Central SchemeAll IndiaStudents & Education

Last Updated: 10 Oct 2026 Official Source

National Scholarship Portal (NSP - Post-Matric & Merit-cum-Means)

One-stop national portal for Central and State government pre-matric and higher education scholarships.

Ministry: Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education & Department of School Education and Literacy)

Verified Government GatewayDomain: scholarships.gov.in

Apply Directly on the Official Portal

Clicking the button below will open the authorized Government of India / State portal for NSP Scholarships in a new tab. Never submit personal documents or pay fees on unverified third-party websites.

Apply on Official Website

Official Portal Verified

Scheme Overview

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the flagship digital initiative by the Government of India that facilitates end-to-end scholarship delivery to millions of deserving students. It hosts diverse Central Sector Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and UGC/AICTE schemes. Scholarship funds are remitted directly to the student's verified bank account via DBT using the One-Time Registration (OTR) system.

Target Beneficiaries

Students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority, EWS, and Meritorious backgrounds

Assistance / Benefit Type

Direct Scholarship Grant

Key Benefits & Financial Assistance

Full or partial tuition fee reimbursement paid directly to the institution or student.
Monthly maintenance allowances ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 for hostellers and day scholars.
Special disability allowances and reader allowances for Divyangjan students.
Transparent tracking via NSP Portal and UMANG integration without bureaucratic delays.

Eligibility Criteria

Ensure you satisfy all the following government conditions before applying:

1Must be an Indian student studying in a recognized school, college, polytechnic, or university.
2Minimum 50% marks in previous final examination for merit-cum-means and post-matric criteria.
3Annual parental/guardian income must not exceed scheme-specific caps (generally ₹2.5 Lakh for SC/ST, ₹2 Lakh for Minority, ₹4.5 Lakh for the Central Sector Scheme for College & University Students).
4Student must hold an individual bank account seeded with their own Aadhaar number.

Documents Required Checklist

Keep clear digital scanned copies (PDF or JPG under 200 KB) ready:

Aadhaar Card (linked with mobile number for NSP OTR registration)

Current Year Institutional Bonafide Certificate

Previous Year Marksheet / Passing Certificate

Income Certificate issued by competent revenue authority (Tehsildar / SDO)

Caste / Category Certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC quota)

Bank Account Passbook showing student's name and IFSC

How to Apply (Official Process)

Generate One-Time Registration (OTR)

Visit scholarships.gov.in and download the NSP OTR app or register online using your Aadhaar Face RD verification.

Login with OTR ID

Use your newly generated 14-digit OTR number and password to log in to the student dashboard.

Fill Application Form

Select scheme name, enter academic details (AISHE college code, course, year), and upload required documents.

Institutional Verification

Submit form online. Your school or college Nodal Officer verifies your bonafide status on their institutional portal.

State/Ministry Approval & DBT Credit

After District and State Nodal Officer approval, funds are sanctioned and released directly via PFMS into your bank account.

Proceed to Official Registration Portal

Frequently Asked Questions about NSP Scholarships

Can I receive two scholarships simultaneously on NSP?

No. Under Government of India rules, a student can avail only one scholarship for the same course of study from government sources.

What is the new NSP OTR requirement introduced in 2024-2025?

NSP now requires a unique One-Time Registration (OTR) number generated through Aadhaar face authentication to prevent ghost or duplicate applications.

Scheme Factsheet

Classification:

Central Government Scheme

Applicable Region:

All India

Target Category:

Students & Education

Maximum Benefit:

₹75,000

Application Timeline:

The portal usually opens around June each year. For 2026-27 most post-matric and merit scholarships close on 31 October 2026 (pre-matric closed 30 September). Deadlines differ by scheme, so check scholarships.gov.in.

Verified Government Sources

Official Portal Website:https://scholarships.gov.in

Direct Application Link:https://scholarships.gov.in

Official Helpline:

0120-6619540

Official Email Support:

helpdesk@nsp.gov.in

Open Official Portal

Citizen Advisory

Never pay money to agents promising guaranteed approval for NSP Scholarships. Government welfare registrations are strictly handled through official channels.