National Scholarship Portal — How to Apply for Government Scholarships Online

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is a one-stop platform by the Government of India where students can search, apply, and track government scholarships online. Every year, crores of students receive scholarship money directly in their bank accounts through NSP.

This guide covers everything — which scholarships are available, who is eligible, what documents you need, and how to apply step by step.

What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)?

NSP is a centralized digital platform launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) under the National e-Governance Plan. It brings together scholarships offered by:

• Central Government ministries (Social Justice, Minority Affairs, Tribal Affairs, HRD, Defence, etc.)
• State Governments and UTs

Key features:

• Single application for multiple scholarships
• Aadhaar-based verification and face authentication
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) — money goes straight to your bank account
• One Time Registration (OTR) number valid for your entire academic career
• Services also available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) for ₹30

Major Scholarships Available on NSP

Note: Exact amounts and schemes may change each academic year. Always check the latest details on scholarships.gov.in.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship, but common criteria include:

• Nationality: Indian citizen
• Category: SC / ST / OBC / Minority / General (varies by scheme)
• Family Income: Usually below ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh per annum (varies by scheme)
• Education Level: Class 1 to PhD level depending on the scheme
• Minimum Marks: Some schemes require 50%+ or 60%+ in previous exam
• Age: No upper age limit for most schemes, but some professional course scholarships have limits
• Domicile: Some state scholarships require domicile of that state
• Not availing other scholarship: Most schemes require that you are not receiving another government scholarship simultaneously

Quick Eligibility Check:

• Pre-Matric → Students in Class 1–10, family income usually below ₹2.5 lakh
• Post-Matric → Students in Class 11 and above, family income usually below ₹2.5 lakh
• Merit-cum-Means → Minority students in professional courses, income below ₹2.5 lakh
• Central Sector → Top 20% in Class 12 board exam, income below ₹8 lakh
• PM Scholarship → Wards/widows of defence personnel, CAPF, Assam Rifles

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before starting your application:

1. Aadhaar Card (mandatory for OTR generation)
2. Bank Passbook (front page with account number, IFSC, and name — account must be Aadhaar-seeded)
3. Income Certificate (issued by Tehsildar/SDM, usually valid for 1 year)
4. Caste/Community Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/Minority certificate from competent authority)
5. Domicile Certificate (for state-specific scholarships)
6. Previous Year Marksheet (Class 10/12/last semester)
7. Current Year Admission/Bonafide Certificate
8. Fee Receipt of current academic year
9. Passport-size Photograph (recent, white background)
10. Self-declaration (if applicable, for income/non-creamy layer)

For Renewal Applications:

• Updated marksheet of previous year
• Updated income certificate (if expired)
• Current year fee receipt and bonafide certificate

Tip: Scan all documents in advance. Keep file sizes below 200 KB (PDF/JPEG). The portal rejects oversized uploads.

How to Apply Online — Step by Step

Step 1: Generate Your OTR (One Time Registration)

From AY 2024-25 onwards, NSP requires a One Time Registration (OTR) number before you can apply for any scholarship.

1. Go to scholarships.gov.in/otrapplication
2. Click on "New Registration"
3. Enter your Aadhaar number (or Aadhaar Enrollment ID if Aadhaar is pending)
4. Complete face authentication using the NSP OTR App (download from Google Play Store)
5. Your OTR number will be generated — save it safely, it is valid for your entire academic career

Important: Make sure your Aadhaar biometrics are unlocked before face authentication. Check status on mAadhaar app or myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.

Step 2: Log in to NSP

1. Go to scholarships.gov.in
2. Click on "Applicant Corner" → "New Application"
3. Log in using your OTR number

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

1. Personal Details: Name (as in Aadhaar), date of birth, gender, category, religion, mobile number, email
2. Academic Details: Current course, institution name (select from dropdown — institution must be registered on NSP), previous qualification and marks
3. Scheme Selection: Choose the scholarship you are eligible for
4. Bank Details: Account number, IFSC code, bank name (account must be in student's name and Aadhaar-linked)

Step 4: Upload Documents

1. Upload scanned copies of all required documents
2. Ensure each file is within the size limit (usually 200 KB, PDF or JPEG)
3. Double-check that documents are legible

Step 5: Submit the Application

1. Review all details carefully
2. Click "Final Submit"
3. Note down your Application ID for future reference
4. Take a printout of the submitted application

After submission, you cannot edit the application. Make sure everything is correct before final submit.

How to Renew Your Scholarship

If you received a scholarship last year and are continuing your studies, you need to apply for renewal (not fresh application).

1. Log in to NSP using your OTR number
2. Click on "Renewal Application"
3. Your previous details will be pre-filled
4. Update: current year academic details, new marksheet, new fee receipt, income certificate (if expired)
5. Submit the renewal application
6. Get it verified by your institute

Renewal deadlines are strict. If you miss the deadline, you lose the scholarship for that year.

How to Check Application Status

1. Go to scholarships.gov.in
2. Click on "Applicant Corner" → "Check Your Status" (or log in with OTR)
3. Enter your Application ID or OTR number
4. Your current status will show — possible statuses:
   • Submitted — Application received
   • Pending at Institute — Waiting for institute verification
   • Verified by Institute — Sent to district/state for approval
   • Pending at District/State — Under review
   • Sanctioned — Approved, payment will be processed
   • Disbursed — Money transferred to your bank account
   • Rejected — Application rejected (reason will be shown)

Institute & District Verification Process

Your application goes through a multi-level verification:

Level 1 — Institute Verification

• Your college/school verifies your enrollment, attendance, fee details, and documents
• The institute's NSP nodal officer logs in and approves/rejects applications
• Timeline: Usually 15–30 days after student submission

Level 2 — District Verification

• District-level officers verify income, caste, and domicile certificates
• They cross-check with government records
• Timeline: 15–30 days after institute verification

Level 3 — State/Ministry Sanctioning

• Final approval by the concerned state department or central ministry
• Scholarship amount is sanctioned and sent for DBT payment

How DBT Payment Works

• Scholarship money is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via PFMS (Public Financial Management System)
• Ensure your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar (check with your bank or use NPCI BASE platform)
• Payment usually reaches within 15–30 days after sanctioning

If payment is stuck: Check if your Aadhaar is linked to your bank account. Visit pfms.nic.in to track payment status.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Name mismatch — Your name on Aadhaar, bank account, and marksheet must match exactly
2. Aadhaar not linked to bank — DBT payment will fail if your bank account is not Aadhaar-seeded
3. Wrong bank details — Double-check account number and IFSC code
4. Uploading blurry documents — Scan clearly, keep within size limits
5. Missing institute verification — Follow up with your college's NSP nodal officer
6. Applying under wrong scheme — Read eligibility carefully before selecting a scheme
7. Missing deadlines — NSP deadlines are firm; late applications are not accepted
8. Biometric locked in Aadhaar — Unlock biometrics before face authentication via mAadhaar app
9. Not saving OTR number — You need it for every future login and renewal
10. Applying on duplicate portals — Only use scholarships.gov.in — beware of fake websites

Grievance Redressal

If you face issues with your scholarship application:

1. NSP Helpdesk: Call 0120-6619540 (Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM)
2. Email: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
3. Grievance Portal: Use the grievance section on scholarships.gov.in
4. CPGRAMS: For escalated complaints, file on pgportal.gov.in
5. CSC Centers: Visit a nearby Common Service Centre for in-person help — locate one at locator.csccloud.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is OTR and why is it needed?

OTR (One Time Registration) is a unique registration number generated using Aadhaar-based face authentication. From AY 2024-25, it is mandatory for all scholarship applications on NSP. One OTR is valid for your entire academic career.

2. Can I apply for more than one scholarship on NSP?

Generally, no. You can apply for only one scholarship at a time on NSP. If you are already receiving a government scholarship, you cannot apply for another one simultaneously.

3. What if my Aadhaar name is different from my marksheet?

Get the name corrected in either your Aadhaar (via UIDAI) or your educational records before applying. Name mismatch is the most common reason for rejection.

4. How long does it take to receive the scholarship money?

After final sanctioning, the amount is usually disbursed within 15–30 days via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked bank account. The entire process from application to disbursement can take 3–6 months.

5. What should I do if my application is rejected?

Check the rejection reason on the portal. Common reasons include income exceeding the limit, name mismatch, or incomplete documents. You can re-apply in the next cycle after correcting the issue.

6. Can I apply through a mobile phone?

Yes, you can access NSP through a mobile browser. For OTR generation, download the NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store for face authentication.

7. Is there any fee to apply on NSP?

No. Applying on NSP is completely free. If you visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) for assistance, the charge is ₹30 for the entire process.

8. When do NSP applications usually open?

Applications typically open between August and October each year for the current academic year. Renewal windows may differ. Check scholarships.gov.in regularly for exact dates.

Key Deadlines to Remember

Pro Tip: Apply as early as possible. Don't wait for the last date — the portal gets slow and crashes near deadlines.

Summary

The National Scholarship Portal makes it easy for students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and economically weaker sections to access government scholarships. The key steps are:

1. Generate your OTR using Aadhaar face authentication
2. Log in and fill the application with correct details
3. Upload documents and submit
4. Ensure your institute verifies your application
5. Track your status and wait for DBT disbursement

Apply early, keep your documents ready, and follow up with your institute. Scholarship money is your right — claim it!

For the latest updates, always visit the official portal: scholarships.gov.in