A scholarship program by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for minority students who are undertaking technical and professional courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in a listed institution. The scholarship shall be provided to the students who have obtained a minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent grade) in the last final examination and whose parents/guardian annual income from all sources is not more than ₹2.50 lakh.
The scheme intends to motivate parents belonging to minority communities to ease their economic load on education and continue their endeavors to help their children finish their education. The scheme will serve as the backbone of their education and ensure an equal platform in the competitive job market. A total of 60,000 scholarships are proposed to be given as ‘Fresh’ Scholarships, in addition to, Renewal scholarships.
Benefits
| Scholarship Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | ₹20,000 per annum (or actuals, whichever is less) for both Hosteller & Day Scholar |
| Monthly Maintenance Allowance (for 10 months in an academic year) | ₹1,000 for Hosteller, ₹500 for Day Scholar |
| Scholarship for Listed Institutes | Full course fee is reimbursed for students enrolled in government-recognized listed institutions |
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a student.
- The applicant must belong to a recognized Minority Community.
- The applicant must be pursuing a technical or professional course at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- The applicant must have secured at least 50% marks (or equivalent grade) in the previous final examination.
- The annual income of the parents/guardians from all sources must be less than or equal to ₹2.50 Lakhs per annum.
Exclusions
- If a student violates school discipline or any scholarship terms, the scholarship may be suspended or canceled.
- Students already availing another central government scholarship for SC/ST/OBC/minorities are not eligible.
- False statements or incorrect applications will lead to cancellation and recovery of the disbursed amount.
- Students cannot avail of benefits from multiple scholarship schemes under the Central Government.
- Scholarships will not be given to more than two students from the same family.
Application Process
Online Application
New Registration
- Visit the National Scholarships Portal and go to the New Registration page.
- Read the registration guidelines and click “Next”.
- Enter your mobile number and OTP verification.
- Complete the e-KYC process, if applicable.
- A reference number will be generated and sent to the registered mobile number.
Process for OTR (One Time Registration) ID Number Generation
- Install AadhaarFaceRD services on an Android device.
- Download the NSP OTR App from Google Play Store.
- Select “eKYC with FaceAuth” and enter the reference number received.
- Enter OTP and captcha, then click Next.
- Proceed for Face Authentication (ensure AadhaarFaceRD services are installed).
- On successful authentication, an OTR number will be generated and sent via SMS.
Fresh Application Process
- Visit the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) Applicant Login page.
- Enter your One Time Registration (OTR) number and password.
- Provide OTP verification and create a new password.
- Login to the Applicant’s Dashboard and fill out the application form.
- Upload the required documents and click Final Submit.
Track Payment Status
- Students can track payment status on the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal using:
- Aadhaar Number
- Bank Account Number
- NSP Application ID
Important Notes
- The National Scholarships Portal announces opening & closing dates for applications.
- Applications are verified at two levels:
- By the Institution where the student is studying.
- By the concerned State Higher Education Department.
- Students who fail to renew within the deadline will lose renewal benefits for that year.
Documents Required
- Student’s Photograph
- Verification Form signed by the Institution
- Income Certificate issued by a Competent Authority
- Self-Certified Community Certificate (for students aged 18+), or Parent-Guardian Certified Community Certificate
- Mark Sheet of the last qualifying exam
- Fee Receipt of Current Course Year
- Bank Account Details of the applicant (or Parent/Guardian if the student has no bank account)
- Residential/Domicile Certificate
- Bonafide Student Certificate from the Institution (if studying in a different State/UT)
- Aadhaar Number or Alternative Identification Documents
- Alternative identification documents (if Aadhaar is not available):
- Passport
- Ration Card
- Bank Passbook with Photograph
- PAN Card
- School ID Card with Official Stamp
- Driving License
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What happens if multiple students have the same marks for the last available slot?
A1: Preference will be decided based on family income and financial background.
Q2: Will I still be eligible if I fail to get promoted to the next semester?
A2: No. The scholarship is only for students who are successfully promoted to the next semester/year.
Q3: Is there a percentage of scholarships reserved for girl students?
A3: Yes, 30% of scholarships are reserved for female students.
Q4: Can I apply offline for the scholarship?
A4: No, applications are only accepted through the National Scholarships Portal.
Q5: Is there any application fee?
A5: No, the application process is completely free.
Q6: Will the scholarship be provided during an internship or housemanship in an MBBS course?
A6: No, the scholarship does not cover internships or housemanships.
Q7: By when will the scholarship be disbursed?
A7: Scholarships are usually disbursed within 3-6 months after application approval.
Q8: How do I track my application status?
A8: Log in to the NSP portal and check under “Application Status”.
Q9: What type of documents are required for submission?
A9: All documents should be in PDF/JPEG format, with a file size not exceeding 200KB.
Q10: Can students from all states apply for this scholarship?
A10: Yes, eligible students from all over India can apply.
Sources and References