National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 — Scholarships, Eligibility & How to Apply
Main scholarships on the NSP
| Scholarship | For | Indicative benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | Classes 9–10 (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS as notified) | Maintenance + admission/tuition support |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | Class 11 to PG (SC/ST/OBC/Minority) | Tuition + maintenance allowance |
| Merit-cum-Means (Minority) | Professional/technical UG & PG | Course fee + maintenance |
| Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) | College students in top 20 percentile of Class 12 | ₹12,000/yr (UG), ₹20,000/yr (PG) |
Indicative — exact amounts, eligibility and income ceilings are set by each scheme's notification for the year. State scholarships on the portal are additional.
Who is eligible
- Indian students enrolled in a recognised school, college or institution.
- Family income below the ceiling set by the specific scheme (varies per scheme).
- Category / merit conditions per scheme — e.g. CSSS needs top-20-percentile Class 12 marks; category schemes need a valid caste/community certificate.
- A valid bank account linked to Aadhaar for Direct Benefit Transfer.
Documents you'll need
- Aadhaar number (and Aadhaar-linked bank account).
- Previous year's marksheet.
- Income certificate (from the competent authority).
- Caste / community certificate, if applying under a category scheme.
- Bonafide student certificate / admission proof and fee receipt.
How to apply — step by step
- Go to scholarships.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) — this gives you a permanent registration ID.
- Log in, select the scholarship(s) you're eligible for, and fill the application.
- Upload the required documents and submit before the deadline.
- Get your application verified by your institute (and the district/state authority) — track the status on the portal.
- On approval, the amount is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account (DBT).
Key dates and renewal
The NSP application window usually opens around July–August and closes by October–November, followed by institute and state verification. Renewal applicants (continuing a multi-year scholarship) must reapply each year to keep receiving the benefit — the renewal window runs alongside the fresh-application window. Always confirm exact dates on the portal, as they shift year to year.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Scholarship Portal?
The National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) is a single-window online platform run by the Government of India where students apply for central and participating state government scholarships, upload documents, and receive approved amounts by Direct Benefit Transfer to their Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Who can apply for NSP scholarships?
Indian students enrolled in recognised institutions whose family income is within the scheme's ceiling and who meet its category or merit conditions. Each scheme (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means, Central Sector, and state schemes) has its own eligibility set out in its yearly notification.
When does the NSP application close?
The window typically opens around July–August and closes by October–November, after which institutes and state authorities verify applications. Exact dates change every year, so confirm them on scholarships.gov.in.
How much is the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship?
The Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) pays eligible college students in the top 20 percentile of their Class 12 board roughly ₹12,000 per year at undergraduate level and ₹20,000 per year at postgraduate level, subject to the scheme's income ceiling and conditions.
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