Stuck on NSP OTR Face Authentication? Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Fix

What is the NSP OTR System?

If you are trying to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), you will be prompted to complete OTR first.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT has mandated a 14-digit One-Time Registration (OTR) number for all applicants.

This OTR number stays with you throughout your academic life across all school, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate schemes.

Without a valid OTR number, you cannot submit fresh or renewal applications.

To issue your OTR, NSP requires Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.

While this system prevents fraudulent applications, technical bugs regularly block genuine students.

Learn full portal features on our NSP Portal Guide.

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How to Fix Face Authentication Errors (Error 904 & 905)

If you see "Error 904", "Camera initialization failed", or continuous spinning loaders, follow this exact troubleshooting checklist:

Use a Supported Android Smartphone:

Face authentication is currently supported on Android OS version 8.0 and above. iOS devices (iPhones) are not supported.

Install Both Required Apps:

You must install two separate apps from the Google Play Store: - Aadhaar FaceRD (developed by UIDAI) - NSP OTR App (developed by NIC)

Check mAadhaar Biometric Lock:

Open the mAadhaar app on your phone. If your biometric lock is active, UIDAI blocks face authentication. Unlock your biometrics before proceeding.

Optimize Lighting and Camera Angle:

Stand in front of a plain wall with natural front lighting. Avoid strong backlight. Hold your camera at eye level and blink naturally when prompted by the app.

Clear App Cache & Data:

If the screen freezes, go to Settings -> Apps -> NSP OTR -> Storage -> Clear Cache, restart your phone, and retry.

Check all required document formats on our NSP Documents Guide.

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Solving OTP Delays & Aadhaar Seeding Issues

Sometimes, face authentication succeeds, but the OTP fails to arrive.

During peak daytime hours (10 AM to 5 PM), NSP and UIDAI servers experience extreme traffic load.

Follow these proven steps to resolve OTP failures:

Apply During Off-Peak Hours: Attempt your registration early in the morning (6 AM to 8 AM) or late at night (after 10 PM) when server latency is lowest.

Verify Aadhaar NPCI Seeding: Ensure your bank account is linked with Aadhaar NPCI. If your bank account is not seeded, DBT payments will fail even after scholarship sanction.

Check DND Settings: Ensure your mobile carrier does not block government transactional SMS alerts under Do Not Disturb settings.

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What to Do If You Lose Your OTR Reference Number

If you completed face authentication but did not note down your 14-digit OTR number:

Open the NSP OTR app and click on "Forgot OTR Number".

Enter your Aadhaar Number and the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

Verify the OTP sent to your phone.

Your OTR number will be displayed on screen and sent via SMS.

Ready to apply for scholarships? Explore the PM Yashasvi Scholarship and Karnataka SSP Scholarship pages for portal guidelines.