National Scholarship Portal (NSP) — One Time Registration and Application, Step by Step
How to apply on the National Scholarship Portal: One Time Registration (OTR) with Aadhaar and face authentication, documents, and mistakes to avoid.
To apply on the National Scholarship Portal, first get your One Time Registration (OTR) number using your Aadhaar and face authentication, then log in, choose your scheme, fill the form and upload documents, and get your school or college to verify it. OTR is mandatory from the 2025-26 academic year. Here is each step, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
Step 1: One Time Registration (OTR)
- Install the NSP OTR app and the Aadhaar FaceRD app on an Android phone (or start OTR on scholarships.gov.in).
- Enter your mobile number and Aadhaar (or Aadhaar Enrolment ID) and verify with the OTPs.
- Fill basic details exactly as on Aadhaar — name, date of birth, gender.
- Complete face authentication in the app. No external device is needed.
- Note your 14-digit OTR number — you will use it for every scholarship application from now on.
Step 2: Apply for your scheme
- Log in on scholarships.gov.in with your OTR number.
- Complete your profile — address, education details, bank details.
- Choose the scheme that matches your category and class.
- Upload documents in the format and size the portal asks for.
- Submit and save the application acknowledgement.
- Institute verification — your school or college verifies the application online; then the district/state and the ministry verify it.
- Track status on the portal. Money is paid by direct benefit transfer to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
Renewing an existing scholarship? Log in with the same OTR and fill the renewal form each year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Name mismatch — your name must match across Aadhaar, bank account and marksheet.
- Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded — the account must be in the student's name and linked to Aadhaar for DBT.
- Institute never verified it — follow up with your school or college before their deadline, which is earlier than yours.
- Old income certificate — use one issued by the authorised authority within the period the scheme accepts.
- Waiting for the last day — the portal slows down near deadlines. Apply early.
Which scholarships are on NSP?
- Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students (some states run these on their own portals instead) — see our SC/ST guide and minority guide
- NMMS (Class 9–12)
- Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for college students (PM-USP)
- Several state scholarships — others use their own state portals
Keep your marks up for renewal
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Start freeNSP's process changes from year to year. Always follow the latest instructions and FAQs on scholarships.gov.in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Scholarship Portal?
NSP (scholarships.gov.in) is the government's single portal for scholarships run by central ministries — such as pre- and post-matric scholarships, NMMS and the Central Sector Scheme — and for some state schemes.
What is NSP OTR?
One Time Registration (OTR) is a 14-digit number issued against your Aadhaar (or Aadhaar Enrolment ID). It stays valid for your whole academic career, so you don't register again every year. OTR is mandatory for applying on NSP from the 2025-26 academic year.
What documents do I need?
Aadhaar (or Aadhaar Enrolment ID) with a linked mobile number, a bank account in the student's name that is Aadhaar-seeded for direct benefit transfer, income certificate, caste/community certificate if the scheme needs it, previous year's marksheet, fee receipt where required, and a photo. Uploads must be small files — the portal lists the size limit for each.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Most central schemes let you receive only one government scholarship at a time. Read each scheme's rules on NSP before applying, and pick the one that suits you best.
When does NSP open?
Usually around June–July, with deadlines in the autumn that are often extended. Dates differ by scheme, so check the portal's notice board.