NSP Registration Guidelines 2026: A Complete Guide

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the academic year 2026-27 is accepting applications from June 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026. It is a centralised digital platform under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), bringing together central, state, and Union Territory scholarship schemes in one place for students from Class 1 to PhD level.

To access any scholarship on NSP, students must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process. The OTR generates a unique 14-digit number based on the student’s Aadhaar, which remains valid throughout their entire academic career, removing the need to re-register each year. This article provides a step-by-step guide to NSP registration for 2026-27, helping students complete the process accurately and apply for scholarships without difficulty.

What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)?

The National Scholarship Portal is a digital platform developed by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) for disbursing scholarships and fellowships. It covers a wide range of scholarships offered by central and state governments, as well as other agencies. Students from Class 1 to post-graduate levels can avail themselves of various scholarships available through this portal. 

Who Can Register on the National Scholarship Portal?

The NSP registration process is open to students from different academic levels and backgrounds. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility for registration –

• Indian nationals only.
• Students pursuing education from Class 1 to PG levels.
• Students enrolled in government-recognized institutions or universities.

Note- Government and private institutions that wish to register students for scholarships can also do so. The institutions must be recognized by the Government and affiliated with the necessary authorities.

NSP Registration Guidelines – Step-by-Step Registration Process

The registration process on NSP is straightforward, but it’s essential to follow each step carefully. For your convenience we have split this section into two parts. Here’s how you can register on the portal –

Generating Reference Number on NSP

Step 1- Visit the official National Scholarship Portal website and click on ‘Login’.

Step 2 – Since you’re a new user, click on ‘Register Yourself’

Step 3 – Read the general instructions and proceed ahead.

Step 4 – Next, you need to register your mobile number.

Step 5 – Next, students will have to update their eKYC. Students will have to choose from ‘I have an Aadhaar’, ‘Aadhaar not assigned (I have EID)’, or ‘Guardian Aadhaar Number’ to proceed ahead.

Step 6 – Once you fill in all the details and click on verify, you will be able to fill in the basic information. 

Step 7 – Once you complete this step, you will receive a reference number that will help you generate the OTR. 

Performing Face-Authentication to Get OTR

Step 1 – Search and install NSP OTR app & AadhaarFaceRD app on Google Play Store.

Step 2 – Open the NSP app and click on eKYC by FaceAuth.

Step 3 – Enter reference No. and click on Send OTP. Type the OTP received, enter captcha, and click on ‘NEXT’.

Step 4 – Click on ‘Proceed for Face Authentication’.

Step 5 – After you’ve authenticated your face, your OTR number will be generated. 

Also Read – NSP Login 2026

NSP Registration Guidelines – Points to Remember

One must always pay attention to these points while registering on the NSP portal –

• Aadhaar is required for generation of OTR.
• OTR is mandatory to apply for PRE-Matric and POST-Matric SC Scholarships and will be valid for the entire academic career of the student.
• In case Aadhaar is not assigned to the students, they can generate OTR with EID, however they have to update their Aadhaar details within one month.
• In case if minor students do not have Aadhaar, they can apply from their parent/legal guardian’s Aadhaar.
• Only one OTR ID is allowed per student. In case of parent/legal guardian Aadhaar, two OTRs (for two children) are allowed.
• In case more than one OTR is found for a student, that student would be debarred from scholarships.

Also Read – NSP Registration 2026

NSP Registration Guidelines – Why OTR is Important?

Here are the salient features of OTR. take a look –

• With One-Time Registration (OTR), students can apply for the scholarships when they go live on the NSP portal.
• Only an active and valid mobile number is required for OTR generation, and no fees are required.
• OTR eliminates the need for repetitive registrations in forthcoming academic years.
• The OTR system streamlines and ensures that there is no duplicate identity hovering on the internet of the student. 

Also Read – National Scholarship 2026 

Documents Required for NSP Registration

Once you’ve successfully registered to the NSP portal, you can begin with the application process and apply for the scholarships you are eligible for. Since applying for the scholarships requires students to submit some documents, here’s a detailed checklist. Take a look –

• Android based active mobile number
• Your basic details like name, gender, date of birth, father’s name, mother’s name, and  domicile state.
• School/ Institute enrolment number
• Class 10 details such as roll no, percentage and class marksheet (If applicable)
• Class 12 details such as roll no, percentage, and marksheet (If applicable)
• Competitive exam details such as exam name (If qualified), exam roll no (If any), exam year (If any)
• Ration Card/ PPPID Details
• UDID No (In case of disability)
• Complete address
• Domicile Certificates (If applicable)
• Aadhaar details such as Aadhaar number, Mobile number linked with Aadhaar, Aadhaar Card (If applicable), NPCI Seeding status (desired)
• If you don’t have an Aadhaar, you need to submit the details of your active mobile number, Aadhaar enrolment slip or Parent’s/Legal Guardian’s Aadhaar (in case student is minor), Mobile number linked with EID or Parent’s Aadhaar, or NPCI Seeding status (desired).

FAQs

How can I register on NSP?

To register on the National Scholarship Portal, visit the official NSP website, create a new account, and fill in the required details. Once you’ve received the OTR number, you can log in to the NSP portal and fill the scholarship application form and upload the necessary documents.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships under NSP?

Yes, students can apply for multiple scholarships under NSP, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each scholarship. However, a student can only receive one scholarship from the government at a time. Check NSP for more details.

What should I do if I face issues while registering on NSP?

If you face issues while registering on NSP, check for errors in the information you entered (e.g., incorrect Aadhar details or missing documents). If the problem persists, contact the NSP helpdesk or refer to the FAQs section on the portal for assistance.

When can I apply for NSP scholarships?

NSP scholarships registration is currently open from June 1, 2026 and the last date to apply is October 31, 2026.

Why is OTR important for applying for scholarships on NSP?

OTR (One Time Registration) safeguards your personal and academic details for future applications, gives access to multiple scholarships without re-entering information, and prevents duplicate applications.