NSP One Time Registration (OTR) Explained for Scholarship Students

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the website used by students who want to apply for multiple central and state scholarships via the Government of India. Now, in order to apply for any scholarships on NSP you will need an OTR number. This article will explain OTR, how you can create it and common issues you might face.

This is an Independent website and has no links to NSP or Government departments. The information provided below was found in the NSP announcements located here https://scholarships.gov.in/ (checked 7th November 2026). Always follow the guidance provided on the portal.

What is OTR?

OTR means One Time Registration. The NSP states:

• It is a unique 14-digit number assigned to a student
• The student provides their Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID)
• This is valid throughout your academic career on NSP
• You need an OTR to apply for scholarships on NSP from the academic year 2024-25.

As this is valid throughout your student life you will only need to create it once.

Current NSP Guidance

The following are current points in the NSP announcements:

• The portal is open from 1st June 2026 for the academic year 2026-27
• The portal is open for students to complete their One Time Registration.
• From AY 2026-27 students can apply to one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare based schemes depending on the eligibility criteria for each scheme.
• The NSP can also be accessed through Common Service Centres (CSC). NSP state the total cost of completing the entire process through CSC is set as Rs30 inc taxes.
• Each scheme will have different deadlines, please check the dates for your chosen scheme.

What you need

• Your Aadhaar number (or Enrolment ID)
• A mobile number you regularly use
• Smartphone (if using facial recognition)
• Your personal details such as name, date of birth and gender exactly as they appear on Your Aadhaar.

Tip: Ensure your name matches across your school, bank and Aadhaar. Many payments fail due to minor spelling errors.

How to get your OTR

Whilst the exact pages may vary, you can generally expect the following process:

1. Go to the National Scholarship Portal https://scholarships.gov.in/
2. Look for the One Time Registration option.
3. Read the guidance provided.
4. Enter your mobile number and details requested.
5. Complete the Aadhaar verification. NSP states they use the NSP OTR app along with the Aadhaar face app for facial recognition.
6. Once you have completed this successfully you will have your 14-digit OTR. Make sure to write it down somewhere safe.
7. Once you have your OTR you can login and apply for any eligible schemes.

Common Issues

The following issues are listed by NSP:

Error 904 when using facial recognition

If you receive an error 904 when trying to use facial recognition, NSP recommend updating the UIDAI AadhaarFaceRD app from the Play Store.

Biometrics Locked

Some students/parents lock their biometrics on their Aadhaar. This can cause issues when trying to do facial recognition for your OTR. NSP recommend that you check your biometric status using the mAadhaar app or My Aadhaar online portal. This should be unlocked. You can lock them again later.

Disabled

All disabled students will need to login first to the UDID portal and provide consent to share their UDID details.

Bank Details & Aadhaar Seeding

Scholarship payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). NSP mention the NPCI Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform can be used by citizens to seed/unseed their Aadhaar with their bank account in self service mode. Ensure your bank details are seeded with Your Aadhaar.

Quick Checklist

• I have written down my 14-digit OTR in two places.
• My name and date of birth match across My Aadhaar, school and bank.
• My bank account is active and seeded with My Aadhaar.
• I have read the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
• I know the deadline for my scheme and institute verification.
• I have scanned copies of any documents requested.

Tips

• Only use the official website – scholarships.gov.in. There are many fake sites that look similar.
• Never share your OTP with anyone, even if they call and say they’re from the scholarship office.
• Don’t pay extra to agents. The cost to complete through CSC is set by NSP as Rs30.
• Keep your OTR private, it is like an ID number.

FAQs

Do you need an OTR to apply on NSP?

Yes. NSP state you will need an OTR to apply for scholarships from AY 2024-25.

How many digits does an OTR have?

14 digits.

Do I need a new OTR every year?

No. NSP state that it is valid throughout your academic career.

Can I get help offline?

Yes. NSP can be accessed through Common Service Centres. NSP state the total cost is Rs30.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships?

From AY 2026-27 NSP state students can apply for one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare based schemes, depending on eligibility.

Conclusion

An OTR is key to applying for scholarships on NSP. Create your OTR, keep it safe and ensure your details match across Your Aadhaar, school and bank. If you run into any issues follow the guidance NSP suggest or visit a local CSC. Taking a few minutes to ensure everything is correct will ensure your scholarship money arrives on time.

Disclaimer: Fizoic is an independent educational website and has no links to the National Scholarship Portal or any Government bodies. Always confirm rules and dates from scholarships.gov.in.