The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is a one-stop platform for applying to various scholarship schemes offered by the Government of India (Central Ministries) and several State Governments. It doesn’t offer a single scholarship program itself, but acts as a gateway to numerous scholarships catering to students from diverse educational backgrounds (school to higher studies) and socio-economic categories.
Therefore, eligibility criteria for NSP scholarships vary depending on the specific program you’re interested in. However, there are some general eligibility requirements that apply to most scholarships on the NSP:
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of India.
- Educational Background: Eligibility typically requires enrollment in a specific class/course at a recognized institution. This could range from being in Class 1 (for some pre-matric scholarships) to pursuing a Ph.D. (for certain doctoral fellowships).
- Academic Performance: Minimum marks criteria in the previous qualifying exam is often a requirement. The benchmark percentage can vary from 50% to more than 80%, depending on the scholarship program.
- Income Ceiling: Many scholarships are targeted towards students from economically weaker sections. These programs may have an annual family income ceiling set by the scholarship authority.
- Caste/Reservation: Some scholarships are reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Here’s how to find the specific eligibility criteria for an NSP scholarship:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal website: https://scholarships.gov.in/
- Click on the “Scholarship Schemes” tab.
- Browse through the scholarship schemes listed or use the search function to find a program relevant to your needs.
- Each scholarship program will have a dedicated page with details like:
- A brief description of the scholarship.
- Eligibility criteria (including specific requirements like marks, income, etc.).
- Award details (amount and duration of the scholarship).
- Application process and important dates.
Additional Points to Consider:
- Age restrictions might apply to certain scholarships.
- Gap in education might affect eligibility in some cases.
- Specific courses or streams of study might be mandated for some programs.
- Some scholarships require appearing for an entrance exam.
It’s important to carefully read and understand the complete eligibility criteria for the scholarship program you’re interested in before applying. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the scholarship provider or the NSP helpdesk if you have any questions.
