NSP Scholarship Portal 2026: Check Eligibility, Application Status, Award
Check required documents, OTR registration, application process, renewal rules, and scholarship amount for Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Top-Class.
National Scholarship Portal is a central online platform that provides students with the facility to apply for scholarships. The Government of India runs it.
Its purpose is to provide financial support to students. This scholarship is available to students from the first class to the PhD level.
- Combines different scholarship schemes on a single platform
- No need to apply for different scholarships separately
- Helps prevent fake applications
- Various ministries and departments provide scholarships
It is a fully digital process that covers all steps, including registration, form filling, document uploading, verification, and amount withdrawal, on one platform. Through this system, you save both time and avoid errors.
Due to the economic crisis, millions of students are forced to drop out of school. This scholarship is undoubtedly a blessing for them. It not only reduces the burden of tuition fees but also provides support in other areas such as books, stationery, hostel accommodation, transportation, and other educational expenses.
The NSP portal is available for students at every stage, including school, college, technical courses, professional degrees, research programmes, and special category schemes.
Important Dates for 2025-26
Mark your calendar for these crucial deadlines
Fresh Application Start
Portal opens for new scholarship applications
Renewal Window
Existing scholarship holders can renew their applications
Last Date to Apply
Final deadline for submitting scholarship applications
Verification / Correction Deadline
Last date for document verification and corrections
National Scholarship Application Process
Complete NSP Scholarship 2025-26 process including One Time Registration (OTR), Aadhaar authentication, and application steps
OTR Registration
Download ‘NSP OTR’ app from Play Store. Complete registration with mobile OTP and eKYC using Aadhaar face authentication using ‘AadhaarFaceRD’ app.
Portal Login
Visit official NSP website. Click ‘Apply For Scholarship’ and enter OTR ID with password, image captcha, and security pin.
Application Form
Fill detailed form with personal, academic, and scheme-specific information. Choose domicile state carefully (cannot be changed later).
Document Upload
Upload required documents (PDF/JPG, 20KB-500KB). Include marksheets, certificates, income proof, and fee receipts.
Final Submission
Review all details carefully and submit. Print application form for institutional submission and attach required documents.
Track Status
Monitor application through ‘My Application’ section. Follow up with nodal officers if verification is delayed.
Important Notice: You will not be able to make any changes once you start filling in the form. Read it carefully twice and save it as a draft. Withdrawal is the only option available after submission.
Some options may change according to your selected state, but the process remains the same for all students.
This is the complete NSP Scholarship 2025-26 process, including One Time Registration (OTR), Aadhaar face authentication, document requirements, fresh vs. renewal rules, withdrawal options, payment tracking, eligibility, application issues, and payments.
OTR is mandatory before starting the scholarship procedure. Let’s make this easy for you by following the steps one by one.
Download the app ‘NSP OTR’ from the Play Store and install it on your mobile phone. Open it and allow the necessary permissions.
It will show you four options. If you have already completed registration, log in. If you are new, click on ‘Registration’.
Read the guidelines and check the boxes. Type your mobile number and click on ‘Send OTP’. You will receive an OTP; paste it in the given box, enter the captcha, and click on the ‘Verify’ button.
Next, you need to complete E-KYC. You can do this using your Aadhaar card number. Enter your Aadhaar card number and click on the ‘Next’ button.
You must have another app on your mobile phone. Install ‘AadhaarFaceRD’, open it, and perform face authentication. It will capture your face for identity verification. Once completed, your eKYC will be successfully done, and it will display your bank name.
Next, enter your details, including your mother’s and father’s names, and your email ID. Your OTR registration will be completed. Save this OTR ID.
Open any browser, search for ‘SSP Scholarship’, and visit the official website. Scroll down the homepage and click on the ‘View More’ option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘The portal is open for one-time registration for students’.
Click on the ‘Apply For Scholarship’ button, and it will ask you to enter your OTR ID and password. Then, enter the image captcha and security pin.
Click on ‘Apply Fresh’ and read all notifications carefully. Check the boxes and proceed by clicking on the ‘I Agree’ button.
Here, you will need to follow the next steps.
Domicile State
Scholarship Category
Application Type
Once the domicile state is selected, it cannot be changed, so choose it carefully.
If you are a pre-matric student, choose the Pre-Matric Scholarship; for students above matric, choose Post-Matric, Top Class, or MCM.
NSP Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Students need to fulfill the basic requirements to be eligible for a scholarship. This scheme is not available for fake or unregistered institutions.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for SC/ST Students
| Scheme Name | Eligibility (Category / Income Limit) |
|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship | For SC category students from Class XI to PhD level. Family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year. |
| Top Class Education Scheme | For SC students in top colleges like IITs, AIIMS, NIRF Top 100 institutes. |
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability
| Scheme Name | Eligibility (Disability / Income Limit) |
|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Disabled Students | Class IX–X students with 40% disability. Family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year. |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Disabled Students | Class XI to Post-Doctoral students with 40% disability. Family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year. |
Ministry of Minority Affairs
| Scheme Name | Eligibility (Income Limit) |
|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship | For Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi students. Family income ≤ ₹2 lakh/year. |
| Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship | For Technical/Professional courses, family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/year. |
Department of Higher Education
| Scheme Name | Eligibility (Academic/Income Limit) |
|---|---|
| Central Sector Scholarships | Students in top 20 percentile of Class XII boards. Family income ≤ ₹4.5 lakh/year. |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship | NMMS-qualified Class VIII students in Govt/Govt-aided schools. Family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh/year. |
AICTE Schemes (For Technical & Engineering Students)
| Scheme Name | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| AICTE Pragati (for Girl Students) | Girls enrolled in AICTE-approved Degree/Diploma courses; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh/year. |
| AICTE Saksham (for Specially-Abled Students) | Students with 40% disability enrolled in AICTE-approved Degree/Diploma courses; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh/year. |
Who Can Apply for NSP Scholarship 2025–26?
Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for NSP Scholarship 2025-26
Pre-Matric
Students studying from Class 1 to Class 10
Age: 6-14 yearsPost-Matric
Students studying in Class 11, 12 and equivalent
Class 11-12Undergraduate
Students pursuing Bachelor’s Degree courses
BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, etc.Postgraduate
Students pursuing Master’s Degree courses
MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, etc.Professional Courses
Engineering, Medical, Law, Management, etc.
AICTE/UGC approvedPhD / Research
Students pursuing Doctoral and Research programs
M.Phil, PhDBasic Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a citizen of India
- Family income as per scheme limits (₹2.5L – ₹8L)
- Minimum 50-60% marks in last examination
- Studying in recognized educational institution
- Not availing any other central scholarship
Category-wise Eligibility
- SC/ST/OBC: Valid caste certificate required
- Minority: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi
- EWS: Income certificate from competent authority
- Divyangjan: Disability certificate (40% or more)
- General: EWS category with income below ₹8L
Family Income Limits
Up to ₹2.5 Lakh
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC/Minority
Up to ₹4.5 Lakh
Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) for General/EWS
Up to ₹8 Lakh
Top Class Education & Premium Institutes
NSP Scholarship Amount Structure 2026
| Level / Category | Approx. Amount (Per Year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric (Class 1–10) | ₹1,000 – ₹10,000 | Amount varies by scheme (SC/ST/OBC, Minority, etc.) |
| Post-Matric / UG / PG | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 | Course-based variation: higher courses may get slightly more |
| Professional Courses | Up to ₹50,000 | Applies to AICTE / UGC regulated courses |
| SC / ST / OBC | Varies | Depends entirely on course + scheme type |
| Minority Category | Varies | Based on Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, or MCM scheme |
| EWS Students | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 | Typically falls in this range |
Documents Required for NSP 2026
Keep these documents ready before starting your application
Aadhaar Card
With linked mobile number
Bank Passbook
In student’s name
Income Certificate
Family income proof
Caste / Minority Certificate
For SC/ST/OBC/Minority candidates
Previous Exam Marksheets
Last academic year results
Bonafide Certificate
Institute verification form
Admission Receipt
Current course proof
Domicile Certificate
For state schemes
Passport-size Photo
Recent photograph
Disability Certificate
If needed
How to check NSP scholarship Application Status
You will now receive an email related to your district or State Nodal Officer. You can send a personalised email to request approval for your application.
Types of NSP Scholarships Available
The NSP Scholarship Portal provides different kinds of scholarships. Most students are not aware of which scheme is suitable for them.
Central Government Schemes
Ministry-based scholarships for nationwide coverage
- Ministry-based Schemes Launched by Ministries of Minority Affairs, Social Justice, Tribal Affairs, Labour, and Education
- Primary Objective Support students from lower-income groups across India
- Coverage Pre-Metric, Post-Metric, and Top-Class scholarships
- Funding Source Central government funds distributed nationwide
Key Ministries Involved
State Government Schemes
Region-specific scholarships based on state policies
- State-specific Focus Each state designs schemes based on its policies, budget, and needs
- Education Level Focus varies – some states emphasize Pre-Metric, others higher education
- Residency Requirement Only residents of a particular state can apply; others automatically rejected
- Target Groups Available for Minorities, SC, ST, OBC, and General Category
Eligible Categories
UGC/AICTE Scholarships
Higher education and technical course scholarships
- Target Audience University students in higher education programs
- Coverage Scope Post-Graduation, Research, Professional and Non-Professional Graduation
- Technical Focus AICTE: Engineering, Polytechnic, Management, Technical Education
- Special Focus Groups Female students, children of widows, lower-income families
Priority Groups
Quick Comparison of NSP Scholarship Types
| Feature | Central Schemes | State Schemes | UGC/AICTE Schemes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Body | Central Ministries | State Governments | UGC / AICTE |
| Geographic Coverage | All India | State-specific only | All India |
| Residency Requirement | No restriction | State domicile mandatory | No restriction |
| Education Level | Pre-Metric to PhD | Varies by state | Graduation & above |
| Target Groups | Economically weaker sections | Residents of the state | University students |
| Special Focus | Minorities, SC/ST/OBC | State priority categories | Technical education, Females |
The Most Common Students Mistakes
Students make many mistakes while applying for the scholarship. Due to these mistakes, their applications are rejected. Avoid these common errors to ensure your application is successful.
Application & Documentation Errors
- 1 Apply to the wrong scheme
- 2 Upload ambiguous or wrong documents
- 3 Fill the half form (incomplete application)
- 4 Add fake or wrong information
- 5 Submit wrong caste certificate
Verification & Timing Errors
- 6 Apply on the last date (server overload)
- 7 Do not take institution verification seriously
- 8 Do not review the form before submission
- 9 Not correcting defects on time
- 10 Not tracking application status
Technical & Financial Errors
- 11 Bank account and Aadhaar name do not match
- 12 Add inactive bank account
- 13 Write the wrong email or Mobile Number
- 14 Applying for more than one scheme
Contact & Support
Official NSP contact details for assistance
Quick Contact
Toll-Free Helpline
0120-6619540
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily (except govt holidays)Email Support
helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
Reply in 2–3 working daysOfficial Website
scholarships.gov.in
For application and status checkOther Contact Channels
Grievance Redressal
NSP Grievance Portal or dbtsupport@maharashtra.gov.in
CSC Support
Nearest Common Service Centre (Fee: ₹10–₹50)
Official App
‘NSP OTR’ on Google Play Store
