Scholarship
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students(CSS-UMSCS)
Overview
About CSS-UMSCS
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It is an educational support scheme rather than a straight cash award: the government funds coaching for Scheduled Caste students to raise their academic standing before higher study and professional courses.
The scheme works through two kinds of coaching. Remedial coaching addresses gaps in core school subjects, and special coaching prepares students for the competitive entrance examinations that lead into professional streams such as engineering and medicine. Both are aimed at students in Classes IX to XII.
The support is not limited to teaching. Where the coaching is residential, students also receive boarding, lodging and allowances. The aim throughout is to remove the educational deficiencies that hold Scheduled Caste students back in these years.
It is meant for Scheduled Caste students in the covered classes, delivered on the ground by State Governments and Union Territory administrations, which arrange the coaching with central assistance. The exact allocations, grant amounts and who qualifies in a given year are set by the ministry and the implementing state, so check the current notification before you apply.
Sources: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment – Upgradation of Merit of SC Students · myScheme – Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students · Government of Haryana (SEWA) – Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of SC/ST Students
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment
Central Government
Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Category | Social welfare & Empowerment, Education & Learning |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The applicant must be a Scheduled Caste student. | |
| The applicant must be studying in classes IX to XII. | |
| The applicant must be enrolled in schools selected by the State Government under the scheme. | |
| The applicant may be enrolled in class X or XI if he/she has shown excellent performance in the previous examination and missed entry at class IX level for any reason. | |
| The applicant must be from districts selected based on highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts (for new selections from 2014-15 onwards). | |
| Girls students are given equal preference with awards allocated in 50:50 ratio between boys and girls. | |
| Unutilized awards by girls may be used by boys and vice-versa. | |
| At least 3% representation for disabled Scheduled Caste students wherever possible. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- ₹25,000/- per student per year with the following breakdown: _₹15,000/- per student per year comprising -_
- Boarding and Lodging Charges: ₹900/- per month for 10 months = ₹9,000/- (for residential school students only)
- Pocket Money: ₹300/- per month for 10 months = ₹3,000/-
- Books and Stationery: ₹3,000/-
- _₹10,000/- per year per student -_
- For honorarium to Principal, Experts and other incidental charges.
- Additional Benefits for Students with Disabilities
- _Reader Allowance:_ ₹200/- per month for blind students in classes IX to XII.- _Transport Allowance:_ ₹100/- per month for disabled students not residing in hostel within educational institution premises.- _Special Pay:_ ₹200/- per month for hostel employees assisting severely orthopaedically handicapped students.- _Escort Allowance:_ ₹100/- per month for severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability.- _Allowance:_ ₹200/- per month towards extra coaching for mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX to XII.
- Students must maintain regular attendance and academic performance as monitored by school authorities.
- Students must complete the full coaching program from Class IX to XII to derive maximum benefit.
- Compliance with the transparent selection and monitoring process established by State Governments.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
CSS-UMSCS – FAQ
Disclaimer
Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.