate of caste and declaration.

Students should see the latest CBSE notification for 2026-27 before applying, as the published data pertains to certain academic-year cycles and the selection list, dates and applicable scholarship amount are subject to change.

​Scholarship for CBSE students: Application timesheet

We know that it can be misleading when you have so much on your plate and still have to apply for varied scholarships after Class 10 and Class 12. At least you should know the application dates and timesheet for each scholarship mentioned in this piece.

The NSP has confirmed that the 2026-27 portal was opened on 1st June 2026. Several schemes have an entry deadline for the portal. For instance, a number of schemes in the current NSP listing have a student deadline of 31 October 2026, while the CSSS renewal listing has its own student deadline. Students need to therefore make sure to verify each scheme page and not rely on a single date.

Scholarships for CBSE students 2026-27: Where and how to apply

Only official portals shall be used for students to apply for scholarships.

In case students are interested in pursuing scholarships specific to CBSE, then they are requested to visit the CBSE Scholarship page and look into the notification, guidelines, eligibility criteria and application link for the latest scholarships. The CBSE itself has suggested to the applicants that they must submit their application in full form before the last date.

The students can apply for the CSSS and most of the other central and state government scholarships at the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Students will be asked to complete an OTR form prior to submitting a scholarship application for the NSP.

Here's how to apply through NSP:

• Go to the National Scholarship Portal.
• Fill out the required One-Time Registration.
• Use the scholarship process login information to log in.
• Choose the suitable scholarship scheme.
• Fill in the name of the school, personal, bank and family income details carefully.
• Submit requested documents to the scheme.
• Be sure to preview the application before submission.
• Submit the application before the deadline.
• Fill in institute or school verification, as necessary.
• Check the status of the application online.

Students are requested to ensure that their name, date of birth, Aadhaar-related details, bank account details, marks, category and other details are the same as their official records. Verification problems or rejection can result from incorrect information.

Documents required for application of scholarships for CBSE students 2026-27

Specific documents will depend on the scholarship. Students are always encouraged to use the latest scheme-specific checklist.

1. CBSE single girl child scholarship for 2026-27

Generally, applicants will require documents or information about:

• Awarded marks of students from the CBSE Class X exam.
• Proof of identity
• Declaration about the applicant being the only child of her parents (as required by the CBSE declaration/process)
• School information and verification.
• Information/certificate on family income as required
• Tuition-fee details
• Scholarship Payment Bank Account Information

Verification of the exact document requirements should be made according to the current CBSE application guidelines.

2. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)

The following items may be required for applicants to CSSS:

• Class XII marksheet
• Family-income certificate
• Provide a copy of the category/caste certificate, if applicable.
• Bank account details
• Aadhaar/OTR related information as per requirement of NSP
• The details of the recognised college or university.
• Marksheet from previous year (for renewal applications)

The Class XII marksheet, family-income certificate, and category/caste certificate are mentioned in the Ministry of Education's Citizen Charter as the required documents for fresh applicants, whereas the previous year's Class XII marksheet is required by renewal applicants.

3. CBSE board merit scholarship for SC/ST students

The latest published CBSE Citizen Charter for CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST students has the following:

• Application form
• Caste certificate
• Declaration

The scheme is said to be an online, provisional selection of meritorious SC/ST candidates.

Amount and benefits of scholarships for CBSE students 2026-27

The value of the scholarships differs from one scheme to another.

The guidelines issued by CBSE recently outline the current framework and eligibility of the Single Girl Child Scholarship. The exact amount for the current cycle (2026-27) is ₹1000 in Classes 11 and 12. It aids in school and stationery expenses of girl-child learners.

The published scheme by the Ministry of Education prescribes the following payments for the CSSS: ₹12,000 per annum at the graduation level, ₹20,000 per annum at the post-graduate level, for 3 years, depending on the conditions of the scheme and applicable course structure.

The CSSS can therefore contribute part of the costs of the students, like study materials, travelling, accommodation, other costs related to the exams and other expenses for the students' daily education. It is especially beneficial to students from less affluent families who are going to college or university.

Under the revised published scheme of the CBSE, the award of CBSE Board Merit Scholarship for SC/ST students provides ₹12,000 per annum for a maximum of 50 students in each class (X and XII). With 33 students being awarded under the SC category and 17 students under the ST category, as per the scheme framework.

But scholarship amounts, selection criteria and renewal criteria may be changed. Thus, a notification for the student's academic year is always final.

Conclusion

Availing scholarships and being able to pay your tuition fees is one of the best feelings for a hard-working student. The scholarships for CBSE students are made available to help them pursue their advanced studies as well as their career.

Before moving ahead, we hope you have noted down all the necessary information you need to get these scholarships. Ensure that you have all the documents and required eligibility standards for a particular scholarship.

Frequently asked questions