The National Scholarship Portal 2025: Scholarships Last Date, Application Process and Check Status is your one-stop hub for applying to dozens of central and state scholarship schemes — from pre-matric and post-matric programmes to top-class and ministry-sponsored awards. For the 2025–26 cycle the portal opened for One-Time Registration (OTR) and scheme applications, and many central schemes list October 31, 2025 as the student application deadline (dates can vary by scheme and some scheme windows extend into November). This centralized platform reduces duplication, speeds up Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of funds and gives students a transparent way to track application status.
NSP isn’t just an application form — it’s built to be SMART (Simplified, Mission-oriented, Accountable, Responsive & Transparent). That means faster processing, unified master data for institutions and courses, and an auditable flow from application submission to fund disbursal. If you’re a student (or guardian/institute nodal officer) planning to apply this year, knowing the deadlines, OTR steps and verification points will save you time and prevent mistakes.
Who can apply? (Eligibility snapshot)
Eligibility varies by scheme; common eligibility elements include:
- Indian citizen studying in a registered Indian school/college/institute.
- Scheme-specific age, course level (pre-matric/post-matric/UG/PG/PhD) and income limits.
- Category-based schemes (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Persons with Disability) require relevant certificates.
- Institute must be registered on NSP (students cannot apply if their institute isn’t onboarded).
Quick tips: check the specific scheme’s eligibility block on NSP before starting your application to avoid wasted attempts.
How to apply online — step-by-step
- Confirm institute registration: Search “Registered Institutes on NSP” — if your institute isn’t listed, ask them to register or use the AISHE/UDISE+ process.
- Generate OTR (One Time Registration): Visit the NSP home, go to Students → OTR → Register. Complete mobile OTP and Aadhaar verification, then finish personal details to get an OTR number. Face authentication via the OTR mobile app completes the process; OTR is mandatory for applying.
- Login & fill application form: Use OTR ID and password, change password on first login, fill academic and scheme details, upload supporting documents, save as draft, then Final Submit. Note: final-submitted forms cannot be edited — verify everything before final submission.
Documents you’ll typically need (upload & institute submission)
| Document | When required |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar / EID | Mandatory for OTR |
| Bank passbook / cancelled cheque | For DBT disbursal |
| Educational certificates (marksheet / bonafide) | Scheme dependent |
| Caste / income / domicile / disability certificates | If applicable |
| Bonafide from institute (if studying outside domicile state) | As specified by scheme |
For scholarships under ₹50,000 applicants may not need to upload documents online; instead they submit copies to the institute as per scheme rules.
Important dates at a glance
| Item | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Most central scheme student application deadline (example) | 31 October 2025 (many central schemes) |
| OTR / student registration open | Portal open for AY 2025-26 (from June 2025 onward) |
| Institute / verification windows | Vary by scheme (check scheme page on NSP) |
Always confirm the deadline on the specific scheme page inside NSP — state schemes or certain central schemes can have different cut-offs.
How selection & disbursement work (track status)
- After final submission, the institute verifies application details and forwards for state and ministry verification as required.
- Approved applications are routed for sanction and DBT disbursement; funds are credited directly to the student’s bank account. NSP provides a status tracker where students can monitor verification stages and payment status.
A recent news example: CBSE and other bodies have reminded students to apply via scholarships.gov.in before the October 31 deadlines for specific central schemes — follow official NSP notices for any deadline extensions.
Practical checklist before you submit
- Ensure institute is registered on NSP.
- Complete OTR and face authentication via the NSP/OTR app.
- Keep scanned copies of required documents and bank details ready.
- Review every field before “Final Submit” — edits are disabled after final submission.
