Introduction
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP), the Government of India's single-window platform for central and state government scholarships, has its application cycle open for the academic year 2026-27. As per the official portal, students can apply for merit-based and welfare-based scholarship schemes, including the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) and the PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This article summarizes the official deadlines and application framework as stated on scholarships.gov.in.
Important Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Ministry of Education / National Scholarship Portal, Government of India |
| Scheme Names | PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College & University Students (CSSS); PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh |
| Academic Year | 2026-27 |
| Application Mode | Online, via One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Category | Merit-based and welfare-based scholarship schemes |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Student application closing date | 31 October 2026 |
| Institute verification closing date | 15 November 2026 |
| L2 (state/ministry) verification closing date | 30 November 2026 |
Eligibility Framework
Per the official portal, students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes for AY 2026-27, subject to each individual scheme's specific eligibility criteria. The NSP hosts multiple scholarship schemes run by different central ministries and departments, so applicants should check the specific eligibility norms of the scheme they intend to apply for on the portal itself.
How to Apply
- Visit the official portal: scholarships.gov.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) — a unique 14-digit number issued based on your Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). OTR is mandatory to apply for scholarships on NSP from AY 2024-25 onward.
- Log in using your OTR credentials.
- Select the applicable merit-based scheme (only one allowed) and any relevant welfare-based scheme(s).
- Fill in personal, academic, and bank account details as required.
- Upload the necessary supporting documents per the selected scheme's requirements.
- Submit the application before the student closing date of 31 October 2026.
- Track your application status and respond to any institute/L2 verification queries promptly.
Official Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply / Registration | scholarships.gov.in |
| All Scholarships List | scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NSP scholarships for 2026-27? The student application closing date is 31 October 2026, as stated on the official portal.
Q2. Is One Time Registration (OTR) mandatory for NSP scholarships? Yes. OTR, a 14-digit number linked to your Aadhaar/Aadhaar Enrolment ID, is mandatory to apply from AY 2024-25 onward.
Q3. How many scholarship schemes can I apply for on NSP? You may apply for one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes, subject to each scheme's eligibility criteria.
Q4. What happens after the student application deadline? Institute verification closes on 15 November 2026, followed by L2 (state/ministry-level) verification closing on 30 November 2026.
Q5. Where can I check the full list of available scholarships? The complete list is available at scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships.
Q6. Which ministry runs the National Scholarship Portal? NSP is run under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and hosts scholarship schemes from multiple central ministries and departments.
