The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) is a merit-based scholarship scheme implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Through this scheme, eligible students pursuing their first postgraduate degree in recognised institutions can receive financial assistance of ₹15,000 per month to continue higher education without financial burden. The scholarship is provided through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and the amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via the DBT system.
National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education |
| Scheme Type | Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme |
| Application Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹15,000 Per Month |
| Scholarship Duration | 10 Months Per Academic Year |
| Total Scholarship Period | 2 Years |
| Total Financial Assistance | Up to ₹3 Lakh |
| Mode of Transfer | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Beneficiary Category | Students Pursuing First Postgraduate Degree |
| Eligible Study Mode | Regular Full-Time Courses Only |
| Age Limit | Below 30 Years at the Time of Admission |
| Income Limit | No Income Limit |
| Total Scholarships Per Year | 10,000 Scholarships |
| Women Reservation | 30% Reservation for Women Candidates |
| Selection Basis | All India Merit Basis |
| OTR Requirement | Mandatory on NSP Portal |
Introduction of National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies: A Brief Insight
The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) is a merit-based scholarship scheme launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing their first postgraduate degree in recognised colleges, universities, and higher educational institutions across India. Through this scholarship scheme, the Government aims to support talented students who want to continue higher education but face financial difficulties during postgraduate studies.
The scholarship is implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and currently offers financial assistance of ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year. Eligible students can receive this benefit for up to two years of their postgraduate programme. The scholarship amount is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system and the PFMS platform.
The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies currently functions as an umbrella postgraduate scholarship framework under UGC. Earlier postgraduate scholarship schemes related to single girl child, SC/ST professional courses, university rank holders, and other postgraduate assistance categories were gradually integrated into the broader NSPG framework. However, some specialised scholarship schemes, such as the UGC Post Graduate Scholarship for GATE/GPAT Qualified Students and the PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders, continue to operate separately for specific categories of students.
The main objective of this scholarship scheme is to encourage higher education among meritorious Indian students and ensure that deserving candidates do not discontinue their postgraduate studies because of financial constraints. The scheme supports students studying in regular full-time postgraduate programmes approved under UGC norms and recognised educational institutions.
Under the latest guidelines, around 10,000 scholarships are provided every year on an all-India merit basis. The scholarship slots are broadly divided between Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Management, Law, Science, Engineering, Technology, Medical, Agriculture, and other academic streams. The scheme also provides reservation benefits according to the Government of India norms, while 30% of total scholarship slots are reserved for women candidates. Special preference is also given to single girl children, twin daughters, and fraternal daughters under the reserved women category.
One of the biggest advantages of the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is that there is no income limit for applicants. Many students wrongly believe that only economically weaker candidates can apply for this scholarship. However, official UGC guidelines clearly mention that no family income ceiling has been prescribed under the scheme. This makes the scholarship highly beneficial for meritorious students from different backgrounds.
The scheme is available only for students pursuing their first postgraduate degree through regular full-time mode. Students enrolled in distance learning, correspondence, private, part-time, or online mode courses are not eligible for the scholarship benefit. Similarly, applicants who already possess a postgraduate degree cannot apply again under this scheme.
In recent years, the application process for the scholarship has also changed significantly because the National Scholarship Portal has introduced the One Time Registration (OTR) system along with face authentication verification. Students are now required to complete OTR registration before applying for any scholarship on the NSP portal. This new process has become one of the most important updates under the scholarship application system.
The scholarship selection process is mainly based on undergraduate academic merit at the national level. If two students secure similar marks, additional merit parameters such as Class 12 performance may also be considered during tie-breaking. After selection, UGC releases merit lists and scholarship-related notifications through official portals.
Students looking for other central government scholarship schemes can also explore the AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme and the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for additional higher education financial support opportunities.
The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies has become one of the most important postgraduate scholarship schemes in India because it supports students through direct financial assistance, transparent DBT transfer, merit-based selection, and nationwide coverage under the National Scholarship Portal framework.
Students who want to explore more central and state government scholarship schemes, education assistance programmes, fellowship schemes, and student welfare initiatives can also visit our Complete List of Government Scholarship Schemes section for the latest updates and detailed scheme-wise information.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Selected students under the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) receive financial assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to continue their postgraduate education without financial burden.
- Scholarship amount of ₹15,000 per month
- Financial assistance is provided for 10 months in an academic year
- Total yearly scholarship benefit of ₹1,50,000
- Scholarship available for the complete duration of the PG course, up to 2 years
- Total benefit up to ₹3,00,000 during the course period
- Amount transferred directly into the student’s bank account through DBT
- Scholarship disbursed through the PFMS system
- Support provided for pursuing regular postgraduate education in recognised institutions
- 30% scholarship slots reserved for women candidates
- Special priority is provided to single girl children, twin daughters, and fraternal daughters under reserved women slots
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Applicants applying for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) must fulfil the following eligibility conditions prescribed under the scheme guidelines.
- Applicant must be a citizen of India
- Applicant must be pursuing the first postgraduate degree only
- The student must be admitted to the first year of a regular full-time PG course
- Distance learning, correspondence, private, and part-time students are not eligible
- Applicant’s age must be below 30 years as on the date of admission in the PG course
- The postgraduate course must be recognised under UGC guidelines
- A UG degree must be obtained from a recognised institution under the UGC Act
- Integrated course students are eligible only for the PG component of the programme
- Applicant must have a valid Aadhaar-linked bank account in their own name
- A student cannot receive another scholarship or fellowship simultaneously
- Applicants who already possess a postgraduate degree are not eligible
- The institution must be registered on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Important: There is no income limit prescribed under the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) scheme according to the official guidelines.
Documents Required to be Attached
Applicants applying for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) may need the following documents while submitting the application form on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport Size Photograph
- UG Marksheets / Degree Certificate
- Postgraduate Admission Proof
- Fee Receipt
- Bonafide Certificate from the Institution
- Bank Passbook
- Aadhaar-linked Bank Account Details
- Mobile Number
- Email ID
- PAN Card / Voter ID / Passport, wherever required
- Caste Certificate, if applicable
- EWS Certificate, if applicable
- Disability Certificate, if applicable
- Single Girl Child Affidavit, wherever applicable
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Eligible students can apply for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies only through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The application process now starts with One Time Registration (OTR), which has become mandatory for all applicants. Students should carefully fill in all academic and bank details because incorrect information can lead to rejection or DBT payment failure.
Step 1: Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the “Students” section and choose the OTR (One Time Registration) login option.
Step 3: New applicants should click on “Register Yourself” and complete the OTR registration using Aadhaar-linked mobile number verification.
Step 4: Complete the mandatory face authentication process through the official OTR mobile application.
Step 5: After successful OTR generation, log in to the NSP portal using the generated OTR ID and password.
Step 6: Go to the UGC scholarship section and select National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies.
Step 7: Fill in the online application form carefully with personal details, academic information, institution details, and bank account information.
Step 8: Enter only the student’s own Aadhaar-seeded and KYC-compliant bank account details because the scholarship amount is transferred through the DBT system.
Step 9: Declare that you are not receiving any other scholarship or fellowship at the same time.
Step 10: Review all entered details carefully and submit the online application before the last date.
Step 11: After submission, submit the required supporting documents to your college or institution for verification.
Step 12: The institution will verify the application online on NSP and upload the required verification certificate within the prescribed timeline.
Step 13: After successful verification and merit-based selection, UGC releases the scholarship amount directly into the student’s bank account through PFMS and DBT mode.
Important: Applications that remain unverified by the institution are not considered for scholarship selection. Students should also remember that renewal for the second year is not automatic and a separate renewal application must be submitted on NSP.
Important Links Available
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Apply Online for National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| UGC Official Scholarship Page | https://www.ugc.gov.in/Scholarships/stu_Scholarship6 |
| UGC Notices and Merit List Updates | https://www.ugc.ac.in/notices |
| All Scholarships Available on NSP | https://scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships |
| Official Guidelines | Check Here |
| Official FAQs | Check Here |
| UGC Official Website | https://www.ugc.gov.in |
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Students facing issues related to registration, OTR generation, face authentication, application submission, institute verification, DBT payment, or scholarship status can contact the concerned authorities through the official NSP and UGC support channels.
| Authority | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| University Grants Commission (UGC) | Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 |
| UGC Toll-Free Helpline | 1800-113-355 |
| UGC Email Support | contact.ugc@nic.in |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Helpdesk | 0120-6619540 |
| NSP Helpdesk Email | helpdesk@nsp.gov.in |
| NSP Office Address | 4th Floor, NeGD, Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 |
| Official NSP Portal | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| UGC Official Website | https://www.ugc.gov.in |
Important: Students should contact their college or institution nodal officer first in case of institute verification delays, document mismatch, or scholarship application rejection issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Scheme?
Ans. National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is a UGC scholarship scheme under the Ministry of Education that provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing their first postgraduate degree in recognised institutions across India.
Q. Who runs the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Scheme?
Ans. The scheme is administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Q. How much scholarship amount is provided under this scheme?
Ans. Selected students receive ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year. The scholarship is provided for two years of the postgraduate programme.
Q. What is the total scholarship amount students can receive?
Ans. Eligible students can receive a total scholarship amount of ₹3 lakh over two years.
Q. Is there any income limit for this scholarship?
Ans. No. UGC has clearly clarified that there is no income limit under the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Scheme.
Q. Who can apply for this scholarship?
Ans. Indian students pursuing their first regular full-time postgraduate degree in a recognised institution can apply after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q. Can distance learning or correspondence students apply?
Ans. No. Students studying through distance mode, correspondence, private, online, or part-time mode are not eligible for this scholarship.
Q. What is the age limit under the scheme?
Ans. Applicants must be below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first year or first semester of the postgraduate course.
Q. Can students who already have a postgraduate degree apply?
Ans. No. The scholarship is available only for the first postgraduate degree. Students who already possess a PG degree are not eligible.
Q. Is One Time Registration (OTR) mandatory on NSP?
Ans. Yes. One-Time Registration (OTR) and face authentication are mandatory for applying through the National Scholarship Portal.
Q. Can a student hold another scholarship along with this scheme?
Ans. No. A student can receive only one scholarship at a time. If selected under multiple scholarship schemes, the student must choose one benefit.
Q. How is selection done under the scheme?
Ans. Selection is mainly done on an all-India merit basis using undergraduate marks. If marks are equal, Class 12 marks may also be considered for tie-breaking.
Q. Who is considered a Single Girl Child under this scheme?
Ans. A girl with no brothers or sisters is considered a Single Girl Child. Twin daughters and fraternal daughters are also treated as eligible under the women’s reservation provision.
Q. How many scholarships are available every year?
Ans. UGC provides 10,000 scholarship slots every year under the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Scheme.
Q. How is the scholarship amount transferred?
Ans. The scholarship amount is transferred directly into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through PFMS and DBT mode.
Q. What are the common reasons for DBT payment failure?
Ans. Incorrect bank account details, IFSC errors, Aadhaar mismatch, non-KYC bank accounts, and name mismatch are some common reasons for payment failure.
Q. Can integrated course students apply for this scholarship?
Ans. Yes. Students enrolled in integrated programmes can apply, but the scholarship is provided only for the postgraduate portion of the course.
Q. Is renewal automatic for the second year?
Ans. No. Students must separately apply for renewal on the NSP portal for the second year.
Q. What happens if a student changes the institution or course?
Ans. The scholarship benefit may be discontinued because a change of institution or course is generally not permitted under the scheme rules.
Q. When are the scholarship results usually declared?
Ans. UGC generally releases merit lists and selection results around November or December on the official NSP and UGC portals.
Q. Can students edit the application form after final submission?
Ans. Usually, applications cannot be edited after final submission and closure of the application period. Students should carefully verify all details before submitting the form.
Q. What happens if the institution does not verify the application?
Ans. Applications that remain unverified by the institution are not considered for scholarship selection by UGC.
Q. Is NAAC accreditation necessary for institutions?
Ans. Yes. The institution should generally be recognised under the UGC Act and possess valid NAAC accreditation or equivalent recognition as prescribed under the scheme guidelines.
Q. Where can students apply for the scholarship?
Ans. Students can apply online through the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.