NSP scholarship apply online 2026-27: one merit scheme, OTR
On the National Scholarship Portal for 2026-27 a student may apply for one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes. You need a 14-digit OTR from Aadhaar first. The portal opened on 1 June 2026, CSSS renewals close on 31 October 2026, and the DEPwD FAQ sets 200KB per PDF or JPEG.
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For 2026-27 you can apply to one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, and you need an OTR before you start. The portal has been open for the 2026-27 year since 1 June 2026, so the work now is getting the OTR, Aadhaar and files right.
What the NSP home page says right now
| Item | What NSP shows |
|---|---|
| Portal open for 2026-27 | From 1 June 2026 |
| Merit-based schemes | Apply to only one |
| Welfare-based schemes | One or more |
| CSSS renewal, student | Closes 31 Oct 2026 |
| CSSS renewal, institute | Closes 15 Nov 2026 |
| CSSS renewal, level 2 | Closes 30 Nov 2026 |
| Document file size (DEPwD FAQ) | PDF or JPEG, up to 200KB each |
Source: National Scholarship Portal home page notice for academic year 2026-27 and the DEPwD scheme FAQ (checked October 2026). The three closing dates are for renewals of PM-USP (CSSS) and the PM-USP Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh scheme only. The home page gives no single last date for fresh applications, so read the date on your own scheme's page.
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Why the one merit scheme rule matters
From AY 2026-27 NSP says a student may apply for one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes, as per each scheme's eligibility. Pick your merit scheme first and treat it as the only one. The welfare-based ones can sit alongside it.
The home page does not list which scheme falls in which group. Open the scheme's own page on NSP and read its guidelines before you choose.
Get your OTR first
An OTR is a 14-digit number built from your Aadhaar or Aadhaar enrolment ID. It is needed to apply from AY 2024-25 and stays valid for your whole academic career, so you generate it once. Students who already have one only need to log in.
- Install the NSP OTR app from Google Play and start the registration.
- Complete face authentication for the student, and for the parent or guardian where the app asks.
- Note the 14-digit OTR and log in on scholarships.gov.in.
- Choose your scheme, fill the form and upload documents.
If face authentication fails with error 904, NSP asks you to update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store. If it fails for no clear reason, check that your biometrics are not locked: the status must be "Unlocked" in the mAadhaar app or on myAadhaar. NSP services are also available at Common Service Centres, where the total charge for the whole activity is fixed at Rs 30.
Check Aadhaar seeding before the money is due
A scholarship is paid to a bank account seeded with Aadhaar. The home page links a "Check Aadhaar Seeding Status" option and tells students that NPCI has launched the BASE platform for seeding and de-seeding. Do this check now, not after the verification stage, so a seeding problem does not block the payment later.
Disabled students have one extra step: log in to the UDID portal first and give consent to share UDID details, otherwise NSP will not let you submit.
Common mistakes before you submit
- Selecting two merit-based schemes. Only one is allowed.
- Scanning documents at full phone resolution and hitting the size wall at upload. See the NSP document size guide for the 200KB rule and how to reach it.
- Waiting for the last day. Your institute and then level 2 verify the form, and for the CSSS renewal each of those stages has only about two weeks. The CSSS renewal post has that timeline.
- Uploading a blurry scan that is under the limit but unreadable. Keep text sharp, as explained in the scholarship season document checklist.
Checklist before you submit
- OTR generated and noted.
- Aadhaar seeding status checked for your bank account.
- One merit scheme chosen, welfare schemes added as needed.
- Every document is a PDF or JPEG, readable, and within the size your scheme shows.
- Form printed or saved after submission.
Tools for this
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply on NSP?
The home page notice gives dates only for renewals of PM-USP (CSSS): 31 October 2026 for students, 15 November 2026 for institute verification and 30 November 2026 for level 2. For a fresh application, read the closing date on your own scheme's page, because there is no single date for all schemes.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship on NSP?
Yes, within a limit. From AY 2026-27 NSP says you may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes, as per each scheme's eligibility.
National scholarship portal login kaise kare?
Pehle OTR banao: 14-digit number jo Aadhaar ya Aadhaar enrolment ID se banta hai. NSP OTR app se face authentication karo, phir scholarships.gov.in par OTR se login karo. OTR poore academic career ke liye valid rehta hai.
Which documents do I need for the NSP scholarship form?
The list depends on the scheme, so open its guidelines on NSP. Whatever the list, NSP's DEPwD FAQ asks for PDF or JPEG files of up to 200KB each that are readable. Disabled students must also give UDID consent first.
Why does face authentication fail for my OTR?
NSP names two causes. Error 904 means the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app needs an update from the Play Store. A failure can also mean the Aadhaar holder has locked biometrics, so set them to Unlocked on mAadhaar or myAadhaar and try again.
How do I check Aadhaar seeding for my scholarship?
The NSP home page has a Check Aadhaar Seeding Status link that opens myAadhaar, and a note that NPCI's BASE platform handles seeding and de-seeding. Check it before verification so the payment is not held up.
Sources
- National Scholarship Portal, home page notices for AY 2026-27 (checked 2026-10)
- National Scholarship Portal, FAQs for DEPwD scholarships (checked 2026-10)
Rules and limits change. Always check the latest official notification or portal before you submit a form.