National Scholarship Portal (NSP) under central govt. now runs its mobile registration through the NSP OTR app, and applications for 2026-27 are open from 1 June 2026 to 31 October 2026. Students can download NSP OTR App and complete One Time Registration (OTR) from their phone itself.
NSP brings together more than 140 scholarship schemes run by central ministries, state governments, UGC and AICTE on one single portal. Over 1 crore students apply through NSP every year, and scholarship disbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) crosses ₹3,000 crore annually. From academic year 2025-26 onward, OTR done through the mobile app has become required for both fresh and renewal scholarship applications.
Download National Scholarship Portal Mobile App (NSP OTR)
Below is the complete process to download NSP OTR App and complete registration online. Note that the older "NSP Mobile App" listing has been replaced by the NSP OTR app, which uses Aadhaar face authentication instead of a regular password login.
STEP 1 - Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in on your phone or computer to check scheme details and dates before applying.
STEP 2 - Open Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for "NSP OTR", or use the direct link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.gov.scholarships.nspotr and tap Install. The app is free and around 3 MB in size.
STEP 3 - Also search and install the "AadhaarFaceRD" app from Play Store separately. This app is required alongside NSP OTR to complete face authentication using Aadhaar, and no separate biometric device is needed.
STEP 4 - Open NSP OTR app, enter your Aadhaar number and complete face authentication when asked. This will register your One Time Registration (OTR) ID on the portal.
STEP 5 - After OTR is done, log in to scholarships.gov.in with your OTR ID and select the scholarship scheme you are eligible for. Fill in the application form and upload the required documents.
STEP 6 - Once your application gets approved, the scholarship amount gets credited directly into your bank account through DBT. You can track fund transfer status on the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal linked with NSP.
Students who already have Aadhaar seeded with their bank account for DBT can also use the Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) tool on the portal to link or update their bank details.
NSP OTR App Highlights 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Portal Name | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| App Required | NSP OTR + AadhaarFaceRD |
| App Size | Around 3 MB |
| Application Period 2026-27 | 1 June 2026 to 31 October 2026 |
| Total Schemes Covered | 140+ central, state and UGC/AICTE schemes |
| Students Applying Yearly | Over 1 crore |
| Benefit Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank account |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
NSP OTR App Benefits
Students can download NSP OTR App on their Android phones and get the following benefits:-
- Students get information about all scholarship schemes they are eligible for, in one single app instead of checking each department website separately.
- Students can complete OTR and apply for several scholarships sitting at home, without visiting any office.
- Facility to upload required documents is available directly through the app.
- Students can check the status of their application form and scholarship payment through PFMS tracking.
Students from remote areas, hilly areas and North-East states get real help from this app, since it removes the need to travel for scholarship related work. Students belonging to poor and economically weaker sections get scholarship money directly into their bank account, which cuts down delays and middlemen.
Salient Features of National Scholarships Portal App
National Scholarships Portal (NSP) is a single point solution for various scholarship schemes offered by the Government of India through central ministries and state departments. It covers scheme search, eligibility check, OTR registration, application submission and status tracking, all from one app. Here are the main features of National Scholarships Portal App:-
- Single point solution for many government scholarship schemes across ministries and states.
- Face authentication based OTR makes registration secure and cuts down fake applications.
- Direct Benefit Transfer sends scholarship money straight into the student's bank account.
- PFMS tracking and SMS alerts keep students updated at every stage of their application.
FAQ's
Is NSP OTR app free to download?
Yes, both NSP OTR and AadhaarFaceRD apps are free to download from Google Play Store, and together they take up only a few MB of space on your phone.
Is OTR mandatory for NSP scholarships in 2026?
Yes, from academic year 2025-26 onward, completing OTR through the app or portal is required before applying for any fresh or renewal scholarship on NSP.
What is the last date to apply on NSP for 2026-27?
Applications for most scholarship schemes on NSP for 2026-27 are open from 1 June 2026 to 31 October 2026, though exact dates can vary a little scheme to scheme.
Why does NSP OTR app ask for face authentication?
Face authentication through the AadhaarFaceRD app confirms that the real student is registering, without needing a separate biometric device, and this cuts down duplicate or fake applications.