How to Apply for Scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Complete Guide (2025)

Education is one of the strongest foundations for a successful life, but in India, millions of talented students face financial challenges that prevent them from pursuing their dreams. To bridge this gap, the Government of India launched the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)—a single digital platform where students from different categories, classes, and regions can apply for a wide range of scholarships.

The NSP has become one of the largest scholarship platforms in the country, offering opportunities for students from Class 1 up to Ph.D. level. In 2025, the portal is even more user-friendly and transparent, ensuring that every eligible student has a fair chance at receiving support.

This blog will serve as a step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships on NSP, explain eligibility, benefits, and give you tips to maximize your chances of success.

🎯 What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)?

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is an initiative under the Digital India program of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It serves as a one-stop solution for:

• Applying for scholarships. 
• Tracking applications in real time. 
• Verifying documents digitally. 
• Receiving scholarship funds directly into the bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 

Instead of applying separately for each scholarship through multiple websites, students can simply register once on NSP and access hundreds of scholarships run by the Central Government, State Governments, and various Ministries/Departments.

📌 Key Benefits of NSP for Students

1. Single Platform Access – No need to visit multiple portals or offices. 
2. Transparency – Clear information about eligibility, benefits, and deadlines. 
3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – No middlemen; funds are credited directly to your bank account. 
4. Wide Range of Scholarships – Covers merit-based, means-based, minority, SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and disability scholarships. 
5. Application Tracking – You can check the live status of your application anytime. 
6. Reduced Paperwork – Most processes are online, reducing the burden of physical documents. 

🏫 Who Can Apply on NSP?

The NSP hosts scholarships for:

• School Students (Class 1 to 12). 
• College Students (UG, PG, Ph.D.). 
• Technical & Professional Courses (Engineering, Law, Medicine, MBA, ITI, Diploma). 
• Special Categories (Minorities, SC/ST/OBC, Economically Weaker Section, Students with Disabilities, Single Girl Child, etc.). 

Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria, usually based on:

• Family income limit. 
• Caste/community. 
• Academic performance. 
• Educational institution. 

🗂️ Documents Required for NSP Scholarship Application

Before applying, students should keep scanned copies of essential documents ready:

• Aadhaar Card (mandatory in most cases). 
• Bank Passbook (with IFSC code). 
• Income Certificate. 
• Caste/Community Certificate (if applicable). 
• Bonafide Certificate from school/college. 
• Previous year’s Marksheet. 
• Passport-size Photograph. 
• Domicile Certificate. 
• Disability Certificate (for differently-abled students). 

🖥️ Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Scholarships on NSP

Step 1: Registration on NSP

1. Visit the official website – https://scholarships.gov.in. 
2. Click on “New Registration”. 
3. Read the guidelines carefully and check eligibility. 
4. Fill in required details: 
   • Name, Date of Birth, Gender. 
   • Aadhaar Number (or Enrollment ID). 
   • Mobile number and Email ID. 
   • Bank account details (student’s or parent’s if student is minor). 
5. Create a unique Application ID and password. 
6. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile/email for verification. 

Step 2: Logging into NSP Portal

1. Go to Login (Fresh/Renewal). 
2. Enter your Application ID & Password. 
3. A dashboard will appear with available scholarships based on your eligibility. 

Step 3: Selecting the Right Scholarship Scheme

1. Browse through the scholarships listed under: 
   • Central Schemes. 
   • State Schemes. 
   • UGC/AICTE Schemes. 
2. Select the scheme for which you are eligible. 
3. Carefully read the guidelines, amount, eligibility, and last date before proceeding. 

Step 4: Filling the Scholarship Application Form

1. Enter personal details (name, DOB, Aadhaar, bank details). 
2. Enter educational details (institution, marks, course, roll number). 
3. Upload required documents in PDF/JPEG format. 
4. Re-check all details to avoid rejection. 

Step 5: Submitting the Application

1. Click on Final Submit. 
2. Once submitted, no changes can be made. 
3. A confirmation slip will be generated—download/print it for reference. 

Step 6: Institute Verification

• After submission, your application goes to the school/college for verification. 
• The institute confirms details and approves it. 
• Then it moves to District/State level verification. 

Step 7: Track Application Status

• Go to “Check Your Status” option. 
• Enter your Application ID and Date of Birth. 
• You can see whether your form is under institute verification, district verification, or sanctioned. 

Step 8: Scholarship Disbursement

• Once approved, the amount is transferred directly to your bank account via DBT. 
• Students get SMS/email notifications about the credit. 

📊 Categories of Scholarships Available on NSP (2025)

1. Central Government Scholarships

• Ministry of Minority Affairs Scholarships. 
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 
• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. 
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 

2. State Government Scholarships

• Every state uploads its own schemes on NSP. 
• Examples: UP Post-Matric Scholarship, Bihar Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana, Maharashtra Government Scholarships. 

3. UGC/AICTE Scholarships

• AICTE Pragati Scholarship (for girls). 
• AICTE Saksham Scholarship (for differently-abled students). 
• UGC PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child. 
• UGC Ishan Uday for students of North Eastern Region. 

💡 Tips to Increase Chances of Getting a Scholarship

1. Apply Early – Don’t wait till the last date; servers often get overloaded. 
2. Check Eligibility Properly – Apply only for schemes where you qualify. 
3. Keep Documents Updated – Ensure Aadhaar, bank details, income certificates are valid. 
4. Avoid Errors – Small mistakes like wrong IFSC code can delay or reject applications. 
5. Renew on Time – Many scholarships are renewable yearly; keep track of deadlines. 
6. Use the Helpdesk – NSP has a dedicated support system for queries—don’t hesitate to reach out. 

🔍 Common Mistakes Students Make on NSP

• Submitting wrong bank account details. 
• Uploading blurred/incorrect documents. 
• Applying for multiple schemes where not eligible. 
• Not checking application status regularly. 
• Missing renewal deadlines. 

📞 NSP Helpline & Support

• Helpline Number: 0120 – 6619540 
• Email Support: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in 
• Live Chat: Available on the official website during working hours. 

🌟 Why Every Student Should Use NSP

• Easy Access to Scholarships: Hundreds of schemes at your fingertips. 
• Fair Chance: Transparent system ensures equal opportunity. 
• Direct Benefit Transfer: Eliminates corruption and delays. 
• Support for All Levels: From school to Ph.D., from minorities to meritorious—scholarships are for everyone. 

✅ Final Thoughts

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has truly revolutionized the way students in India apply for scholarships. Instead of running pillar to post, students can now register, apply, and receive funds online with just a few clicks.

If you are a student or a parent, you should definitely make use of NSP. Whether you belong to a minority, SC/ST/OBC category, economically weaker section, or are simply a meritorious student, there is at least one scholarship for you on the portal.

👉 Remember: Applying early, filling correct details, and tracking your status regularly are the keys to successfully receiving scholarships.

Education is not just about marks—it’s about opportunities. And in 2025, the National Scholarship Portal is making sure no deserving student in India is left behind.