Last updated for the 2026 examination cycle. This guide is for Std 4 students (PUP) and Std 7 students (PSS) studying in Maharashtra State Board recognised schools, in any of the four available mediums: Marathi, English, Hindi, or Urdu.
What are PUP and PSS Scholarships?
The Maharashtra State Council of Examinations (MSCE), Pune, conducts two important scholarship examinations annually:
- PUP — Pre Upper Primary Scholarship Examination (पूर्व उच्च प्राथमिक शिष्यवृत्ती परीक्षा) for Std 4 students.
- PSS — Pre Secondary Scholarship Examination (पूर्व माध्यमिक शिष्यवृत्ती परीक्षा) for Std 7 students.
These exams have a long history in Maharashtra — they started decades ago to identify and reward bright students from across the state, and continue to be one of the most widely-attempted scholarship exams. Lakhs of students appear every year. The exams are taken seriously by parents and schools across rural and urban Maharashtra alike.
Beyond the cash scholarship, qualifying these exams gives students recognition and confidence from a young age — many top performers go on to compete successfully in NMMS, NTSE (when active), and entrance exams later in life. Scoring well in PUP/PSS also opens doors to Navodaya Vidyalaya admissions and specialised scholarship programmes in Std 8 and beyond.
PUP vs PSS — Quick Comparison
| Particular | PUP (Std 4) | PSS (Std 7) |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Std 4 students | Std 7 students |
| Conducted by | MSCE Pune | MSCE Pune |
| Number of Papers | 2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2) | 2 (Paper 1 + Paper 2) |
| Total marks | 300 (150 + 150) | 300 (150 + 150) |
| Total questions | 150 (75 + 75) | 150 (75 + 75) |
| Duration | 90 min per paper (180 min total) | 90 min per paper |
| Mediums | Marathi / English / Hindi / Urdu | Marathi / English / Hindi / Urdu |
| Question type | Multiple Choice (OMR) | Multiple Choice (OMR) |
| Negative marking | None | None |
| Subjects | Language + Mathematics + Intelligence | Language + Mathematics + Intelligence (advanced) |
PUP (Std 4) — Detailed Pattern
Paper 1 of PUP
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Language (मराठी / English / हिंदी / اردو) | 25 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 50 | 100 |
| Total Paper 1 | 75 | 150 |
Paper 2 of PUP
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Language (same medium as Paper 1) | 25 | 50 |
| Intelligence Test (बुद्धिमत्ता चाचणी / Reasoning) | 50 | 100 |
| Total Paper 2 | 75 | 150 |
PSS (Std 7) — Detailed Pattern
Same format as PUP, but with the Std 7 syllabus. The Mathematics section in PSS includes more advanced topics (algebra, geometry, statistics basics).
| Paper | Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Language | 25 | 50 |
| Mathematics (Std 7 syllabus) | 50 | 100 | |
| Paper 2 | Language | 25 | 50 |
| Intelligence Test | 50 | 100 |
Eligibility Criteria
- For PUP: Must be a regular student of Std 4 in a Maharashtra Government / Government-aided / Recognised private school.
- For PSS: Must be a regular student of Std 7 in a Maharashtra Government / Government-aided / Recognised private school.
- Domicile: Must be from Maharashtra (with required residence proof).
- Income criteria: No income limit for PUP/PSS — open to all students of the eligible class. (This is different from NMMS, which has the ₹3.5 lakh income limit.)
- Medium: Choose any one of: Marathi (मराठी), English, Hindi (हिंदी), Urdu (اردو). Question paper is bilingual (your medium + English).
PUP Syllabus — Std 4 Topics
Language
Tests reading, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar at the Std 4 level. Topics in Marathi/Hindi/English/Urdu typically include:
- Comprehension passages (5 small paragraphs with 5 questions)
- Synonyms and antonyms (समानार्थी / विरुद्धार्थी)
- One-word substitutes
- Identifying parts of speech (noun, pronoun, adjective, verb)
- Singular/plural, gender, tenses (basic)
- Idioms and proverbs (common ones)
- Sentence structure, punctuation
- Picture-based vocabulary
Mathematics (Std 4 level)
- Number system (counting up to 1 lakh, place value, expanded form)
- Operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division — up to 4 digits)
- Fractions (simple comparisons, addition/subtraction of like fractions)
- Decimals (basic — up to 2 decimal places)
- Time, calendar, money problems
- Length, weight, capacity (metric system)
- Geometry: shapes, lines, angles (basic)
- Word problems (everyday contexts)
- Patterns and number puzzles
Intelligence Test (बुद्धिमत्ता चाचणी)
This is what makes PUP/PSS unique compared to regular school exams. Topics include:
- Number series and sequences
- Pictorial reasoning (find next picture, missing piece)
- Classification (odd one out)
- Analogies (number, word, picture)
- Direction sense (basic)
- Coding-decoding (simple letter or number codes)
- Mirror images and water reflections
- Cube and block counting
- Jigsaw / pattern completion
- Logical sequencing
PSS Syllabus — Std 7 Topics
Language (Std 7 level)
More advanced than PUP. Includes:
- Comprehension of longer paragraphs (up to 200 words)
- Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutes (advanced vocabulary)
- Phrases, idioms, proverbs (Marathi: म्हणी आणि वाक्प्रचार)
- Grammar: noun types, verb forms, tenses (all 12), voice change, direct/indirect speech
- Sentence transformation (negative ↔ affirmative, interrogative)
- Sandhi and samas (in Marathi: संधी, समास)
- Letter writing, story writing fundamentals
- Reading comprehension with inference questions
Mathematics (Std 7 level)
- Integer operations (positive/negative, BODMAS)
- Fractions and decimals (advanced — multiplication, division)
- Percentages, profit/loss, simple interest
- Ratio and proportion
- Algebraic expressions (basic — like terms, simplification, solving simple equations)
- Linear equations in one variable
- Geometry: angles, parallel lines, triangles, properties; area & perimeter; congruence basics
- Mensuration (area of triangle, parallelogram, circle; volume of cube and cuboid)
- Statistics basics (mean, median, mode introduction; reading bar graphs and pie charts)
- Squares, square roots, cubes, cube roots
Intelligence Test (Std 7 level)
Same categories as PUP but with greater complexity:
- Multi-step number series
- Coding-decoding (with shifting letter codes, numeric codes, mixed)
- Blood relations
- Direction and distance (with calculations)
- Calendar and clock (date arithmetic, angle between hands)
- Logical syllogism (statement-conclusion)
- Venn diagrams (set theory basics)
- Cube cutting and stacking
- Higher-order pattern recognition
Important Dates (Approximate)
- Notification & online application: September–October
- Application deadline: Mid-November
- Admit card download: ~10 days before exam
- Exam date: Usually first or second Sunday of February (PUP and PSS often held on the same day, separate sessions)
- Answer key release: ~1 week after exam
- Result: April–May
Scholarship Amounts & Recognition
- State-level toppers receive cash awards plus official certificates from the Government of Maharashtra.
- District-level toppers also receive certificates and recognition.
- While the cash component is modest compared to NMMS, the recognition value is high — schools highlight scholarship recipients, and parents view it as a strong indicator of academic talent.
- Many private and aided schools offer fee concessions or admission preference to scholarship qualifiers in subsequent classes.
Preparation Strategy
For PUP (Std 4) — Months 1–4 of Std 4
- Master the Std 4 textbooks first — language, maths, EVS. Don't skip any chapter.
- Solve daily reasoning puzzles — start with simple picture puzzles, move to letter/number series.
- Build mental math speed — daily 20-minute practice of addition, multiplication tables (up to 20), and word problems.
- Read for fun in your medium — story books, short comprehension passages — to build vocabulary and reading speed.
- Solve previous year PUP papers in the last 2 months — at least 3–5 full papers.
For PSS (Std 7) — Throughout Std 7
- Std 7 mathematics is the highest-yielding section — 100 marks. Master every chapter from the Maharashtra State Board textbook.
- Practise reasoning daily — at this level, the problems are sophisticated. Use a dedicated reasoning book.
- Read newspaper editorials in your chosen medium — this builds advanced vocabulary and comprehension speed.
- Maintain a 'mistakes notebook' — track what you got wrong in mock papers and revise weekly.
- Solve at least 5 previous year PSS papers under timed conditions in the final month.
Suggested Books & Resources
- State Board textbooks (Class 4 / Class 7): The single most important resource. ~70-80% of language and maths questions stem from these.
- MSCE-specific scholarship guides: 'Navneet Scholarship Exam Guide for Std 4' and 'Navneet Scholarship Guide for Std 7' (available in Marathi and English mediums) — comprehensive preparation books with topic-wise practice.
- Intelligence test: Navneet 'बुद्धिमत्ता चाचणी' (Marathi) or English/Hindi equivalents. Daily 20-30 reasoning questions.
- Previous Year Papers: 'Sangati / Geeta Publication' or 'Padma' previous year scholarship papers (Std 4 and Std 7).
- Free practice on EkXam: 5 PUP papers (English) + 5 PSS papers (Marathi) with detailed answer logic for every question.
Free Sample Questions
Q1 (PUP — Mathematics). What is the greatest 4-digit number?
(b) 9990
(c) 9099
(d) 1000
Q2 (PSS — Mathematics). The sum of two consecutive even numbers is 30. What are the numbers?
(b) 14 and 16
(c) 10 and 20
(d) 13 and 17
Q3 (PSS — Intelligence Test). Find the missing number: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
(b) 42
(c) 44
(d) 46
Q4 (PUP — Language English). Choose the correct synonym of 'BIG':
(b) Tiny
(c) Large
(d) Short
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make
- Underestimating the Intelligence Test. Many parents and students focus on language and maths, but the Intelligence section carries 100 of the 300 marks. Practise reasoning daily.
- Not solving previous year papers. PUP/PSS often repeat similar question types and patterns. Solving past papers is the single highest-ROI prep activity.
- Choosing the wrong medium. Pick the medium your child reads, writes, and thinks in — not the 'prestige' medium. Comfort with the language matters more than language itself.
- Last-minute cramming. Reasoning skills can't be crammed — they require sustained daily practice. Start at least 4-6 months before exam.
- Ignoring time management. 75 questions in 90 minutes = 1 minute 12 seconds per question. Practice time-bound mocks in the final month.
- Skipping the application deadline. Applications close in mid-November. Coordinate with your school's scholarship coordinator early — schools handle the bulk submission to MSCE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PUP/PSS exam fee high?
No — the application fee is very modest (typically under ₹100, varies by year). Schools handle bulk submission, so you usually pay through your school office.
Can my child appear if our school is private but recognised?
Yes — both Government, Government-aided, and Government-recognised private schools are eligible. Check with your school office that they're submitting your child's application.
What if my child fails one paper but passes another?
Both papers are considered together for total marks (300). There's no individual passing requirement per paper — selection is based on combined performance. Aim for consistency across all sections.
Are PUP/PSS exams useful for future scholarships?
Absolutely. Strong performance in PUP/PSS builds the foundation for NMMS (Std 8), Navodaya entrance, and competitive exams later in school. Many top NEET/JEE/UPSC aspirants started their competitive journey with these exams.
In which language should my child write the exam?
Pick the medium your child has been studying in. Switching mediums for exam purposes is a recipe for confusion. The exam is bilingual (your medium + English) so even Marathi-medium students benefit from English exposure.
How does my child get the result?
Results are published on the MSCE Pune website. Schools also receive bulk results. The school NMMS coordinator typically distributes individual marksheets and certificates.
Are there any reservation/quotas?
The exam is open to all eligible students. There are district-wise and category-wise (SC/ST/OBC/Open) seat allocations for the actual scholarship awards, ensuring representation across Maharashtra.
Practice for PUP & PSS — Free, Now
EkXam offers 10 full-length practice papers — 5 for PUP (English) and 5 for PSS (Marathi) — with detailed answer explanations for every question. Designed for self-study scholarship aspirants from rural and urban Maharashtra.
Register Free & Start Practising →About EkXam.com
EkXam was founded specifically to support students preparing for Maharashtra State Scholarship exams (PUP and PSS). We started with these exams because many students in rural Maharashtra lack access to coaching or quality study material. Today our platform has expanded to cover NEET, MPSC, SSC CGL, and NMMS — but our roots are in scholarship exam preparation. Our 10 PUP/PSS papers are produced in 4 mediums and include detailed answer explanations for every question. Everything we offer is and will remain completely free.