How to Apply for NSP Scholarship 2025-26: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

New Delhi: The Government of India has opened the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the academic year 2025-26. This portal is a one-stop solution for students. It helps them apply for many scholarships from the central government, state governments, and other agencies like UGC and AICTE.

The main goal of the NSP is to help students from weaker economic backgrounds. It gives them financial aid to continue their studies. The application process is online. It is simple and clear.

This article gives you a detailed guide on how to apply for an NSP scholarship.

Important Dates for 2025-26

Students must apply before the last date. The deadlines for many popular scholarships are approaching fast.

• Application Start Date: Applications are now open.
• Last Date to Apply (Fresh & Renewal): For most Central Schemes (like Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means), the last date is October 31, 2025.
• Last Date for Institute Verification: Your school or college must verify your application. The deadline for this is usually in November 2025.

Do not wait for the last date. Apply as soon as possible to avoid any website problems.

Who Can Apply? (General Eligibility)

The rules are different for every scholarship. But here are the common rules for most schemes:

1. Be an Indian Citizen: You must be a citizen of India.
2. Be a Student: You must be a student in a school, college, or university. This includes classes 1 to PhD.
3. Check Family Income: Most scholarships are for students from economically weaker sections. Your family’s annual income must be below a certain level. For example, for some schemes, the limit is ₹1 lakh per year. For others, it might be ₹2.5 lakh per year.
4. Check Marks: You usually need to have at least 50% marks in your last exam.
5. Check Your Category: There are special scholarships for students from Minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Documents You Must Keep Ready

Before you start filling the form, collect these documents. You will need to upload scanned copies.

• Aadhaar Card: This is very important. Your mobile number should be linked to your Aadhaar.
• Bank Passbook: You need the first page of your bank passbook. The account must be in your name. It must show your Account Number and the bank’s IFSC Code.
• Educational Certificates: Your marksheet from the last exam you passed (e.g., Class 10 marksheet if you are in Class 11).
• Income Certificate: A certificate from a government authority (like a Tehsildar) that shows your family’s total annual income.
• Caste Certificate: This is needed only if you are applying under an SC, ST, or OBC category.
• Domicile Certificate: This certificate proves which state you live in.
• Bonafide Student Certificate: Your school or college will give you this. It proves you are a student there.
• Passport-size Photograph: A recent digital photo.

Part 1: How to Apply for a Fresh Scholarship (First-Time Users)

If you have never applied on NSP before, you must follow these steps. The process has a new rule this year called OTR.

Step 1: One Time Registration (OTR)

This is a new and mandatory step for all fresh applicants.

1. Go to the official NSP website: scholarships.gov.in
2. On the homepage, look for the “Applicant Corner.”
3. Click on the button that says “New Registration.”
4. Read all the instructions on the new page very carefully.
5. Fill in your basic details, like your mobile number and Aadhaar number. You will get an OTP to verify your mobile.
6. The system will generate a Reference Number. Write this number down.
7. Next, you must download two mobile apps: ‘NSP OTR’ and ‘AadhaarFaceRD’.
8. Open the ‘NSP OTR’ app. Enter your Reference Number.
9. The app will ask for face authentication. You will scan your face using your phone’s camera. This matches your face with your Aadhaar photo.
10. After your face is verified, you will get your permanent OTR ID (One Time Registration ID).

Step 2: Log In to the Portal

1. Go back to the NSP website: scholarships.gov.in
2. In the “Applicant Corner,” click on “Login.”
3. Log in using your new OTR ID and the password you created.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

Once you log in, you will see a dashboard.

1. Click on “Application Form.”
2. Fill in all the required details carefully.
3. Personal Details: Your name, address, state, etc.
4. Academic Details: Your school or college name, your current course, your roll number, and marks from your last exam.
5. Bank Details: Re-check your bank account number and IFSC code. The scholarship money will be sent to this account.

Step 4: Select the Scholarship Scheme

1. After you fill in all your details, the NSP portal will automatically show you a list of scholarships.
2. This list is based on your state, category (SC/ST/Minority), income, and course.
3. Read the schemes and choose the one you are eligible for. You can apply for only one scheme.

Step 5: Upload Your Documents

1. Now, you must upload the scanned copies of all the documents we listed earlier (Aadhaar, bank passbook, income certificate, etc.).
2. Make sure the scans are clear and easy to read.

Step 6: Final Submission

1. This is the last step. Read your entire application form one more time.
2. Check for any spelling mistakes, especially in your name, account number, and Aadhaar number.
3. If everything is correct, click the “Final Submit” button.
4. You cannot edit your application after final submission.
5. Save or print a copy of your submitted application for your records.

Part 2: How to Renew Your Scholarship (For Old Students)

If you received an NSP scholarship last year, you do not need to register again. You only need to renew your old application.

1. Go to the official NSP website: scholarships.gov.in
2. In the “Applicant Corner,” click on “Login.”
3. Select the “Renewal Application” option.
4. Log in using your previous year’s Application ID and password. (Do NOT use the new OTR process).
5. Your old details will already be filled in.
6. You only need to update your current class, year, and marks from the last exam.
7. You may need to upload your new marksheet and a new bonafide certificate.
8. Check all details and click “Final Submit.”

Renewing is much faster than applying for a fresh scholarship. But remember, you must apply for renewal every year to keep getting the scholarship.

Also Read-

Post-Diwali Air Crisis: Delhi Chokes as AQI Soars Past 400, Bihar Registers ‘Severe’ Air Quality

Asrani: “Angrezon Ke Zamane Ka Jailer Nahi Raha” Remembering Bollywood’s Comedy King