NSP Scholarship Portal Open 2026-27
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has opened applications for Academic Year 2026-27 from 1 June 2026. Students can now apply online for centrally administered merit-based and welfare-based scholarship schemes after generating their One Time Registration (OTR) number through Aadhaar. This guide explains the new multiple-application rule for AY 2026-27, the OTR requirement, the NPCI BASE Aadhaar seeding facility, the fixed Common Service Centre fee, and the official links to register and apply.
Important Links
Apply or download directly from the official portal.
On this page10 sections
Quick Glance
Portal National Scholarship Portal (NSP) · Academic Year 2026-27 · Status Open from 1 June 2026 · Mandatory Step One Time Registration (OTR) via Aadhaar / EID · New Rule One merit-based + one or more welfare-based scholarships allowed · CSC Fee Rs 30.00 per candidate · Apply At scholarships.gov.in
Overview
- Portal Name - National Scholarship Portal (NSP), Government of India
- Official Website - scholarships.gov.in
- Academic Year - 2026-27
- Application Window - Open from 1 June 2026 onwards
- Mandatory Pre-requisite - One Time Registration (OTR), required to apply since AY 2024-25
- OTR Basis - Generated using Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID)
- OTR Format - A unique 14-digit number, valid for the student's entire academic career
- Application Rule for AY 2026-27 - Students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes, subject to each scheme's eligibility criteria
- Aadhaar Seeding Facility - NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform for seeding/de-seeding bank accounts
- Assisted Mode - NSP services available at Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- CSC Service Charge - Fixed at Rs 30.00 per candidate (inclusive of all applicable taxes)
Important Links
- Apply Online (Scholarship Application): https://scholarships.gov.in/ApplicationForm/
- One Time Registration (OTR) Login: https://scholarships.gov.in/otrapplication/#/login-page
- Check Application Status: https://scholarships.gov.in/payl/loginPage.action
- NPCI BASE Aadhaar Seeding Process Flow (PDF): https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/npci_base.pdf
- Know Your Payment (PFMS): https://pfms.nic.in/SitePages/KnowYourPayment_Dw_NewNew.aspx
- CSC Locator: https://locator.csccloud.in/
- Official Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
Important Dates
- Portal Open for AY 2026-27 - 1 June 2026 onwards
- Last Date - Scheme-wise; not stated in the portal announcement (varies by scheme)
What Has Changed for AY 2026-27
The National Scholarship Portal has opened for the Academic Year 2026-27 with effect from 1 June 2026. The most notable policy update for this cycle is the multiple-application rule. As stated on the portal, students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes from AY 2026-27, as per each scheme's eligibility criteria. This allows an eligible student to combine a single merit scholarship with multiple welfare entitlements rather than being restricted to a single application.
One Time Registration (OTR)
OTR is mandatory to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal from AY 2024-25 onwards, and it continues for AY 2026-27.
- OTR can be generated using the student's Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID).
- The OTR is a unique 14-digit number issued to the student.
- It is valid for the entire academic career, so a student generates it once and reuses it across years and schemes.
- Without a valid OTR, a fresh scholarship application cannot be submitted on the portal.
Aadhaar Seeding via NPCI BASE
To receive scholarship disbursements, the student's bank account must be correctly Aadhaar-seeded. NPCI has launched the Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform to let students carry out Aadhaar seeding and de-seeding themselves. As per the official BASE process flow, the steps are:
- Open the NPCI portal at https://www.npci.org.in and click the Consumer tab.
- Click the Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) tab.
- A "Request for Aadhaar Seeding" window opens with four options: Request for Aadhaar Seeding, Check Your Service Status, Get Aadhaar Mapped Status, and Get Aadhaar Mapping History.
- Enter the required details such as Aadhaar number and bank account details, and choose Seeding or De-Seeding.
Applying Through Common Service Centres
NSP services are now available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) for students who need assisted application support. The total charge for the entire activity per candidate at a CSC is fixed at Rs 30.00, inclusive of all applicable taxes. Students can locate the nearest CSC using the CSC Locator link in the Important Links section.
How to Apply
- Generate your One Time Registration (OTR) using your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) at the OTR login link.
- Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded; use the NPCI BASE platform if seeding is required.
- Log in to the scholarship application portal and select an eligible merit-based scheme and, if applicable, one or more welfare-based schemes.
- Fill in the application form with your academic and bank details, upload the required documents, and submit.
- Track your application using the Check Application Status link and your payment through the PFMS "Know Your Payment" page.
Troubleshooting Notes from the Portal
- If you receive Error 904 during face authentication, update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store.
- If authentication fails repeatedly, check the biometric lock/unlock status on your Aadhaar.