The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is a digital platform launched by the Government of India to streamline the application, processing, and disbursement of scholarships offered by central and state governments, UGC, AICTE, and other agencies. It provides a single window for students to access various scholarship schemes, ensuring transparency, reducing redundancy, and promoting timely fund disbursement.
National Scholarship Portal Objective
To simplify scholarship applications, ensure timely disbursement, and provide a common platform for central and state government scholarship schemes. It eliminates duplication and maintains a transparent database of applicants.
Includes pre-matric, post-matric, merit-based, means-based, minority, central sector, state-specific scholarships, and UGC/AICTE schemes. The NSP empowers students by simplifying access to financial aid, promoting equitable education, and reducing administrative hassles.
Benefits of the National Scholarship Portal
1. Centralized Access: Single platform for multiple central, state, and institutional scholarships, reducing the need to visit multiple websites.
2. Transparency: Online tracking of application and payment status ensures accountability.
3. Efficiency: Eliminates paperwork, reduces processing time, and minimizes duplication through OTR and Aadhaar linkage.
4. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Ensures timely and secure fund disbursement to students’ bank accounts, reducing intermediaries.
5. Inclusivity: Supports students from diverse backgrounds (SC/ST/OBC, minorities, EWS, girls, disabled) with tailored schemes.
6. Financial Support: Covers tuition, maintenance, and other educational expenses, enabling access to education for economically weaker sections.
7. User-Friendly: Mobile apps, multilingual support, and CSC assistance make it accessible to rural and urban students.
8. Time-Saving: OTR eliminates annual re-registration; scheme eligibility tools simplify selection.
9. Data Management: Maintains a centralized database, aiding policy planning and fraud prevention.
Eligibility Criteria for National Scholarship Portal
1. General Eligibility: Indian citizen studying in India.
2. Enrolled in recognized institutions (schools, colleges, universities, ITIs) with AISHE/DISE/NCVT codes.
3. Applicable to students from all streams and classes, depending on the scheme.
4. Targets categories like SC/ST/OBC, minorities, economically weaker sections, single girl children, and students with disabilities.
5. Additional criteria (domicile, caste, religion, course level, gender, disability) vary; use the “Scheme Eligibility” tool on NSP.
Application Process
1. Visit scholarships.gov.in and select “New Registration.”
2. Read guidelines, accept terms, and proceed.
3. Enter details: name, date of birth, mobile number, email, state of domicile, category, etc.
4. Complete eKYC
5. mAadhaar app or My Aadhaar portal.
6. Receive OTR number via SMS/email.
7. 30 (inclusive of taxes) for OTR, authentication, and application filing at Common Service Centres (CSCs), if needed.
8. Use Reference Number from SMS to generate OTR; avoid new registration.
9. After the verification, Approved funds are disbursed via DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account through PFMS.
10. Processing may take months post-verification.
Upload Documents
Aadhaar card/Enrolment ID.
Bank passbook.
Income certificate.
Caste certificate (if applicable).
Previous year’s marksheet.
Self-declaration and domicile certificate (if required).
Check scheme-specific document requirements.
Important Dates (subject to change; verify on NSP):
Application Start: July 1, 2025 (pre-matric/post-matric).
Pre-Matric: August 31, 2025 (extended to October 31, 2025 for some schemes like NMMSS).
Post-Matric: October 31, 2025 (maybe extended to December 15, 2025 for some schemes).
Central Sector Scheme: October 31, 2025.
