NSP Scholarship 2026-27 Registration Opens: Complete OTR & Biometric Guide

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has opened the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the 2026–27 academic year.

Students enrolled in pre-matric, post-matric, higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses can now register online.

Central ministries, UGC, and AICTE have begun receiving applications under major national financial aid schemes.

Mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR) Requirement

All applicants must generate a unique 14-digit OTR reference number before applying for individual schemes.

The OTR system replaces repeated annual student registrations with a single lifetime credential.

Students must download the AadhaarFaceAuth and NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store on an Android device to verify identity.

Detailed instructions for central schemes can be viewed on our Central Sector Scholarship Page.

Key Central Schemes Active on the Portal

1. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS):

Awarded by the Department of Higher Education for top 20th percentile board exam scorers.

1. Ishan Uday Special Scholarship for North Eastern Region:

Administered by University Grants Commission for students from North Eastern states pursuing general degree or technical courses. Review guidelines on the Ishan Uday Scholarship Page.

1. AICTE Technical Education Grants:

Includes Pragati Scholarship for Girls and Saksham Scholarship for differently abled technical students.

Explore comprehensive step-by-step instructions on our dedicated National Scholarship Portal Guide.

Related Scholarship Portals & Money Pages

For complete scheme requirements, income criteria, and application assistance, check our verified resources:

• Central Sector Scheme: Review full eligibility and renewal rules on the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship.
• North East Grants: Check document checklists and stipend amounts on the Ishan Uday Scholarship.
• Master Portal Guide: Access troubleshooting steps and login procedures on the NSP Portal Guide.

Detailed Step-by-Step OTR Application Procedure

To register on the National Scholarship Portal without face authentication or verification errors, follow this structured procedural checklist:

1. Download Required Mobile Applications:

• Install the official AadhaarFaceRD service from the UIDAI repository.
• Install the official NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store.

1. Aadhaar Verification & Face Authentication:

• Open the NSP OTR App and enter your active mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
• Enter the OTP received via SMS.
• Consent to UIDAI Aadhaar authentication.
• Align your face in front of the camera in good lighting.
• Blink when prompted to complete the liveness check.

1. Generate 14-Digit OTR Number:

• Upon successful face verification, the portal generates your 14-digit OTR ID.
• A default password is sent to your registered mobile number via SMS.

1. Portal Login & Scheme Selection:

• Visit the official NSP website at scholarships.gov.in.
• Click on Apply for Scholarship (Academic Year 2026-27).
• Log in using your 14-digit OTR reference number and password.
• Complete academic enrollment details and choose your eligible scheme.

1. Document Submission & Institute Verification:

• Upload fee receipts, income certificates, and previous year marksheets in PDF format.
• Submit the application form online.
• Print the final submission receipt and submit a physical copy to your college nodal officer.

[!IMPORTANT]

Bank Account NPCI Seeding: Ensure your savings bank account is mapped with your Aadhaar number in the NPCI mapper. Scholarship disbursements will only be credited through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the last date to complete NSP 2026-27 registration?

Portal registrations for central schemes remain active from August through October 31, 2026. Institutional verification continues through November 15, 2026.

2. Is Aadhaar card mandatory for NSP registration?

Yes. Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for all applicants. Students without Aadhaar must register using their Aadhaar Enrolment Identification (EID) slip or parent Aadhaar details where permitted.

3. How can students resolve face authentication failure on mobile?

Ensure sufficient front lighting, clean camera lens, and keep eyes steady. If mobile face authentication fails repeatedly, students can complete biometric verification at their nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).