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National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026

National Scholarship Portal 2026 — single window for 100+ central + state scholarships. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority/PwD pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means.

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—national-scholarship-portal [2026/05/03 09:24] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(National Scholarship Portal, NSP scholarship, scholarships.gov.in, central scholarship India, post matric scholarship, pre matric scholarship, NSP login, NSP renewal)
 +metatag-description=(National Scholarship Portal 2026 — single window for 100+ central + state scholarships. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority/PwD pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means.)}}
 +
 +====== National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 ======
 +{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
 +
 +**Direct answer.** NSP is the single national portal for **100+ central + state government scholarships**. Pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means, top-class, minority, disability, single-girl-child, defence — all in one login. Apply at **https://scholarships.gov.in**. Aadhaar + bank required. **₹0 application fee.** Annual cycle Sept–Nov; DBT credit Jan–March.
 +
 +===== Quick Answer =====
 +
 +  * Single portal: **https://scholarships.gov.in**
 +  * Login with Aadhaar / Mobile + OTP.
 +  * **Annual cycle**: applications Sept–Nov, DBT Jan–March.
 +  * **Multiple compatible scholarships** in one application form.
 +  * **Helpline**: **0120-6619540** (NSP) / **scholarships-helpdesk@gov.in**.
 +  * **Stuck?** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 RTI in 60 sec]].
 +
 +===== What is NSP =====
 +
 +NSP launched **2015** by Department of Higher Education, MoE. Replaced multiple disjoint scheme-specific portals. Currently lists **100+ scholarships** from **15+ central ministries + every state**.
 +
 +===== Major scholarship types =====
 +
 +==== Pre-matric (Class 1–10) ====
 +
 +  * **Pre-matric SC** (Ministry of Social Justice) — for SC students Class 1–10.
 +  * **Pre-matric ST** (Ministry of Tribal Affairs).
 +  * **Pre-matric OBC** (Ministry of Social Justice).
 +  * **Pre-matric Minority** (Ministry of Minority Affairs) — Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi.
 +  * **Pre-matric Disabilities** (DEPwD).
 +  * Most pay **₹150–550/month** (state schools rate, hostel rate higher).
 +
 +==== Post-matric (Class 11+, College, Higher Education) ====
 +
 +  * **Post-matric SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority/PwD** — for Class 11 onwards.
 +  * Maintenance allowance + course fee + tuition fee.
 +  * Sample: **Post-matric SC** pays ₹230/month (day scholar) to ₹820/month (hostel) + course fees.
 +
 +==== Merit-based ====
 +
 +  * **Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College Students** — top 20 percentile in Class 12, ₹10,000–20,000/year.
 +  * **National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)** — Class 9 onwards, ₹12,000/year.
 +  * **Top Class Education** — for SC/ST/OBC in central institutes (IITs, IIMs, NITs).
 +
 +==== Special category ====
 +
 +  * **National Fellowship for SC/ST/OBC** (UGC-administered) — for MPhil/PhD.
 +  * **Maulana Azad National Fellowship** — minorities, MPhil/PhD.
 +  * **PM Special Scholarship Scheme** — J&K + Ladakh students.
 +  * **National Overseas Scholarship** — for SC/ST/De-notified Tribes for studies abroad.
 +  * **Ishan Uday** — North-East students for graduation.
 +
 +==== Single girl child ====
 +
 +  * **CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child** — Class 11–12.
 +  * State schemes: Bhagya Lakshmi (Karnataka), Ladli Lakshmi (MP), Sukanya Yojana (UP), etc.
 +
 +==== Defence ====
 +
 +  * **PM's Scholarship Scheme for Wards of Armed Forces / CAPF / Police personnel**.
 +
 +===== Who is eligible (general criteria) =====
 +
 +  * **Indian citizen**.
 +  * **Student** in recognised institution (Class 1+, school / college / university).
 +  * **Aadhaar + bank account** in student's name.
 +  * **Income certificate** within scheme cap (varies — typically ₹2.5 lakh for SC/ST pre-matric, ₹4.5 lakh for merit-cum-means, up to ₹8 lakh for some).
 +  * **Caste / Disability / Minority / Domicile** certificate as applicable.
 +
 +===== Documents required =====
 +
 +  - **Aadhaar card** (mobile-linked)
 +  - **Bank passbook** (Aadhaar-seeded, student's name)
 +  - **Income certificate** from Tehsildar/SDM (only valid issuer)
 +  - **Caste / Disability / Minority / Domicile** certificates as applicable
 +  - **Mark sheets** of last qualifying exam
 +  - **Bonafide certificate** from current institution (with Principal seal)
 +  - **Photograph** + **signature** scan
 +  - **Tuition / course fee receipt** (post-matric)
 +
 +===== How to apply =====
 +
 +  - Visit **https://scholarships.gov.in**.
 +  - **First-time**: "Register" → Aadhaar + mobile OTP → set password.
 +  - **Returning**: "Login" with credentials.
 +  - "**Fresh Application**" — pick academic year.
 +  - Fill: personal details, course details, family income, caste, address.
 +  - **Upload documents** (each < 200 KB, PDF/JPG).
 +  - **Choose scholarships** to apply for (system auto-matches eligibility).
 +  - **Submit** → receive **Application ID** (save).
 +  - **Institution verifies** in 15 days.
 +  - **District / State verifies** in 30 days.
 +  - **DBT credit** in Jan–March of academic year.
 +
 +===== Common mistakes =====
 +
 +  * **Late application** — annual deadline is hard. Set calendar alert mid-October.
 +  * **Income certificate from Patwari** (not valid) — use **Tehsildar/SDM-issued** only.
 +  * **Bonafide certificate** missing — for college students, principal-attested bonafide is critical.
 +  * **Aadhaar–bank name mismatch** — single character difference rejects DBT.
 +  * **Multiple bank accounts** — keep one Aadhaar-seeded account for DBT.
 +  * **Skipping institution verification follow-up** — Principal/Office must verify; nudge them in writing.
 +  * **State scholarship claimed twice** — sometimes both NSP central + state portal flag duplicate.
 +
 +===== Latest updates (2026) =====
 +
 +  * **DBT only** since 2024 — no cheques. Aadhaar-seeded bank mandatory.
 +  * **State Scholarship Portals** — Maharashtra (MahaDBT), Karnataka (SSP), Tamil Nadu (Tnsmm) now process state scholarships separately. Apply on both NSP + state portal for full coverage.
 +  * **PFMS integration** — direct fund release via PFMS to bank.
 +  * **Renewal** must be done annually by 31 October — auto-renewal not available.
 +
 +===== FAQ =====
 +
 +==== Can I apply to multiple scholarships in one academic year? ====
 +**Yes** — most are stackable as long as eligibility doesn't conflict. NSP shows compatibility automatically. State + central scholarships often double up.
 +
 +==== My family income is ₹4 lakh. Am I eligible? ====
 +**Depends on scheme**:
 +  * Pre-matric SC/ST: usually ₹2.5–3 lakh cap
 +  * Post-matric SC/ST: ₹2.5–3 lakh
 +  * OBC: ₹1 lakh (very low cap)
 +  * Merit-cum-means: ₹4.5 lakh
 +  * EWS scholarships: ₹8 lakh
 +
 +Use NSP eligibility checker.
 +
 +==== When does the money come to my account? ====
 +**Jan–March** of the academic year, after institution + district + state verifications. If delayed past May → file [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|RTI for sanction status]].
 +
 +==== Do I need to repay scholarship? ====
 +**No** — scholarships are grants. Only **education loans** are repayable.
 +
 +==== Can I switch courses during the year? ====
 +**Renewal blocked** if you change institution/course mid-year without prior approval. Apply for **transfer approval** at the previous institution before moving.
 +
 +==== What if I'm rejected? ====
 +File **First Appeal under §19(1) RTI** to State Welfare Department within 30 days. Or correct the issue (income certificate, bonafide etc.) and reapply next year.
 +
 +==== I'm 25, doing MPhil — am I eligible for any NSP scholarship? ====
 +**Yes** — National Fellowship for SC/ST (UGC), Maulana Azad National Fellowship (minorities), Inspire Fellowship (science). Most have age limit 30 / 35.
 +
 +==== Can I apply if I'm in a private college? ====
 +**Yes** — private colleges affiliated with recognised universities are eligible. Private deemed universities also OK. **Unrecognised private institutes blocked**.
 +
 +===== You may also be eligible for =====
 +
 +  * **[[:education-skill-schemes-india|🎓 Education + skill — full category]]**
 +  * **[[:skill-india-mission|Skill India / PMKVY]]** — vocational
 +  * **[[:pm-evidya|PM eVIDYA]]** — free digital classes
 +  * **[[:start-learning-ai-india|Learn AI from scratch]]**
 +  * **[[:government-jobs-2026|Govt jobs 2026]]**
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * [[https://scholarships.gov.in|National Scholarship Portal]]
 +  * [[https://socialjustice.gov.in|Ministry of Social Justice]]
 +  * [[https://tribal.nic.in|Ministry of Tribal Affairs]]
 +  * [[https://minorityaffairs.gov.in|Ministry of Minority Affairs]]
 +  * [[https://www.education.gov.in|Ministry of Education]]
 +  * Helpline: **0120-6619540**
 +
 +{REVIEWED}
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 3 May 2026.//
 +
 +===== Visual / Infographic prompts =====
 +
 +  * **Infographic concept:** 5-step funnel: Register at scholarships.gov.in → Apply (multiple compatible schemes) → Institution verifies (15 days) → District+State (30 days) → DBT credit Jan-March.
 +
 +==== SVG icon prompts (use any AI image gen) ====
 +  - Minimal portal icon with a rupee + graduation cap.
 +  - Layered scholarship-application stack with checkmarks.
 +  - Bank account with 'DBT' arrow + scholarship amount.
 +
 +==== Feature image prompt ====
 +
 +//Realistic photo of an Indian college student at a laptop applying for scholarship, books and Aadhaar visible, hostel room in background.//
 +
 +
 +{{tag>scholarship NSP education-schemes 2026}}