National Scholarship Portal 2026-27: Scholarships, Eligibility & Last Date

By Sentpo Education Team • October 7, 2026 • Uncategorized

National Scholarship Portal 2026-27: Scholarships Open Now, Eligibility, Deadlines & How to Apply

Updated: October 2026

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is now accepting applications for several scholarship schemes for the 2026-27 academic year. Many major schemes currently have a student application deadline of 31 October 2026.

Students looking for financial support for school, college, technical education, postgraduate studies and other higher-education programmes can explore eligible scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal 2026-27.

The portal brings together scholarship schemes offered by various central government ministries, departments and organisations. However, eligibility, benefits and deadlines differ from one scheme to another.

⚠️ Important: Many NSP Applications Close on 31 October 2026

Several important scholarship schemes currently listed on NSP show 31 October 2026 as the student application deadline. Students should not wait until the final day because applications may also require institutional and government verification.

What is the National Scholarship Portal?

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the Government of India’s online platform for scholarship applications under various central government ministries and departments.

Instead of applying separately through multiple government websites, eligible students can use NSP to discover and apply for participating scholarship schemes.

The 2026-27 portal lists scholarships from organisations including the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and other government bodies.

National Scholarship Portal 2026-27: Important Dates

ParticularDate
NSP 2026-27 portal opening1 June 2026
UGC PG Scholarship applications16 September 2026 onwards
Student application deadline for many schemes31 October 2026
Defective application verification15 November 2026
Institute verification15 November 2026
DNO/SNO/MNO verification30 November 2026

Note: Deadlines can vary between individual scholarship schemes. Always check the specific scheme listing on the official NSP before applying.

Scholarships Currently Listed on NSP 2026-27

The National Scholarship Portal currently lists a wide range of opportunities for students at different levels of education. Some of the important schemes include:

1. National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies

The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is a UGC scholarship for eligible postgraduate students. The scheme is currently listed on NSP for 2026-27.

Provider: University Grants Commission (UGC)
Application deadline: 31 October 2026
Target audience: Eligible postgraduate students

Students should review the current scheme specifications on NSP to confirm the applicable eligibility conditions.

2. AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girl Students

The AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme is intended for eligible girl students pursuing technical education. The technical degree version is currently listed on NSP for 2026-27.

Provider: AICTE
Target group: Eligible girl students pursuing technical degree programmes
Deadline: 31 October 2026

Students should verify the approved course, institution and other eligibility requirements before applying.

3. AICTE Saksham Scholarship

The AICTE Saksham Scholarship is available through NSP for eligible students pursuing technical education. Separate provisions exist for eligible technical degree and diploma students.

Provider: AICTE
Deadline shown for relevant 2026-27 schemes: 31 October 2026

Students should check the current NSP scheme listing for detailed eligibility conditions.

4. AICTE Swanath Scholarship

The AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme is available for eligible students pursuing technical degree and diploma programmes.

Provider: AICTE
Target group: Eligible technical degree and diploma students
Deadline: 31 October 2026

5. PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

The PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is another important scheme listed on NSP.

For 2026-27, the NSP listing includes renewal applications, with the student application deadline shown as 31 October 2026.

Students applying for renewal should carefully check the applicable renewal conditions.

6. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is listed on NSP for eligible school students.

Application deadline shown on NSP: 31 October 2026

Parents and students should verify the current eligibility requirements before applying.

7. Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

NSP currently lists several scholarship schemes for students with disabilities, including:

  • Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
  • Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
  • Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities

The current listings show 31 October 2026 as the student application deadline for these schemes.

Important: The NSP currently states that students with disabilities must log in to the UDID portal and provide consent for sharing their UDID details before submitting the scholarship application.

8. Top Class Education Scholarship for SC Students

The Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students is listed on NSP for 2026-27.

Application deadline shown on NSP: 31 October 2026

Students should check the current eligibility and institution requirements on the official portal.

9. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs lists the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students on NSP.

The scholarship component is currently listed for 2026-27 with a student application deadline of 31 October 2026.

10. ICAR Scholarships

Students pursuing agriculture and related programmes can also find several ICAR-linked opportunities on NSP.

  • ICAR National Talent Scholarship (NTS-UG)
  • ICAR Post Graduate Scholarship (PGS)
  • ICAR National Talent Scholarship (NTS-PG)
  • ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
  • ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)

The current NSP listings show 31 October 2026 as the student application deadline for these schemes.

Who Can Apply Through NSP?

There is no single eligibility rule for the National Scholarship Portal because each scholarship has its own criteria.

Depending on the scheme, eligibility may depend on:

  • Academic performance
  • Current course or level of study
  • Type of institution
  • Family income
  • Category
  • Gender
  • Disability status
  • Domicile or state
  • Type of technical or professional programme
  • Fresh or renewal application status
Remember: Registration on NSP does not automatically make a student eligible for every scholarship. Always read the eligibility conditions for the specific scheme.

Can Students Apply for More Than One Scholarship on NSP?

From academic year 2026-27, the NSP states that students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes, subject to the eligibility conditions of the respective schemes.

Students should still carefully read the conditions of each scholarship before applying. Applying for multiple scholarships does not necessarily mean that a student will receive multiple awards.

What is NSP One-Time Registration (OTR)?

One-Time Registration (OTR) is a mandatory registration requirement for students applying for scholarships through NSP.

NSP describes OTR as a unique number allotted to a candidate that remains applicable throughout their academic career.

Tip: If you have not generated your OTR yet, start the process early rather than waiting until the scholarship deadline.

How to Apply for a Scholarship Through NSP

Step 1: Visit the official NSP website

Go to scholarships.gov.in and use the official portal.

Step 2: Complete OTR

Generate your One-Time Registration number if you do not already have one.

Step 3: Log in to NSP

Use the applicable login method provided on the portal.

Step 4: Find the appropriate scholarship

Review the scholarship listings and identify schemes for which you may qualify.

Step 5: Check eligibility

Read the official scheme requirements carefully before proceeding.

Step 6: Complete the application

Enter your personal, academic and other required information accurately.

Step 7: Provide required documents

Upload or provide the documents and information requested by the particular scheme.

Step 8: Verify your details

Check every detail carefully before submitting the application.

Step 9: Submit before the deadline

Many current 2026-27 schemes have a student application deadline of 31 October 2026.

Step 10: Track verification

Keep checking your application status after submission because the application may need institutional and government verification.

What Documents May Be Required?

The exact documents depend on the scholarship. Students may be asked for:

  • Aadhaar details
  • OTR details
  • Academic records
  • Admission or enrolment details
  • Bank account information
  • Income certificate
  • Caste/category certificate, where applicable
  • Disability/UDID details, where applicable
  • Domicile or other supporting documents
  • Institution-related information
Important: Do not assume that every scholarship requires the same documents. Follow the document requirements shown for the specific scheme on NSP.

Don’t Wait Until 31 October

The deadline of 31 October 2026 applies to a significant number of schemes currently listed on NSP, but students should not treat it as a universal deadline for every scholarship.

More importantly, the student application deadline is only one part of the process. Applications may subsequently go through institute and government verification.

Important Deadline
31 October 2026
Student application deadline for many NSP schemes

Can Students Apply Through a CSC?

Yes. The NSP provides services through Common Service Centres (CSCs). Students who have difficulty completing the online process can consider using a nearby CSC.

The NSP states that the total charge for the listed scholarship-related services is fixed at ₹30 per candidate, inclusive of applicable taxes.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

1. Waiting until the last day

Technical problems, authentication issues or missing documents can delay an application.

2. Ignoring eligibility

NSP contains many different schemes. Eligibility for one does not mean eligibility for another.

3. Entering incorrect information

Incorrect or false information can result in rejection.

4. Forgetting OTR

OTR is required for scholarship applications.

5. Ignoring verification

Submitting the application does not necessarily mean the scholarship has been approved.

6. Using unofficial websites

Always verify scholarship information through official government sources.

National Scholarship Portal 2026-27: Key Takeaways

The National Scholarship Portal is currently open for the 2026-27 academic year, with several important scholarships accepting applications.

The most important deadline currently visible across many major schemes is:

MANY CURRENT NSP SCHEMES
31 October 2026

Important opportunities currently listed include:

  • UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies
  • AICTE Pragati Scholarship
  • AICTE Saksham Scholarship
  • AICTE Swanath Scholarship
  • National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
  • Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
  • Top Class Education Scholarship for SC Students
  • National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
  • ICAR scholarships and fellowships
  • Other central government scholarship schemes

Eligibility, benefits and conditions vary significantly between schemes. Students should therefore identify the scholarship that matches their education profile and verify the latest information on the official NSP before applying.

Looking for More Scholarships?

Explore verified scholarships, admissions, internships and other education opportunities on SENTPO.

Explore Opportunities on SENTPO

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NSP open for 2026-27?

Yes. The National Scholarship Portal is open for the 2026-27 academic year.

What is the last date to apply for NSP scholarships in 2026?

The student application deadline for many schemes currently listed on NSP is 31 October 2026. However, deadlines vary by scheme.

Is OTR mandatory for NSP?

Yes. One-Time Registration (OTR) is required for scholarship applications through NSP.

Can I apply for more than one NSP scholarship?

From 2026-27, NSP states that students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes, subject to the eligibility conditions of the schemes.

Can Kerala students apply through NSP?

Yes. Kerala students can apply for eligible scholarships listed on NSP provided they meet the requirements of the individual scheme.

Is NSP a government website?

Yes. The National Scholarship Portal is the Government of India’s official scholarship platform.

Where can I apply for NSP scholarships?

Students should use the official National Scholarship Portal:

scholarships.gov.in

Final Reminder

Do not wait until 31 October 2026 if you are eligible for an NSP scholarship.

Complete your OTR, identify the appropriate scheme, check the eligibility requirements, submit accurate information and keep track of your application’s verification status.

Scholarship deadlines and scheme conditions can change. Always verify the latest information on the official National Scholarship Portal before submitting an application.

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