The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is the Government of India's online window for applying to central scholarship schemes and the state schemes listed on it. It has been open for academic year 2026-27 since 1 June 2026, and student applications for the Central Sector schemes close on 31 October 2026. NSP does not pay anyone directly. Each scheme on it sets its own eligibility and amount.
Published 9 October 2026. Details checked against the NSP website on 13 October 2026. Dates can change at short notice, so confirm your scheme's date on the portal before you submit.
National Scholarship Portal 2026-27 at a glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Official website | scholarships.gov.in |
| Run by | Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| Academic year | 2026-27 |
| Portal opened | 1 June 2026 |
| Last date for students (Central Sector schemes) | 31 October 2026 |
| Institute verification and defective application window | Until 15 November 2026 |
| District, State or Ministry nodal officer verification | Until 30 November 2026 |
| Registration | One Time Registration (OTR), a 14-digit number created with Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID |
| Login options | Aadhaar, APAAR or OTR |
| Scheme limit | One merit-based scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes |
| Helpdesk | helpdesk@nsp.gov.in and 0120-6619540 (8 AM to 8 PM, except government holidays) |
What is the National Scholarship Portal?
NSP is a single online platform where students register once and apply to government scholarship schemes. It is not a scholarship in itself, so there is no separate "NSP amount" or "NSP eligibility". You apply to a scheme hosted on the portal, and that scheme decides who qualifies and what is paid.
The Schemes on NSP page has three tabs: Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored and State. Central Sector schemes are run directly by Union ministries and bodies such as AICTE, UGC, the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Centrally Sponsored schemes, which include several post matric schemes, are shared with state governments. State schemes appear only for states that have joined NSP. On 13 October 2026 the state filter listed 24 states and union territories, and Madhya Pradesh was not one of them. Students there apply through state portals, which our Madhya Pradesh government scholarship guide explains.
NSP also does not cover private and CSR scholarships from companies and foundations. Those run on their own portals and often close earlier, which is why our guide to scholarships in India 2026-27 is worth reading alongside this one.
Who is eligible to apply on NSP?
There is no single eligibility rule for NSP. Eligibility depends on the scheme, and usually turns on class or course, marks, family income, category, disability status, gender and state. The fastest way to check is the Scholarship Eligibility tool on NSP, which asks for details such as:
- Domicile state or union territory, gender and marital status
- Parent's annual income and profession
- Religion, community and disability status
- Institute, course and mode of study
- Percentage in your previous class
The tool then lists schemes you may be able to apply for. If a scheme you expected is missing, it also has a "Why am I not eligible for this scheme?" option that gives the reasons. Run this check before you start collecting documents.
Merit-based and welfare-based schemes: the 2026-27 rule
Every scheme on NSP is labelled either Merit Based or Welfare Based. From 2026-27, a student can apply for only one merit-based scheme in an academic year, fresh and renewal combined, and for more than one welfare-based scheme if eligible. NSP states this in its announcements and student FAQs.
| Type | Examples listed on NSP for 2026-27 | How many you can apply for |
|---|---|---|
| Merit based | PM-USP CSSS (renewal), National Means Cum Merit Scholarship, AICTE Pragati, PM YASASVI, UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies | One in an academic year |
| Welfare based | AICTE Swanath, AICTE Saksham, scholarships for students with disabilities, schemes for wards of beedi, cine and certain mine workers | One or more, if you are eligible |
In practice, choose your strongest merit scheme first and then add welfare schemes you genuinely qualify for. Read the Specifications PDF of each scheme before you stack awards. If you are unsure which type suits your profile, our guide to merit-based and need-based scholarships explains how the two differ.
National Scholarship Portal last date 2026-27
The last date for students is 31 October 2026 for every Central Sector scheme listed on NSP. Verification windows close later, and your application is not complete until those steps are done.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Portal opened for 2026-27 | 1 June 2026 |
| Student application closes (Central Sector schemes) | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application verification closes | 15 November 2026 |
| Institute verification closes | 15 November 2026 |
| District, State or Ministry nodal officer verification closes | 30 November 2026 |
Not every scheme opened on 1 June. Pre matric and post matric scholarships for students with disabilities opened on 25 July 2026, the Free Coaching scheme on 3 August 2026, and the UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies and Ishan Uday on 16 September 2026. All of them close on 31 October 2026.
Two cautions before you plan around these dates:
- Check your own scheme's entry. The table above reflects the Central Sector tab. Centrally Sponsored and State schemes show their own dates on each scheme's entry, so read the one that applies to you.
- Do not trust older dates on third-party pages. Some websites still show 30 September or 31 August for certain schemes. When a website and the NSP entry disagree, follow NSP.
Also remember that 31 October is only the student's deadline. Ask your institute's scholarship nodal officer in the first week of November to confirm that your application has been verified.
Which schemes can you apply for on NSP?
The Central Sector tab listed 31 schemes on 13 October 2026. The table below groups the main ones. NSP does not show one fixed amount, so open the Specifications PDF of your scheme to confirm the benefit.
| Ministry or body | Schemes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Higher Education | PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS), listed for renewal applications | Merit |
| Department of School Education and Literacy | National Means Cum Merit Scholarship | Merit |
| AICTE | Pragati for girl students (degree and diploma) | Merit |
| AICTE | Swanath and Saksham (degree and diploma) | Welfare |
| AICTE | PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, listed for renewal | Merit |
| UGC | National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies and Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for the North Eastern Region | Merit |
| Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (Backward Classes) | PM YASASVI Top Class Education in College for OBC, EBC and DNT students (fresh), and in Schools (renewal) | Merit |
| Department of Social Justice and Empowerment | Top Class Education for SC students | Merit |
| Department of Social Justice and Empowerment | Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and PM CARES beneficiaries | Welfare |
| Ministry of Tribal Affairs | National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students | Merit |
| Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities | Pre matric, post matric and top class scholarships for students with disabilities | Welfare |
| Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways | Prime Minister's Scholarship Schemes for wards of police, Central Armed Police Forces, Assam Rifles and railway personnel | Merit |
| Ministry of Labour and Employment | Education assistance for wards of beedi, cine and certain mine workers (pre and post matric) | Welfare |
| ICAR, MNRE, MoSPI and NEC | ICAR talent and fellowship schemes, National Renewable Energy Fellowship, ISI Kolkata stipend, NEC Merit Scholarship (renewal) | Merit |
Documents required for NSP
The exact document list is given in each scheme's Specifications PDF, so treat the list below as a starting checklist. Keep scans ready before you begin, because mismatched details are a common reason for defective applications.
- Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID, with an active mobile number, to create your OTR
- Bank account linked (seeded) with Aadhaar so that Direct Benefit Transfer can reach you
- Marksheet or result of your previous class or course
- Details of your institute, which must be registered on NSP (you can look it up under Find Institutes on NSP)
- Family income certificate and, for category-based schemes, a caste or community certificate
- For disability schemes, your UDID details and your consent on the UDID portal
How to apply on the National Scholarship Portal
Create your OTR first, then log in and fill the application. The steps below follow the order the portal uses. For a closer walkthrough of registration and face authentication, read our NSP scholarship 2026-27 registration guide.
- Create your OTR. Use the OTR page or the NSP OTR app on Google Play and complete face authentication. The OTR stays with you for your whole academic career, so you do not register again every year.
- Log in to the application form. Open the application form portal and log in with Aadhaar, APAAR or your OTR.
- Fill Basic Information. Complete General Information, Academic Details and Application Specific Details.
- Open Apply Fresh. Read the guidelines, accept the terms and click Continue.
- Choose the category. Select Scholarship or Incentive, then click Apply to generate your Application ID.
- Open your application. On the My Applications page, click Proceed against the Application ID and choose Fill/Edit Application Form.
- Select the scheme and submit. Pick a scheme from the list shown for your profile, upload the documents and click Final Submit.
- Save your Application ID and the acknowledgment. You will need them to track the application.
How to renew an NSP scholarship
Students who received a scholarship earlier apply through the renewal route, not as a fresh applicant. In 2026-27 several schemes are listed on NSP for renewal only, including PM-USP CSSS, PM YASASVI in Schools and the NEC Merit Scholarship, so a first-year student should not expect to find a fresh application there.
If your previous year's application does not appear under your OTR, use the Link Renewal Application option. NSP asks that:
- you have no active new merit-based application (withdraw it first)
- the name, gender and date of birth on your new OTR match the previous year's application
- you can receive the OTP on the mobile number linked to your parent's or guardian's Aadhaar, as given in the earlier application
How to check NSP application status and payment
Use the Application Status page on NSP to see where your application stands. Once it is processed for payment, the Track Your Payment link on the PFMS website shows the payment status.
Payment reaches you through Direct Benefit Transfer, so your bank account must be seeded with Aadhaar. NPCI's Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform lets you seed or de-seed in self-service mode, and the myAadhaar portal lets you check your seeding status.
Common NSP mistakes and how to avoid them
- Face authentication keeps failing. Your Aadhaar biometrics may be locked. Unlock them on the myAadhaar portal and try again. If you see error 904, update the UIDAI AadhaarFaceRD app.
- Changing Basic Information after applying. You cannot edit it while an application is active unless you withdraw all your applications. Name, gender, date of birth and parent details come from your OTR, so refresh them there before you submit.
- Applying for a second merit scheme. The portal allows only one per academic year.
- Skipping the UDID step. Students with disabilities must log in to the UDID portal and give consent before the NSP application can be submitted.
- Ignoring a defective mark. If your institute or the scheme nodal officer marks the application defective, correct it through Fill/Edit Application Form before the defective application window closes on 15 November 2026.
- Withdrawing in a hurry. A withdrawn fresh application cannot be revoked. A withdrawn renewal application can, as long as the submission date has not closed.
- Paying an agent. The only charge in NSP's announcements is the Common Service Centre fee of Rs 30, which covers the whole activity for one candidate.
Frequently asked questions about the National Scholarship Portal
What is the last date for National Scholarship Portal 2026-27?
The last date for students is 31 October 2026 for the Central Sector schemes listed on NSP. Institute verification and the defective application window run until 15 November 2026, and nodal officer verification until 30 November 2026. Centrally Sponsored and State schemes show their own dates, so check the entry for your scheme.
What is the National Scholarship Portal scholarship amount?
NSP itself does not pay a fixed amount. Each scheme sets its own benefit, which is given in the Specifications PDF linked against the scheme on NSP. Always read that document before you decide which scheme to apply for.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship on NSP?
Yes, with a limit. From 2026-27 you can apply for one merit-based scheme in an academic year and for more than one welfare-based scheme, as long as you meet each scheme's conditions.
How can I check my NSP application status?
Open the Application Status page on scholarships.gov.in and log in with your details. To follow the payment after approval, use the Track Your Payment link, which opens the PFMS payment tracking page.
Is there a fee to apply on the National Scholarship Portal?
NSP's announcements mention only the Common Service Centre fee of Rs 30 per candidate. It covers the reference number, biometric authentication, OTR generation and filing the full application. Do not pay anyone more than that on the promise of a guaranteed scholarship.
Who can I contact if I face a problem on NSP?
Write to helpdesk@nsp.gov.in or call 0120-6619540 between 8 AM and 8 PM on all days except government holidays. For payment queries, the PFMS helpdesk has a toll-free number, 1800 118 111.
What to do next
Spend ten minutes this week on three things. Create your OTR or confirm that your existing one works, check that your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar, and note your scheme's closing date from its own NSP entry. Then compare state, central and private options on the Scholarlify scholarship list so you do not miss a scheme that closes before 31 October 2026.
Sources and official references
- National Scholarship Portal home page and announcements (Academic Year 2026-27)
- Schemes on NSP, with 2026-27 dates
- NSP student FAQ and application form guide (PDF)
- NSP helpdesk
Scholarship dates, amounts and rules can change. This article reflects what the official sources above showed on 13 October 2026. Scholarlify is an information platform and does not guarantee the award of any scholarship.