NSP Scholarship OTR Registration – How to Apply on National Scholarship Portal
In short: To apply for any scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in), you first need a One Time Registration (OTR). The OTR is free, created with Aadhaar e-KYC and face authentication on the NSP OTR App, and the 14-digit number stays valid for your whole academic career. At a CSC the full process costs ₹30.
Overview
| Organization | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Ministry of Electronics & IT |
|---|---|
| OTR fee | Free (online) |
| CSC charge | ₹30 – from OTR to filing the full application (incl. taxes) |
| OTR number | 14 digits, valid for the entire academic career |
| Required | Aadhaar number, Aadhaar-linked mobile, active mobile number |
| Bank account | Aadhaar seeding with NPCI (advised) |
| How many scholarships (from AY 2026-27) | One merit-based + one or more welfare-based |
What is OTR and why is it needed?
One Time Registration (OTR) is a unique 14-digit number on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), generated from your Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). Since academic year 2024-25, OTR is required to apply for any scholarship on NSP, and it also works as your username. Because it is created only once, you do not have to register every year, and all your applications stay linked to the same OTR.
What you need
Students with Aadhaar:
- An active mobile number
- Aadhaar number
- Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
- Aadhaar seeding status of your bank account with NPCI (advised)
Without Aadhaar: your Aadhaar enrolment slip or (for minors) a parent’s/guardian’s Aadhaar, and the mobile linked to it.
Students with disabilities must first log in to the UDID portal and consent to share their UDID details before applying on NSP; otherwise the application cannot be submitted.
Common problems and fixes
Face authentication fails: Keep your face properly positioned in good light. If your Aadhaar biometrics are locked, unlock them first. For error 904, update the AadhaarFaceRD App.
SMS after turning 18: If your OTR was made with a parent’s Aadhaar and you are now an adult, update your own Aadhaar in the OTR and redo e-KYC (FaceAuth).
Aadhaar seeding shows “Not seeded”: In OTR login, go to “Profile Details” and click “Aadhar Seeding -> Check it now”.
Changing your mobile number: After Aadhaar OTP verification, you can register a new number in your OTR.
Wrong Basic Information: If you have already applied, you must withdraw all applications to change Basic Information. A withdrawn fresh application cannot be revoked, so decide carefully.
Scheme deadlines change every year, so check the latest notices on the NSP home page.
How to Apply
- On scholarships.gov.in choose "Apply For One Time Registration (OTR)", register with your mobile number and complete Aadhaar e-KYC.
- A Reference Number is sent to your mobile – keep it safe.
- Install the AadhaarFaceRD App and the NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store.
- In the NSP OTR App, complete face authentication using "eKYC with FaceAuth" – on success you receive your OTR number.
- On NSP, go to Students, click Login under "Apply For Scholarship" (with Aadhaar, APAAR or OTR) and fill in Basic Information.
- Under "Apply Fresh" choose Scholarship to generate an Application ID, then use "Fill/Edit Application Form" to pick the scheme, upload documents and Final Submit.
Important Links
| National Scholarship Portal | Click Here |
|---|---|
| OTR login / registration | Click Here |
| OTR FAQ (PDF) | Click Here |
| Student FAQs | Click Here |
| Find a nearby CSC | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does NSP OTR cost?
OTR is free on the portal. At a CSC, the total charge for the reference number, biometric authentication, OTR and the full application form is ₹30.
Do I need a new OTR every year?
No. The OTR is generated once and stays valid for your entire academic career.
I don't have Aadhaar. What can I do?
You can use your Aadhaar enrolment slip (EID), or a parent's/guardian's Aadhaar if you are a minor. If you use an EID, you must add your Aadhaar within one month or the OTR may be suspended.
I get error 904 during face authentication. What should I do?
Update UIDAI's AadhaarFaceRD App from the Play Store, and check on mAadhaar or myAadhaar that your Aadhaar biometrics are not locked.
I forgot my OTR number. How do I get it back?
Use the "Forgot OTR Number" option and enter the Aadhaar number used for e-KYC.
⚠️ This is not a government website. We simplify information from official sources. Always verify on the official website before applying.