The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for Academic Year 2025-26 has opened its application window for a wide range of centrally-sponsored and state-sponsored scholarships. This āone-stopā portal allows eligible studentsāfrom school level up to PhDāto apply for financial assistance seamlessly and transparently.
Table of Contents
šļø Important Date: Last Date to Apply
The last date to submit applications under most NSP schemes for 2025-26 has been extended to 31 October 2025.Ā
Some schemes may have slightly different deadlines, but the commonly referenced cutoff is 31 October 2025.
After this date, you will not be able to submit fresh applications for many of the schemes covered under NSP for this academic year.
š What is NSP & Why It Matters
NSP is a Mission-Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) and is part of the Digital India initiative.Ā
It integrates multiple scholarship schemes (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, UG, PG, Professional Courses, etc.) in one platformāso students apply once, track status, and receive funds via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Using a unified portal reduces duplication, speeds up verification, and increases transparency in fund disbursement.
ā Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
While eligibility specifics vary by scheme, some of the general criteria for NSPā2025-26 include:
Indian citizen enrolled in a recognised institution (school, college, university) for the relevant programme.Ā
One-Time Registration (OTR) on the portal must be completed (including Aadhaar-linked face authentication via the NSP/OTR apps).Ā
Household annual income should not exceed specified ceilings depending on the scheme (for example, some schemes mention Rs 2.5 lakh).Ā
For meritābased schemes (e.g., Central Sector Scheme), there may be minimum academic performance criteria (e.g., certain grades or percentile).Ā
Students must not be availing any incompatible scholarship scheme (depending on the rules of the specific scheme).
Important note: Always check the specific schemeās eligibility under the NSP portal because criteria can vary significantly (course type, class level, domicile/state, etc).
šļø Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Visit the official NSP website: scholarships.gov.in or use the NSP mobile app.Ā
For first-time applicants: Complete OTR registration (enter Aadhaar, contact info, institution details, etc.).
Login with your credentials, select the scholarship scheme you are eligible for.
Fill in the application formāenter personal details, academic credentials, bank account, Aadhaar etc.Ā
Upload scanned/photographed documents (income certificate, caste certificate, previous year mark sheet, bank passbook, etc).Ā
Submit the form before the deadline and save the Application ID/reference number for future tracking.
After submission: Institute verification ā District/State Nodal Officer verification ā Ministry verification (varies by scheme). Some ādefective applicationā windows may open after the last date.Ā
š Key Schemes & Amounts
Pre-Matric / Post-Matric Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/minority students: School and college levels.Ā
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College & University Students: For meritorious students from economically weaker sections. Scholarship amounts approximately ā¹12,000 to ā¹20,000/annum for eligible students.Ā
Top Class Education Scheme for SC/ST & other special category scholarships: Higher amounts (for professional courses) and different eligibility criteria.Ā
š ļø Tips & Reminders
Donāt wait for the last day: Submit early to avoid website traffic, technical issues or document upload delays.
Ensure your institution is registered on the NSP portal. If the institution is not registered, your application may be rejected.Ā
Complete OTR and face-authentication (via NSP OTR app) before applying. Without OTR, you cannot proceed.Ā
Keep scanned copies ready: Aadhaar, bank passbook, income certificate, caste certificate, mark sheet/grade certificate.
Once submitted, do not re-submit or duplicate. Wait for status updates and keep your Application ID safe.
After submission, monitor your application status on NSPāif flagged ādefectiveā, respond promptly within the given window.Ā
For renewals: If you were awarded the scholarship in a previous year, use the renewal option and ensure you meet all renewal criteria (attendance, grades, bank account continuity).Ā
š§¾ FAQs
Q: What is the exact last date to apply for NSP 2025-26?
A: For most schemes under NSP the last date is 31 October 2025.Ā
Q: Can I apply after 31 October if I missed the date?
A: Generally no, applications submitted after the deadline will be rejected. Always check the specific scheme for any extensions.
Q: Is there any application fee?
A: No, applying through NSP is free of cost.Ā
Q: Which courses are eligible under NSP?
A: Eligible courses range from school level (classes 1-10) up to UG/PG/professional/PhD, depending on scheme.Ā
Q: How will the scholarship amount be disbursed?
A: Via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiaryās bank account registered with the portal.
š§ Final Word
If you are a student eligible for any of the NSP-supported scholarship schemes for 2025-26, act now: Register on the portal, complete your OTR, gather your documents, and submit the application well before 31 October 2025. This is a key opportunity to secure financial assistance for your education, so donāt let the deadline slip.
