NSP One-Time Registration (OTR) 2026-27: Step-by-Step Face Authentication Guide

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Key Takeaways for NSP OTR 2026-27:

- A unique 14-digit NSP One-Time Registration (OTR) ID is mandatory for all students applying for Central Sector, UGC, AICTE, and Ministry schemes on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).

- OTR generation requires Aadhaar Face Authentication using the official NSP OTR App and AadhaarFaceRD App from Google Play Store.

- Once generated, your NSP OTR ID remains valid throughout your academic career across all post-matric and higher education schemes.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) introduced NSP OTR to streamline scholarship distribution and prevent duplicate applications across central government ministries. Students pursuing school, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies must complete OTR before submitting scheme-specific applications.

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Technical Prerequisites for NSP OTR Registration

Before launching the mobile app, ensure the following setup requirements are met:

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Step-by-Step NSP OTR Generation Procedure

Follow this step-by-step workflow to generate your 14-digit OTR number:

Step 1: App Installation & Permissions

1. Open Google Play Store on your Android mobile device.
2. Search and install NSP OTR (developed by National Informatics Centre).
3. Search and install AadhaarFaceRD (developed by Unique Identification Authority of India - UIDAI).
4. Launch the NSP OTR app and grant camera and location permissions.

Step 2: Mobile & Aadhaar Authentication

1. Tap on Apply for OTR on the home screen.
2. Enter your 10-digit mobile number and click Send OTP.
3. Enter the 6-digit OTP received via SMS.
4. Input your 12-digit Aadhaar Number or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID).

Step 3: Face Authentication & OTR Generation

1. Select Face Authentication as your verification method.
2. The app automatically triggers the Aadhaar FaceRD camera interface.
3. Position your face inside the oval frame in a well-lit room and blink eyes when prompted.
4. Upon successful face match, your Aadhaar demographic details (Name, DOB, Gender, Address) will auto-populate.
5. Review the information and click Generate OTR.
6. Your 14-digit OTR Reference Number will display on screen and be sent via SMS.

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How to Apply for Schemes Using NSP OTR ID

Once your 14-digit OTR ID is active:

1. Visit the web portal at https://scholarships.gov.in.
2. Click Fresh Application 2026-27 and enter your OTR Reference Number.
3. Verify the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
4. Access the student dashboard to view eligible central schemes (e.g. PM-YASASVI, Central Sector Scheme for University Students, AICTE Pragati/Swanath).
5. Select your target scheme, upload marksheets and institute fee receipts, and submit the final form.

For scheme details, check out the official NSP OTR Scheme Page and state hub portals.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What to Do If Face Authentication Fails Repeatedly?

Ensure you are standing against a plain background with natural light facing your face. Avoid glare or dark shadows. Alternatively, visit an authorized Common Service Centre (CSC) for biometric fingerprint authentication.

2. Can Students Without Aadhaar Card Apply for NSP OTR?

Students residing in Meghalaya, Assam, or Jammu & Kashmir (or those with pending Aadhaar enrollment) can apply using their Aadhaar Enrollment ID (EID) or Bonafide Student Certificate issued by their institute.

3. How Can Applicants Track Application Status Online?

Log in to scholarships.gov.in using your 14-digit OTR ID and password, then click Track Application to monitor Institute Nodal Officer (INO) and State Nodal Officer (SNO) verification stages.