National Scholarship Portal: How to Apply Step by Step

Apply for National Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships to access Central and State government scholarships in India. Register on scholarships.gov.in, upload required documents, and submit before the last date to avoid rejection.

What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)?

The National Scholarship Portal is a single-window online system run by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It hosts more than 120 scholarship schemes worth over ₹3,500 crore every year. Students from Class 11 to postgraduate levels can apply for merit-based, means-based, and category-based scholarships without visiting government offices. The portal also disburses funds directly into bank accounts via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

How to apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) step by step

Follow these steps to apply for National Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships in 2026:

Step 1: Check eligibility for NSP scholarships

Eligibility depends on the specific scheme. Common rules include:

• Must be a citizen of India
• Must belong to notified categories (SC, ST, OBC, EBC, minority) or meet income criteria
• Must be enrolled in a recognised school, college, or university in India
• Must have passed the previous qualifying exam with minimum marks (50% for most post-matric schemes)
• Must not be receiving any other scholarship of equal or higher value for the same period

For example, the “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students” requires an annual family income ≤ ₹8 lakh, at least 80% marks in Class 12, and admission to a regular degree course in India.

Step 2: Gather required documents for NSP

Have the following ready in PDF or JPEG, each ≤ 200 KB:

• Aadhaar card (mandatory for all applicants)
• Bank passbook first page showing IFSC code and account number
• Caste certificate issued by competent authority (SC/ST/OBC)
• Income certificate issued by revenue authority (valid for 1 year)
• Previous qualifying exam marksheet (self-attested)
• Passport-size photograph (≤ 50 KB)
• Admission letter or bonafide certificate from the current institution
• Disability certificate, if applicable

Step 3: Register a new account on NSP 2026

1. Open https://scholarships.gov.in/ and click “New Registration” on the top menu.
2. Select “Student” from the three user types.
3. Enter Aadhaar number and verify via OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
4. Fill basic details: name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email ID, and password.
5. Choose a security question and answer for future password recovery.
6. Click “Register”. You will receive a system-generated Application ID; note it down.

Step 4: Fill the NSP application form

1. Basic Info: Verify details auto-filled from Aadhaar (correct if mismatched). Add address, state, district, and pin code.
2. Academic Info: Enter class, board/university, year of passing, marks percentage, and roll number.
3. Scheme Selection: Search by category (SC, ST, OBC, Minority, etc.) and income. Read each scheme description and tick the one that matches your eligibility.
4. Institution Info: Type your college/university name; the portal will auto-suggest recognised institutions. Select the correct one to avoid rejection.
5. Bank Info: Re-enter IFSC code, account number, and confirm the name printed on the passbook. A wrong digit can cause payment failure.
6. Upload Documents: Attach all PDF/JPEG files one by one. Total size must not exceed 5 MB.
7. Preview & Submit: Check every field. Use the “Save as Draft” button to return later. Finally, click “Final Submit”. Once submitted, you cannot edit most fields.

Which scholarships can I apply for on NSP?

NSP offers four broad categories:

• Pre-matric (Classes 1–10) – for SC, ST, OBC, and minority students
• Post-matric (Class 11 onwards) – for SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and minority students
• Top-class for higher education – for SC, ST, and disabled students in top-ranked institutions
• Merit-cum-means – for minority and economically weaker students in professional courses

Each scheme has defined eligibility, such as family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh for SC/ST and ≤ ₹1 lakh for OBC, and minimum marks in the previous exam (usually 50%). Check the official NSP homepage for the latest list and links to each scheme.

What is the NSP application last date for 2026?

The official last dates for 2026 will be announced on the NSP homepage around August 2026. In 2025, the last dates were:

Check the official portal after 1 August 2026 for the updated 2026 schedule and set a reminder on your phone.

How do I track my NSP application status?

Log in to the portal and click “Application Status”. The system shows one of these stages:

• Pending at Institute – college yet to verify your details
• Verified – institute approved; sent to state/central agency
• Rejected – reason displayed; you can appeal within 30 days
• Payment Initiated – funds released to your bank account
• Disbursed – amount credited; check your passbook

If the status is stuck for more than 15 days at “Pending at Institute”, contact your college Nodal Officer or raise a grievance on the portal.

What are common mistakes that lead to NSP rejection?

• Mismatched Aadhaar – name, gender or date of birth does not match Aadhaar
• Wrong income certificate
• Incorrect IFSC or account number – causes payment failure
• Missing caste certificate for reserved category applicants
• Wrong institution code – college not recognised by UGC/AICTE
• Uploading expired documents – income certificate older than 1 year

Always preview and cross-check every field before final submission.

Can I edit or withdraw my NSP application?

Once you click “Final Submit”, most fields become locked. You can change the mobile number, email, and some academic details only during the application window by logging in with your Application ID and password. After the last date, no edits are allowed. If you wish to withdraw, send a request through the grievance portal and attach a written declaration; the amount, if already sanctioned, will be cancelled.

What happens after I am selected? What documents are needed for disbursement?

After selection, the portal sends an intimation to your registered mobile and email. You must submit:

• Self-attested copy of Aadhaar card
• Self-attested copy of first page of passbook
• Income certificate (if not already uploaded)
• Undertaking that you are not availing any other scholarship

Submit these to your institute within 15 days; the institute then forwards them to the state nodal agency. Disbursement takes 4–6 weeks from the date of final verification.

How do I reset my NSP password if I forget it?

1. On the login page, click “Forgot Password?”
2. Enter Application ID and registered mobile number/email.
3. OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
4. Create a new password and security question.

If you have changed your mobile number, contact the helpdesk at 0120-6619540 or raise a grievance on the portal.

What is the NSP helpline and grievance process?

Call the National Scholarship Helpline 0120-6619540 (Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.) or email helpdesk@nsp.gov.in. You can also lodge a grievance directly on the portal under “Services → Grievance → Register Grievance”. Provide the Application ID, scheme name, and clear description. Most grievances are resolved within 7–10 working days.

NSP vs other scholarship portals: which should I use?

Compare NSP with other popular scholarship platforms:

If you study in a state other than UP or WB, start with NSP to access the widest range of Central schemes.

Tips to increase chances of getting an NSP scholarship

• Apply within the first 15 days of the window; late applications get lower priority.
• Choose the scheme with the lowest applicant-to-scholar ratio; check past selection lists on the portal.
• Ensure 100% marksheet upload; missing marksheets are the top rejection reason.
• Keep your Aadhaar mobile number active; all OTPs go there.
• Update your bank passbook before uploading; mismatched IFSC causes 20% of payment failures.