NSP scholarship is not for one fixed group; eligibility depends on the specific scheme listed on the National Scholarship Portal, and the portal lets students check scheme-wise eligibility directly. In general, it covers students from categories such as SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, economically weaker families, and sometimes PwD or merit-based applicants, depending on the scholarship.

Who can usually apply

  • School students for pre-matric schemes.
  • College and university students for post-matric and central sector schemes.
  • Students from SC, ST, OBC, minority, and other eligible groups, depending on the scheme.
  • Students who meet income limits, academic performance rules, and other scheme-specific conditions.

Important point

There is no single universal eligibility rule for all NSP scholarships. Each scholarship has its own criteria, so the safest way is to match your class, category, income, and institution type with the exact scheme you want.

Typical checks

  1. Your category.
  2. Your current class or course.
  3. Family income limit.
  4. Whether your school or college is recognized.
  5. Whether you already receive another similar scholarship.

Example

A Class 12 student from a low-income family may qualify for one scheme, while a college student from the same family may qualify for a different one. That is why NSP works as a single portal for many schemes rather than one scholarship for everyone.

Useful note

The portal has a public eligibility check section for different schemes, which is the best starting point before applying.