National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is a University Grants Commission (UGC) scholarship scheme that provides financial assistance to Indian students pursuing their first postgraduate degree in India. Under the scheme, selected students receive ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in a year for two years. The scheme provides 10,000 scholarships per year, or the number of scholarships decided by UGC, helping eligible postgraduate students meet part of their educational expenses during their PG studies.

Students who have completed a recognized undergraduate degree and secured admission to the first year of an eligible PG degree programme can apply, subject to the prescribed conditions. The applicant must be below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first semester/year of the PG programme. The course must be pursued through Regular/Full-Time mode. Students pursuing PG through open, distance, correspondence, private or part-time mode are not eligible. Importantly, the scheme has no income criterion, and students who have already obtained a postgraduate degree cannot apply for another PG degree under this scholarship.

The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is an umbrella postgraduate scholarship scheme formed by merging four earlier scholarship schemes: PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child, PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders, PG Scholarship for SC/ST Students pursuing Professional Courses, and PG Scholarship for GATE/GPAT. The scholarship covers eligible PG programmes offered by specified universities, colleges and institutions. Students enrolled in an integrated programme can also apply, but the scholarship is available only for the PG component. The institution must meet the scheme requirements and have a valid AISHE code for accessing the National Scholarship Portal. Students must also follow the one-scholarship rule, as they cannot receive another scholarship, fellowship, monetary benefit, salary or stipend during the tenure of this scholarship.

Students can submit the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies application online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Selection is carried out on an all-India merit basis, along with the applicable Government of India reservation policy. The scheme reserves 30% of the slots for women candidates and gives preference to single/twin/fraternal girl children under the prescribed provisions. The available slots are also divided between the specified academic fields, including Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Management, Science, Engineering and Technology, Medical, Agriculture and other specified programmes.

For the 2026-27 academic year, applications for the scheme opened on 16 September 2026, and eligible students can apply until 31 October 2026. Students should submit accurate information and provide the required documents to their institution for verification. Submission of an application does not guarantee selection; the application must pass the prescribed verification process and the student must be included in the merit list. The scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

The scholarship can continue into the second year through the renewal process on NSP. Students must successfully complete the first year, maintain good conduct and prescribed attendance, and get promoted to the next level. They must also submit the renewal application on NSP because the second-year scholarship will not be processed without successful submission of the renewal application. A change in the course or institution is not permitted under the scheme and can result in forfeiture of the scholarship.

Scheme Benefits

The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies provides financial support to eligible students pursuing postgraduate studies in India. The scholarship is awarded for two years, subject to the scheme conditions and renewal requirements.

• Provides ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in a year.
• Scholarship support is available for 2 years.
• Up to ₹3 lakh can be received over two years, subject to renewal and eligibility conditions.
• 10,000 scholarships are available per year, or as decided by UGC.
• 30% of slots are reserved for women candidates.
• Preference is given to single/twin/fraternal girl children under the prescribed provisions.
• Selection is made on an all-India merit basis, subject to the applicable reservation and allocation rules.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account through DBT.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the prescribed academic, age, course and admission conditions to apply for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies. The scholarship is available only to students pursuing their first postgraduate degree through regular/full-time mode in an eligible institution.

• The applicant must be an Indian student.
• The student must have a recognized undergraduate degree from an eligible institution.
• The student must be admitted to the first year of a PG degree programme.
• The scholarship is available only for the student's first PG degree.
• Students who have already obtained a PG degree are not eligible.
• The student must be below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first semester/year of PG.
• The PG programme must be pursued through Regular/Full-Time mode.
• Students pursuing PG through open, distance, correspondence, private or part-time mode are not eligible.
• The PG programme must be a UGC-recognized degree programme.
• The course nomenclature and duration must follow the UGC-prescribed requirements.
• For integrated programmes, the scholarship is available only for the PG component.
• The student must study in an eligible university, college or institution.
• Eligible institutions include UGC-recognized institutions with valid NAAC accreditation, eligible deemed universities, eligible Central/State Government-funded institutions, and Institutions of National Importance.
• The institution must have a valid AISHE code to access NSP.
• There is no income criterion for the scholarship.
• The student can receive only one scholarship at a time.
• The student cannot receive another scholarship, fellowship, monetary benefit, salary or stipend during the tenure of this scholarship.

Required Documents

Students do not need to upload certificates or affidavits on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) while submitting the online application. However, they must submit the necessary documents to their institution so that the institution can verify the eligibility and information provided in the application. The institution may ask for certificates or affidavits wherever required, including documents related to caste or category.

• Undergraduate marksheet or degree certificate.
• Proof of admission to the first year of the PG programme.
• Caste or category certificate, if applicable.
• Single/Twin/Fraternal Girl Child certificate or proof, if applicable.
• Date of birth or age proof, if required.
• Aadhaar-linked bank account details in the student's name.
• Any other document or affidavit requested by the institution for verification.

Students should provide accurate documents to their institution because the institution verifies the eligibility and documents before verifying the application on NSP. The institution must retain the relevant records during the scholarship period and for the prescribed period after the scholarship ends.

Important Dates

Students applying for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies should follow the application and verification schedule prescribed on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The important dates for the 2026-27 academic year are given below.

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can complete the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies application online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Applicants should complete the registration, enter accurate academic and bank details, and submit the application within the prescribed deadline for verification and merit-based selection.

• Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and complete the required One Time Registration (OTR).
• Log in to NSP and select the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies scheme.
• Enter your personal, academic and PG admission details.
• Provide the required course, category and institution details.
• Enter your correct bank account details for scholarship payment.
• Review the complete application carefully and correct any errors before submission.
• Submit the scholarship application online within the prescribed deadline.
• Provide the required supporting documents to your institution for application verification.
• The institution will verify your eligibility and application details on NSP.
• Verified applications will be considered for merit-based selection.
• Students selected in the merit list will receive the scholarship through DBT in their Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Students should carefully check all information before submitting the NSP scholarship application. Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected, and submitting an application does not guarantee selection for the scholarship.

Renewal of National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies

Students receiving the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies can continue the scholarship for the next year after successfully completing the first year of their PG course. The student must meet the renewal conditions and submit a renewal application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

• The scholarship is renewed for the next year of study after successful completion of the first year.
• The student must submit a renewal application on NSP.
• The second-year scholarship will not be processed without successful submission of the renewal application.
• The student must maintain good conduct and prescribed attendance.
• The student must be promoted to the next class/level of the course.
• A student who fails to get promoted to the next level will forfeit the scholarship.
• Change of course or institution is not permitted. The scholarship will be forfeited from the date of such change.
• Renewal applications are verified by the institution within the prescribed timeline.

Students should submit their renewal application within the deadline displayed on NSP and ensure that their institution completes the required verification. The scholarship remains subject to the renewal conditions prescribed under the scheme.

Key Points of National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies

• Merit-based selection: Students are selected on an all-India merit basis.
• Field-wise slots: 50% of slots are for Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law and Management, while 50% are for Science, Engineering, Medical, Agriculture and other specified fields.
• Merit tie: UG marks and, if required, Class 12 marks are used for further shortlisting.
• Result: The result is normally declared on NSP in November/December.
• Application verification: Applications are verified by the institution and designated nodal officers before merit selection.
• Application editing: Students cannot edit applications after the closing date.
• Incomplete applications: Incomplete applications are rejected and only verified applications are considered.
• Institution verification: The institution verifies eligibility, marks, educational qualifications and applicable category documents.
• Bank account: Students must provide correct details of a KYC-compliant bank account in their own name.
• One scholarship rule: Students cannot receive another scholarship, fellowship, salary or stipend during the scholarship tenure.
• Other scholarship: No UGC NOC is required to apply for another financial benefit, but the student must relinquish this scholarship if selected for the other benefit.
• Renewal: Renewal applications must also be verified by the institution within the prescribed timeline.
• Course or institution change: Changing the course or institution can result in forfeiture of the scholarship.
• Wrong information: Providing false or misleading information can lead to cancellation and recovery of the scholarship amount with interest.
• Application frequency: Applications are invited once a year through NSP.
• Nodal officers: Scheme-wise nodal officer details are available on the NSP public portal.

Relevant Links

• National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Online Application Form.
• National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Registration.
• National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Login.
• National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Application Status.
• National Scholarship Portal.
• University Grants Commission Official Website.
• National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Official Guidelines.
• UGC Telephone Directory.

Contact Information

• University Grants Commission Helpline Number:
  • 011-23604446.
  • 011-23604200.
• University Grants Commission Helpdesk Email: [email protected].
• National Scholarship Portal Helpline Number: 0120-6619540.
• National Scholarship Portal Helpdesk Email: [email protected].
• UGC Address: University Grants Commission (UGC),
  Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
  New Delhi - 110002.