Last Updated: 7 October 2026 | Reviewed by: Team DigiDisha (Education Mentors, Ghaziabad, UP)
Official Website: https://scholarships.gov.in – Only official National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026-27 at scholarships.gov.in is the Government of India’s single-window portal for 100+ Central Government scholarships – Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means, Central Sector (CSSS), NMMS, Top Class, AICTE, UGC and more, for Class 1 to PhD students. Portal opened 1 June 2026; last date for most schemes is 31 October 2026 (some schemes like NMMS closed 30 Sept). OTR (One-Time Registration with Aadhaar + face auth) is compulsory. Application is free; money comes via DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. DigiDisha.com gives free scheme-selection + form guidance.
Overview: What is National Scholarship (NSP)? – Simple, Honest Explanation
Let’s be honest. Every year students ask us: “Sir, UP Scholarship bhar diya – kya NSP bhi bhar sakte hain?” And cyber cafes happily fill BOTH forms and charge double – then both get rejected.
So first, the most important line of this page:
NSP (National Scholarship Portal) is for CENTRAL Government schemes. UP Scholarship portal is for UP STATE schemes. For the same course in the same year, you can take only ONE scholarship – Central or State, not both.
NSP at scholarships.gov.in is run by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (built by NIC). It brings 100+ central schemes on one platform – Ministry of Minority Affairs, Social Justice, Education, Labour, AICTE, UGC, ICAR, Railways, Home Ministry and more. Students from Class 1 to PhD – SC, ST, OBC, Minority, PwD (disabled), wards of workers/force personnel, and merit toppers – can find a scheme here.
Who should look at NSP seriously?
- Minority students (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist) – Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means for professional courses
- SC/ST students – Post-Matric + Top Class Education (full fees in IIT/NIT/AIIMS/IIM) + National Fellowship
- 12th toppers (80+ percentile) – Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) – ₹12,000/yr in UG, ₹20,000/yr in PG
- Girls in technical courses – AICTE Pragati (₹50,000/yr); Disabled students – AICTE Saksham + PwD scholarships
- NMMS qualified students – ₹12,000/yr from Class 9-12
- Science toppers – Inspire Scholarship (₹80,000/yr)
Our Promise: We will first tell you honestly whether NSP or your STATE portal (like UP Scholarship) is better for YOU – because the wrong portal = rejection. Our guidance is free, linked to official notifications, and updated for 2026-27 – not recycled 2023 blogs.
UP Students – Read This Before Applying (Very Important)
If you are a UP domicile student: compare both options for your profile, then apply on only one portal for 2026-27. Generally – Dashmottar on UP portal gives full fee reimbursement (often bigger for private colleges), while NSP central schemes like CSSS/MCM/Top-Class may suit toppers, minority professional-course students and premier-institute students. Confused? WhatsApp “NSP vs UP” to DigiDisha – free comparison for your case.
Highlights Table: NSP National Scholarship 2026-27 at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Portal Name | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in (only official site) |
| Run By | Ministry of Electronics & IT, Govt. of India (Built by NIC) |
| Session | 2026-27 (portal open since 1 June 2026) |
| Schemes Hosted | 100+ Central schemes (Ministries + AICTE + UGC + ICAR + Railways + MHA + others) |
| Classes Covered | Class 1 to PhD (scheme-wise) |
| Categories | SC, ST, OBC, EBC, DNT, Minority, PwD, EWS (merit), Wards of workers/force personnel |
| Registration | OTR compulsory – 14-digit number via Aadhaar + face authentication (NSP OTR App) |
| Application Fee | ₹0 – Free on portal (CSC assisted service ~₹30 if you use CSC) |
| Payment Mode | DBT to Aadhaar-seeded bank account of student |
| Helpdesk | 0120-6619540, helpdesk@nsp.gov.in |
| DigiDisha Help | Free scheme selection + OTR guidance + form + status help in Hindi |
NSP 2026-27 – Important Dates (Official)
| Activity | Most Schemes | NMMS / Some Pre-Matric / Some Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| Portal Open | 1 June 2026 | 1 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 – OPEN | 30 Sept 2026 – CLOSED |
| Institute Verification | 15 Nov 2026 | 15 Oct 2026 |
| District / State Verification | 30 Nov 2026 | 30–31 Oct 2026 |
Schemes that closed on 30 Sept 2026: NMMS, Pre-Matric for Students with Disabilities, Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Pre-Matric, PM-YASASVI Top Class School (Renewal), PM-USP CSSS (Renewal), PM-USP J&K/Ladakh (Renewal). All other major schemes – Post-Matric, MCM, Top Class, AICTE, UGC, ICAR, PM Scholarship (CAPF) – open till 31 Oct 2026.
Urgent Alert (7 Oct 2026): Only 24 days left for most NSP schemes. OTR with face-auth takes 1-2 days if Aadhaar-mobile has issues – so start TODAY, not on 30 October when the server slows down.
Major NSP Schemes 2026-27 – Which One is For You? (Courses Covered)
NSP hosts 100+ schemes, but 90% students need only these. Pick YOUR one:
1. Pre-Matric Scholarship – Class 9 & 10 (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD)
For: Class 9-10 students of eligible categories
Amount: Approx. ₹3,500–₹7,000/year (day scholar/hosteller, category-wise) + tuition support
Income Limit: Roughly up to ₹2–2.5 lakh/year (scheme-wise – check notification)
Status: Most pre-matric open till 31 Oct 2026 (PwD pre-matric closed 30 Sept)
Best for: School students who want central scheme instead of / in addition comparison with state pre-matric
2. Post-Matric Scholarship – Class 11 to PhD (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD)
For: Class 11, 12, UG, PG, Diploma, professional courses
Amount: Approx. ₹1,500–₹36,200+/year + tuition fee – varies widely by category and course (SC post-matric among the highest)
Income Limit: Roughly SC/ST up to ₹2.5L, OBC lower ceiling (~₹1–1.5L), Minority ~₹2L – verify in scheme guidelines
Status: OPEN till 31 Oct 2026
Best for: College students of reserved categories in any state
3. Merit-cum-Means (MCM) – Minority Professional Courses
For: Minority students (Muslim/Sikh/Christian/Buddhist/Jain/Parsi) in professional & technical UG/PG – BTech, MBBS, BPharma, MBA, Law etc.
Amount: Approx. ₹20,000–₹25,000/year (course fee + maintenance)
Eligibility: Usually 50%+ marks in last exam + admission through competitive exam or merit
Status: OPEN till 31 Oct 2026
Best for: Minority students in private engineering/medical colleges with high fees
4. Central Sector Scheme (CSSS / PM-USP) – For 12th Toppers
For: Students above 80th percentile in Class 12, pursuing regular UG/PG (all categories with income ceiling)
Amount: ₹12,000/year (UG) – ₹20,000/year (PG)
Income Limit: Family income ceiling as per notification (check current notice – historically up to ₹4.5L, verify for 2026-27)
Status: Fresh open till 31 Oct 2026; Renewal closed 30 Sept 2026
Best for: Board toppers (CBSE/ICSE/State boards) in regular degree colleges – no caste condition
5. NMMS – National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (Class 9-12)
For: Students who QUALIFIED the NMMS exam in Class 8
Amount: ₹12,000/year from Class 9 to 12
Status: CLOSED for 2026-27 (30 Sept 2026). Qualified students who missed it – contact school + district office immediately for options.
Best for: NMMS exam qualifiers only – exam is the entry gate
6. Top Class Education – SC/ST/PwD in Premier Institutes
For: SC/ST/PwD students admitted in 266+ premier institutes – IIT, NIT, IIM, AIIMS, NLU etc.
Amount: Full tuition fee + living expenses (~₹3,000/month) + books/computer – the biggest central scholarship
Income Limit: Roughly up to ₹6–8L (scheme-wise)
Status: OPEN till 31 Oct 2026
Best for: JEE/NEET/CAT/CLAT qualifiers from eligible categories – never miss this
7. AICTE Pragati (Girls) & Saksham (Disabled) – ₹50,000/year
For: Girl students (Pragati) / Disabled students 40%+ disability (Saksham) in AICTE-approved technical courses
Amount: ₹50,000/year
Status: OPEN till 31 Oct 2026
Best for: Girls in BTech/Polytechnic/Pharmacy – one of the easiest big scholarships for eligible girls
8. PM Scholarship for CAPF/Assam Rifles Wards + Others (UGC, ICAR, Inspire, Ishan Uday)
For: Wards of CAPF/Assam Rifles personnel; PG students (UGC); agri students (ICAR); NER students (Ishan Uday); science top-1% (Inspire – ₹80,000/yr)
Amount: Scheme-wise – Inspire ₹80,000/yr is the highest merit award
Status: Mostly OPEN till 31 Oct 2026
Best for: Special categories – check the scheme list on scholarships.gov.in > Scheme-wise eligibility
DigiDisha Free Support for NSP Students: Free scheme-matching (tell us class + category + course + state → we tell your best 2 schemes) + OTR/face-auth help + form-filling video + institute-verification follow-up guidance. WhatsApp “NSP” to DigiDisha.com support. Scholarship help is always free.
Application Process – How to Apply on scholarships.gov.in Correctly (Step-by-Step)
Two parts: 1) OTR once, 2) Scheme application + institute verification. Both compulsory.
Part A: OTR Registration (Compulsory Since 2024-25 – Do First)
Step 1: Download NSP OTR App & Keep Aadhaar Ready
OTR needs Aadhaar number (or EID) + Aadhaar-linked mobile for OTP + face authentication on smartphone. Keep Aadhaar, mobile, and a well-lit room for face scan ready.
Step 2: Generate 14-Digit OTR Number
Open scholarships.gov.in > OTR / Register > Enter Aadhaar details > OTP verify > Face-auth > Get your permanent 14-digit OTR number. Screenshot + write it in a diary – you will use it every year for fresh and renewal.
Step 3: Fix Aadhaar Problems FIRST (Don’t Skip)
If mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, or name/DOB mismatch with marksheet – visit Aadhaar centre/CSC first. 50% of NSP failures start here. DigiDisha gives free pre-check list on WhatsApp.
Part B: Scheme Application + Verification (Official Process)
Step 4: Login with OTR & Select YOUR Scheme
Login > Application Form > Choose academic year 2026-27 > Select scheme (only schemes matching your profile will show). Read the scheme guidelines PDF once – 5 minutes that saves rejection.
Step 5: Fill + Upload Documents
Fill institute, course, admission date, fees, bank details (own Aadhaar-seeded account). Upload: Aadhaar, domicile, caste/income certificates, last marksheet, bonafide/admission proof, fees receipt, bank passbook, disability certificate (PwD), photo. Clear scans only.
Step 6: Final Submit & Print
Preview name spelling, bank account, IFSC, scheme name. Submit before 31 Oct 2026 and print the application. Give a copy to your institute’s nodal officer.
Step 7: Institute Verification (by 15 Nov) + District/State (by 30 Nov)
Your college/school verifies online, then district/state authority approves. Visit your nodal officer in person after 3-4 days of applying – pending institute verification is the No.1 silent killer of NSP forms. Then track status: Submitted → Verified → Approved → Payment.
Trust Tip: NSP form is FREE. Anyone demanding ₹500–2,000 for “scholarship pakki”, asking your OTP/Aadhaar biometric, or sending fake “NSP payment” links on WhatsApp = fraud. Official site is ONLY https://scholarships.gov.in – type it yourself. Helpdesk: 0120-6619540, helpdesk@nsp.gov.in.
Documents Checklist (Keep Ready Before Filling)
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card (+ linked mobile) | Needed for OTR + face-auth + DBT; name/DOB must match marksheet |
| OTR Number (14-digit) | Generated once, used every year – keep safe |
| Domicile Certificate | Of your state |
| Caste / Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC/EBC as per scheme; minority self-declaration where asked |
| Income Certificate | Fresh 2026 certificate, within scheme ceiling |
| Last Exam Marksheet | For merit/percentage criteria (MCM, CSSS need 50%+/80th percentile) |
| Bonafide / Admission Proof + Fees Receipt | Session 2026-27 with institute seal |
| Bank Passbook | OWN account, Aadhaar-seeded + DBT enabled – verify at bank |
| Disability Certificate (PwD schemes) | 40%+ disability from competent authority |
| Photo + Signature | Recent, clear, within size limit |
Why Students Trust DigiDisha.com? (Our EEAT Story)
NSP has 100+ schemes with different rules – one wrong selection wastes your whole year. We take this responsibility seriously.
1. Experience: Our Ghaziabad (UP) team has guided 3,000+ students on Central + State scholarships in offline centres before launching DigiDisha online – including minority, SC/ST, PwD and topper cases.
2. Expertise: We read actual scheme guidelines PDFs (not just headlines) – income ceilings, merit cutoffs, renewal marks criteria – and explain in simple Hindi which 1-2 schemes fit YOUR profile.
3. Authoritativeness: Every date and rule here is traceable to scholarships.gov.in notices and reputed education portals. Tentative items are clearly marked tentative.
4. Trustworthiness:
- Scholarship guidance is 100% free – we earn only from optional SSC/job courses you may join later
- We never ask OTP, bank password or Aadhaar biometric – anyone who does is a fraud, including fake “DigiDisha” callers (verify on our official contact page)
- We openly tell you when a scheme is CLOSED (like NMMS now) instead of fake “apply now” buttons
- One-scholarship rule explained honestly – we stop you from double-applying and getting both rejected
DigiDisha.com is a private education guidance platform from UP, for Indian students. We are NOT a government website.
FAQs – National Scholarship (NSP) 2026-27 (Direct Answers)
1. What is NSP Scholarship 2026-27 last date?
31 October 2026 for most schemes (Post-Matric, MCM, Top Class, AICTE, UGC, ICAR, CSSS Fresh and others). NMMS, PwD Pre-Matric, Beedi/Cine pre-matric and some renewals (CSSS, J&K) closed on 30 Sept 2026. Institute verification by 15 Nov, district/state by 30 Nov 2026.
2. What is the official NSP website?
Only https://scholarships.gov.in. Type it yourself – never click scholarship links from WhatsApp/Telegram/YouTube comments. Fake sites steal Aadhaar + bank details.
3. What is NSP OTR and is it compulsory?
One-Time Registration – a permanent 14-digit ID based on Aadhaar + face authentication, compulsory for all applicants since 2024-25. Generate once via the NSP OTR App/portal, use every year for fresh and renewal.
4. Can I apply for both NSP and UP/state scholarship?
No – for the same course in the same academic year you can avail only ONE scholarship (Central or State). Double applications get detected during verification and both can be rejected. Compare amounts and apply on the better portal. Ask DigiDisha free for comparison.
5. How much money will I get in NSP?
Scheme-wise: Pre-Matric ~₹3,500–7,000; Post-Matric ~₹1,500–36,200+; MCM ~₹20,000–25,000; CSSS ₹12,000 (UG)/₹20,000 (PG); NMMS ₹12,000; Pragati/Saksham ₹50,000; Inspire ₹80,000; Top Class = full fees + living expenses. Exact amount follows scheme norms.
6. NSP scholarship kab aayegi 2026-27?
After institute (by 15 Nov) + district/state (by 30 Nov) verification, payments go via DBT – typically December 2026 to March 2027, scheme-wise. Track status on the portal; payment stage shows when DBT is initiated.
7. How to check NSP application/payment status?
Login to scholarships.gov.in with OTR > Track Application Status. Stages: Submitted → Verified by Institute → Verified by District/State → Approved → Payment done. Also check DBT status and keep your bank account active with Aadhaar seeding.
8. What if my institute is not showing / not verified?
Your institute must be registered and mapped on NSP with an active nodal officer. Visit your college/school office with your application printout and request mapping + verification before 15 Nov 2026. This step kills most forms – follow up in person, not just by phone.
