How to Renew Your NSP Scholarship
Your NSP scholarship does not automatically continue — you must apply for renewal every year within the window. This guide walks you through every step to ensure your scholarship stays active.
Log In to Your Existing NSP Account
Go to scholarships.gov.in and log in using your original Application ID and password from when you first registered. Do NOT create a new account — doing so creates a duplicate and blocks your original scholarship record. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page, which sends a reset link to your registered email or mobile.
- Your Application ID starts with a year prefix (e.g., NSP/2023/...) — check your original acknowledgement slip
- If your registered mobile number has changed, you will need to contact the NSP helpline for account recovery
- Log in early — waiting until the deadline creates server congestion and makes uploads unreliable
Check Your Renewal Eligibility
Renewal is not automatic — your scholarship can only be continued if you meet certain conditions: you must have passed the previous year's examination (or be in good standing), your family income must still be within the scheme's limit, and you must still be enrolled in the same or a continuing course. Some schemes have minimum attendance or minimum marks requirements for renewal. Check the specific scheme's renewal conditions before proceeding.
- If you failed a year, renewal eligibility depends on the scheme — some allow one failed year, others do not
- A change in course or institution does not automatically disqualify you, but must be disclosed
- Income certificates must be re-issued for the current year — last year's certificate is not accepted for renewal
Update Your Institute and Course Details
On your renewal application, verify that your current institution and course details are correctly populated. If you have moved to a new institution or a higher year of the same course, update these fields. The institution must still be NSP-registered — if you transferred to a new college, confirm they are on NSP before applying. Update your current year of study and course year accurately.
- If you moved to a new institution, check their NSP registration status before applying
- Verify the academic year / session on NSP matches your current enrolment period
- If your course has changed (e.g., from BA to BEd), check whether the new course qualifies under your scheme
Upload Fresh Documents
Renewal requires re-uploading several documents. Some carry over from your original application (caste certificate if unchanged), while others must be fresh for every renewal year. As a rule of thumb: any document that changes annually (income certificate, bonafide certificate, fee receipt, marksheet) must be re-uploaded. Documents that do not change (Aadhaar, caste certificate for SC/ST) may not need re-upload, but always confirm with your institution's nodal officer.
- Income certificate: re-issue required every year, even if income hasn't changed
- Bonafide certificate: get a fresh one from your institution for the current academic year
- Marksheet: upload your latest year's result showing you have progressed in the course
- Fee receipt: must be for the current year from your institution
- Bank passbook: upload if your account has changed; otherwise the existing details may carry over
Submit Before the Deadline
NSP renewal windows are strictly time-bound and announced by the government each year through the NSP portal and state notifications. Missing the renewal window almost always means losing that year's scholarship — backdated renewals are rarely granted and only in extraordinary circumstances. Watch the NSP portal and your state welfare department's website for the renewal window announcement. Submit at least two weeks before the deadline to give the institute time for verification.
- Set a reminder at the start of each academic year to check the NSP renewal window
- The renewal window usually opens after mid-July and typically closes by end of October — check the current year
- Submit your renewal application in your account under "Renewal Application", not "New Application"
- After submission, immediately follow up with your institute for verification — the clock is ticking
Common Renewal Mistakes
Avoid these mistakes to ensure your scholarship continues without interruption year after year.
What If You Miss the Renewal Window?
Missing the NSP renewal window is a serious situation. Most schemes do not allow backdated renewals — if the window closes before you submit, that year's scholarship is typically lost. However, there are a few possible avenues:
First, check whether the state has extended the renewal window — states sometimes announce short extensions for operational reasons. Watch your state's welfare department website and the NSP portal for announcements.
Second, if there was a genuine emergency (hospitalisation, natural disaster, internet outage in your area) you can write to your state's nodal officer with evidence and request an exception. These are granted rarely and at the state's discretion — there is no guaranteed remedy.
Third, you may be eligible to apply as a fresh applicant in the next academic year if you still meet the income and eligibility criteria — but you will lose the current year's amount entirely.
Mark the NSP renewal window in your calendar at the start of every academic year. Subscribe to NSP's notification emails and follow your state welfare department's announcements. Submitting early gives the institute sufficient time to verify before the deadline.