No fresh NSPGS scholarship paid in 2025-26, 10,000 slots unused

Government data shows no fresh National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) payment in 2025-26, although UGC verified 54,111 applications. All 10,000 slots stayed unused. The scheme pays ₹15,000 a month for 10 months. Under renewal, 6,671 applications were verified and 5,300 sent for payment.

Ishan Uday, the special scholarship for the North East, also saw zero fresh payments last year. UGC verified 26,632 applications against 10,000 slots. It pays ₹8,000 a month for 10 months to students from the region whose family income is under ₹4.5 lakh.

PM-USP has 82,000 fresh slots a year. In 2025-26 it paid 75,125 fresh and 1,31,127 renewal scholarships, and it has not filled all slots in five years. Payments fell for PM YASASVI too. The ministry of tribal affairs paid nothing under its ST scholarship and fellowship scheme in 2025-26.

Renewals are applied for on the National Scholarship Portal. Minister of state for education Sukanta Majumdar gave the data in the 2026 monsoon session of parliament, answering a question from Congress MP Bhajan Lal Jatav. Beena Pallical of the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights said payments often come one or two years late and the budget is usually held back till December or January.