The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is a one-stop, unified platform by the Government of India where students can apply for various scholarships offered by the Central Government, State Governments, and the UGC (University Grants Commission).
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Guide: Online Form, Registration (OTR), Login & Status
Recently, the government has introduced massive structural changes to the NSP portal. One Time Registration (OTR) and Aadhaar Face Authentication are now strictly mandatory for all applicants.
This comprehensive guide provides updated information on OTR Registration, CSC VLE operational guidelines, application processes, status tracking, and solutions for common technical issues.
Overview: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
| Information | Details |
| Portal Name | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Department | Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) / NIC |
| Applicable For | All India (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Higher Education) |
| Academic Year | 2026-27 (Current) |
| Major Update | OTR (One Time Registration) is now Mandatory |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
Important Services
| Service | Purpose | Official Link |
| One Time Registration (OTR) | Mandatory 14-digit unique ID generation required prior to any application. | Register for OTR |
| Fresh Scholarship | Apply for a new central, state, or UGC scholarship scheme. | Apply for Scholarship |
| Scholarship Renewal | Renew an ongoing or previously approved scholarship for the current academic year. | Renew Scholarship |
| Institute Verification | Dashboard for Head of Institutes and Nodal Officers to verify student data. | Institute Login |
Eligibility Criteria
While specific eligibility varies across hundreds of ministerial schemes, the general criteria are:
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
| Citizenship | Must be an Indian Citizen. |
| Education | Must be studying in a recognized school/college/university. |
| Marks Criteria | Minimum 50% marks in the previous academic year (varies by scheme). |
| Family Income | Varies by scheme (e.g., less than ₹2.5 Lakhs for minority schemes). |
| Bank Account | Must be in the student’s name and strictly Aadhaar Seeded (NPCI Mapped). |
Documents Required
The following documents are necessary for OTR Generation and Scholarship Application:
| Document | Required / Optional | Purpose/Notes |
| Aadhaar Card | Required | Mandatory for OTR and Face eKYC. |
| Aadhaar Seeded Bank Account | Required | To receive funds directly via DBT. |
| Income Certificate | Required | Issued by the competent state authority. |
| Caste / Community Certificate | Required (If applicable) | For SC/ST/OBC/Minority category students. |
| Domicile Certificate | Required | Especially for state-specific scholarship schemes. |
| Previous Year Marksheet | Required | Marksheet of the last passed examination. |
| Fee Receipt | Required | Current academic year’s school/college fee receipt. |
| APAAR ID / PEN | Required / Recommended | For centralized academic tracking. |
Apply / Access / Track / Download
| User Need | Official Link |
| Apply / Access | Student Login |
| Track Application | Track via Dashboard |
| Verify | Institute/Nodal Officer Login |
Important New Rules for NSP 2026-27 (Latest Updates)
Students and CSC Operators must adhere to the following mandatory changes before starting an application:
- OTR (One Time Registration) is Mandatory: Starting from the 2024-25 academic session, OTR has been made mandatory. OTR is a unique 14-digit number that remains the same throughout a student’s entire academic career.
- Face Authentication: Biometric fingerprint devices are no longer required. Form verification is now done via Face Authentication using the NSP OTR App and AadhaarFaceRD mobile applications.
- APAAR ID Integration: The government has introduced the facility (and requirement) to link a student’s APAAR ID/PEN with their NSP OTR.
- NPCI BASE Platform: To receive scholarship funds via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the student’s bank account must be Aadhaar Seeded. Students can now check their seeding status through the newly launched Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform by NPCI.
Special Guidelines for CSC VLEs and Operators
Common Service Centres (CSCs) play a crucial role in helping rural and semi-urban students apply for these scholarships.
- Dedicated CSC Login: VLEs should not log in directly from the student homepage. Instead, they must visit the dedicated CSC URL scholarships.gov.in/CSCURL and log in using their Digital Seva Connect credentials.
- Official Service Charge: The government has fixed a flat service charge of ₹30.00 (inclusive of all taxes) for CSC VLEs. This fee covers generating the Reference number, completing Face Authentication, generating the OTR, and submitting the complete Scholarship Application Form. Operators must not overcharge students.
How to Apply: NSP Scholarship Application Process
The application process is now split into two distinct phases: Phase 1 (OTR) and Phase 2 (Application).
Step 1: Generate OTR (One Time Registration)
- Visit the official NSP Website (
scholarships.gov.in). - Under the Students section, click on “Apply For One Time Registration (OTR)”.
- Enter your Mobile Number, receive the OTP, and verify it.
- Enter your Aadhaar Number (or Aadhaar Enrollment ID).
- Complete your Face Authentication. (This step requires a smartphone with the “NSP OTR App” and “AadhaarFaceRD” app installed).
- Once eKYC is successful, your 14-digit OTR Number (Reference/Registration ID) will be generated. Save this number securely.
Step 2: Fresh Scholarship Application
- After generating your OTR, go back to the homepage and click on “Apply Fresh”.
- Log in using your OTR Number (Application ID) and Password.
- Once the dashboard opens, fill in your Profile details (Address, College Name, Course, etc.).
- Select the appropriate scholarship scheme visible based on your eligibility.
- Upload all requested documents in the correct format and size (PDF/JPEG).
- Review the form thoroughly and click “Final Submit”. (Note: Once Finally Submitted, no corrections can be made by the student.)
How to Track Application Status
Students can easily track the progress of their application online:
- Visit the NSP portal and click on “Login” (Choose Fresh or Renewal).
- Enter your Application ID and Password.
- On the left side of the dashboard, click on “Track Your Application Status” or “My Applications”.
- Here, you can see if your application is pending at the Institute level, Nodal Officer level, or PFMS (Payment) level.
Common Problems and Solutions
Students and VLEs frequently encounter technical issues while using the portal and the OTR App. Here are verified solutions:
- Error 904 during Face Authentication: If you face Error 904 while scanning the face, immediately go to the Google Play Store and update the UIDAI AadhaarFaceRD application to the latest version.
- Face Authentication Failed (Biometric Locked): Many face authentication attempts fail because the student’s Aadhaar biometrics are locked. Solution: Download the mAadhaar app or visit the My Aadhaar web portal, use the “Lock/Unlock Aadhaar” feature to unlock your biometrics, and try again.
- Payment Not Received (DBT Failed): If an application is fully approved but funds are not credited, it usually means the bank account is not mapped with NPCI. Visit your bank branch, submit an eKYC mandate, and ensure your account is “Aadhaar Seeded for DBT.”
Institute Nodal Officer (INO) Face Authentication Rules
Starting from the 2024-25 session, Face Authentication is not just for students. It is now strictly mandatory for Institute Nodal Officers (INO) and Heads of Institutes (HoI). During their KYC registration, they must download the NSP FaceAuth App and the AadhaarFaceRD app from the Play Store to complete their authentication. If they fail to do this, they will not be able to verify student applications on their dashboard.
Services for VLEs / CSC Operators
Authorized Common Service Centre (CSC) Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) play a crucial role in assisting rural students with their scholarship applications. VLEs can help students complete their mandatory One Time Registration (OTR), perform Aadhaar face authentication, and submit forms correctly. Operators must access the portal using their Digital Seva Connect credentials via the official CSC gateway: CSC VLE Login.
Help & Grievance
If students face technical difficulties, biometric authentication failures, or application issues, they can reach out to the official NSP helpdesk or file a complaint directly on the portal’s main interface: NSP Helpdesk & Grievance.
Other Important Links:
Important Note
- Aadhaar Seeding: Your bank account must be actively seeded with your Aadhaar and mapped on the NPCI mapper to successfully receive direct benefit transfer (DBT) funds.
- OTR is Mandatory: Every student must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) to generate a unique 14-digit ID using their Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) before applying.
- No Corrections Post-Submission: Review all application details carefully; correction or editing is not permitted once the final OTR and scholarship application forms are submitted.