Ministry of Education, Government of India
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026-27
Objective
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) brings all central and state government scholarships under one digital roof. So that eligible students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and EBC backgrounds can apply once and get access to multiple schemes without running to different portals.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Jain), and EBC categories
- Applicable from pre-matric (Class 1 to 10) to post-matric and post-doctoral levels
- Must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) and link Aadhaar
- Family income limit varies by scheme. Typically ₹1 lakh to ₹6 lakh per annum
- Must be studying in a recognised school, college, or institution
Benefits & Features
- 1Access to 50+ central and state scholarship schemes through a single portal
- 2Scholarship amounts vary by scheme. From ₹500/month to ₹20,000/year and above
- 3One-Time Registration (OTR) gives a 14-digit lifelong Student ID. No re-registration every year
- 4Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Money goes directly to student's Aadhaar-linked bank account
- 5Minority scholarships, merit scholarships, and disability scholarships all accessible
Required Documents
- Aadhaar card (mandatory for OTR)
- Bank account linked to Aadhaar (for DBT)
- Caste/community certificate (SC/ST/OBC/Minority proof)
- Income certificate issued by competent authority
- Previous year mark sheet / bonafide certificate
- Domicile/residence certificate
- Passport-size photograph
How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can I apply for more than one scholarship on NSP? | Yes. From AY 2026-27, students can apply for one merit-based scheme plus one or more welfare-based schemes. As long as they meet the eligibility for each. |
| I registered last year. Do I need to register again? | No. The OTR system gives a lifelong Student ID. Just log in with your existing credentials for 2026-27. |
| What is the last date to apply on NSP for 2026-27? | October 31, 2026 is the last date for most central scholarship schemes. Some state schemes may have earlier deadlines. Always check the individual scheme page on the portal. |
| NSP application got rejected. What should I do? | Log in to your NSP dashboard, check the rejection reason, correct the details or upload the missing document, and resubmit before the deadline. |
Official Portal & Helpline
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1What Is the National Scholarship Portal?
If you're a student from SC, ST, OBC, Minority, or EBC background and you've been confused about which scholarship to apply for and where. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) was built to solve exactly that problem.
Launched by the Ministry of Education, NSP is India's single-window scholarship platform that brings together 50+ central and state government scholarship schemes. Instead of visiting five different portals, you register once, get a permanent 14-digit Student ID through the One-Time Registration (OTR) system, and access all eligible scholarships from your dashboard.
For AY 2026-27, the portal opened on June 1, 2026. The last date to apply is October 31, 2026.
2The OTR System. A Game Changer for 2026-27
The biggest change NSP introduced is the One-Time Registration (OTR) system. Here's why it matters:
- You register once using your Aadhaar
- You get a permanent 14-digit Student ID
- Every year, you just log in. No fresh registration
- Your details (name, Aadhaar, bank account) are pre-filled
NSP services are also available at your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) for students who face issues with online registration. The fee at CSC is fixed at ₹30 per candidate for the complete registration process.
3Which Scholarships Can You Apply For?
NSP hosts three categories of scholarships:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Merit-Based | Central Sector Scheme (Class 12 toppers), INSPIRE |
| Welfare-Based | Pre-Matric, Post-Matric for SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC |
| Professional | Top Class Education for SC/ST, PM YASHASVI |
From 2026-27, you can apply for one merit-based + one or more welfare-based schemes simultaneously. As long as you meet the eligibility for each.
4Step-by-Step Guide to Apply in 2026
- Go to scholarships.gov.in
- Click New Registration → choose your academic level
- Enter Aadhaar number → verify via OTP or biometric
- Complete the OTR form. You get your 14-digit Student ID
- Log in → go to Application Form → select the scholarship scheme
- Fill academic and bank details → upload documents
- Submit → note your application reference number
If you face Face Authentication errors (Error 904), update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store.
5Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Bank account not linked to Aadhaar (most common rejection reason)
- Aadhaar biometric locked. Unlock it at uidai.gov.in before applying
- Uploading blurry or incorrect documents
- Applying past the last date (portal closes at midnight on October 31)
- Choosing a scheme you're not eligible for
6Helpline & Support
For any issue with registration or application, call 0120-6619540 or email helpdesk@nsp.gov.in. The portal also has a live chat assistant called VANI.