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 1–10) 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
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.