National Scholarship Portal 2025-26: NSP 2.0 Portal, Fees, Eligibility, Last Date, Application Status
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is one of those things every student in India hears about at some point. And for a good reason. It’s a single platform where you can apply for dozens of scholarships—some run by the central government, some by states, and others supported by organisations like UGC. The 2025-26 session has already started, and NSP 2.0 (the updated version) is active with a few new features. Let’s go step by step so you know exactly what to expect.
So, what exactly is NSP 2.0?
Think of it as an upgraded version of the old portal. The big change is the One Time Registration (OTR). Instead of signing up again and again for different scholarships, you register once and get a unique OTR ID. That ID sticks with you. Saves time, avoids confusion.
They’ve also tightened Aadhaar verification. You’ll need to link your Aadhaar or enrollment ID properly. It sounds like an extra step, but it makes the process smoother later. And a nice little feature—based on your details, the system suggests scholarships you might be eligible for.
The official website is scholarships.gov.in. Bookmark it because there are fake look-alike sites around.
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on the scheme, but here are the broad rules:
Students from school (class 1 upwards) to post-graduate level can apply.
Categories covered include SC, ST, OBC, EBC, minorities, and students with disabilities.
Family income cap: Many programs say annual income should be under a certain limit, often ₹2.5 lakh or ₹8 lakh, depending on the scheme.
Academic performance: Most scholarships want a minimum score. Usually around 50% or more in your previous exam.
Domicile: For state scholarships, you need to be a resident of that state.
So if you’re wondering, “Do I even qualify?” the short answer is—most students will find at least one scheme they fit into.
Any fees involved?
Nope. The application is free. If anyone asks for payment, you’re either on the wrong site or dealing with a scam. What you do need are proper documents: income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), bank account details, Aadhaar, and of course, your mark sheets.
Deadlines you should know
The deadlines vary depending on the scheme. For 2025-26, here are some important ones:
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (pre-matric & post-matric): last date 30 September 2025.
Ishan Uday and other higher education scholarships: around 31 October 2025.
Minority scholarships: mostly closing in October 2025 as well.
Don’t wait until the very last day. The portal sometimes slows down when thousands of students rush to apply. And yes, I know we all procrastinate, but here it’s risky.
Step-by-step application
Here’s how to apply without getting lost:
Go to scholarships.gov.in.
New user? Click on “New Registration” and generate your OTR ID.
Fill in personal details carefully—name (as per Aadhaar), date of birth, address, phone.
Enter bank account details. Double-check them; one wrong digit and the money won’t reach.
Upload scanned documents (income certificate, caste certificate, Aadhaar, etc.).
Choose the scholarship scheme from the list.
Submit. Save the application ID—you’ll need it later.
It’s not difficult, but it does take patience. The document size limits can be annoying, so keep smaller file versions ready.
Checking your status
After submitting, don’t just forget about it. You can track what’s happening:
Log back into the portal.
Go to “Track Application Status.”
Enter your Application ID.
You’ll see whether your application is “Under Review,” “Defective,” or “Approved.” If it’s defective, fix the issue quickly. Sometimes it’s as small as a blurry document or a mismatch in your name.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Entering the wrong bank details. Believe it or not, this is the most common error.
Waiting until the last day. The site may crash, and then you’re stuck.
Uploading unclear or oversized documents. Resize them beforehand.
Skipping small details like state of domicile—sounds trivial, but can lead to rejection.
Types of scholarships on NSP
There are dozens, but here are some popular categories:
Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, minorities, and students with disabilities.
Merit-cum-means scholarships for technical and professional courses.
UGC/AICTE schemes for college students.
Central sector schemes from various ministries.
State schemes—these differ from state to state but are all accessible via NSP.
Final thoughts
The National Scholarship Portal 2025-26 is not just another government website; it’s a lifeline for lakhs of students. If you prepare your documents, register early, and keep checking your application status, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress.
And one last tip—always rely on the official website: scholarships.gov.in. Don’t trust random links that promise “quick approval.”
So, if you’ve been thinking about applying, don’t overthink. Just get your details together and start. A small step now could mean real financial help for your studies later.