The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is one of India’s most important digital platforms for students seeking financial assistance. Managed by the Government of India, the portal centralizes several pre-matric, post-matric, and higher education scholarships, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and timely disbursal of funds. Instead of navigating multiple websites or filling repeated forms each year, students can now complete everything through one unified portal — from registration to scholarship tracking.
To make this process even smoother, NSP has introduced the One-Time Registration (OTR) system. This feature provides every student with a unique 14-digit identification number, linked to their Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). Once created, this OTR remains valid for the student’s entire academic journey, making future scholarship applications much faster and more reliable.
Whether you are in school or pursuing higher education, completing the OTR is now mandatory for applying to both Pre-Matric and Post-Matric SC Scholarships on NSP. The system ensures identity verification, prevents duplicate applications, and helps funds reach eligible candidates without delays. The guide below explains everything — from the requirements and rules to the complete step-by-step process of generating your OTR number through the official NSP OTR mobile app.
What Exactly Is One-Time Registration (OTR)?
The OTR is a unique 14-digit number created for each student and linked with their Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID. This number stays with them throughout their academic years. With this single ID, students don’t need to re-register every year or during each scholarship cycle.
Key Highlights of OTR
- OTR is mandatory for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric SC scholarships on NSP.
- Aadhaar is required for generating the OTR.
- If a student does not have Aadhaar, they can use their Aadhaar EID, but must update Aadhaar details within one month.
- For minors without Aadhaar, the parent/guardian’s Aadhaar can be used.
- A single Aadhaar can be linked to maximum two children.
- Only one OTR per student is allowed. Multiple OTRs lead to disqualification.
Important Facts About OTR
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| OTR Validity | Entire academic journey |
| Aadhaar Requirement | Mandatory (Aadhaar or EID) |
| For Minors | Parent/Guardian Aadhaar allowed (max 2 children) |
| Number of OTRs Allowed | Only 1 per student |
| Risk of Multiple OTRs | Leads to disqualification |
| Use of OTR | Required for all scholarship applications on NSP |
How to Generate OTR on the NSP OTR Mobile App
The NSP OTR App makes the registration process simple, but you must follow each step carefully to avoid errors. Below is the complete step-by-step process exactly as it happens on the app.
1. Install the Required Applications
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for the NSP OTR application and install it.
- Next, search for the Aadhaar Face RD application and install it as well.
2. Begin Registration
- Open the NSP OTR app.
- Tap the Register button.
- A guidelines page will appear — read the instructions, tick the “I Agree” checkboxes, and click Next.
3. Mobile Number Verification
- Enter your mobile number and click Send OTP.
- Enter the OTP received on your phone.
- Fill the captcha code and click Verify.
4. Aadhaar Authentication (e-KYC)
- Select “I have Aadhaar”.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- A consent form will appear — click I Agree.
- The app redirects you to Aadhaar Face RD.
- Allow camera permissions for face authentication.
- Follow the Face Authentication Advisories, tick the box, and click Proceed.
- Align your face within the circle and blink once to verify.
5. View Prefilled Details & Complete the Form
- After successful face authentication, a pop-up will show your NPCI mapper status, confirming if your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar.
- Your Aadhaar-based details will autofill.
- Enter your parents’ names and email address manually.
6. OTR Generation
- Your unique OTR number will now appear on the screen.
- The password will be sent to your registered mobile number.
7. Login & Email Verification
- Use the OTR number and password to log into the NSP OTR app.
- Click Verify Now under the email section.
- Enter the OTP sent to your email.
- Once verified, a tick mark will appear — your OTR setup is complete.
OTR Process Summary (At a Glance)
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Install Apps | NSP OTR App & Aadhaar Face RD |
| Verify Mobile | OTP-based verification |
| Aadhaar e-KYC | Face authentication required |
| Prefilled Details | Auto-filled Aadhaar details |
| Generate OTR | 14-digit unique number displayed |
| Final Verification | Email verification completes the process |
Common Mistakes to Avoid During OTR
- Incorrect Aadhaar Number
Even a single wrong digit causes mismatches, leading to failed verification. - Creating Multiple OTR IDs
More than one OTR per student results in permanent disqualification. - Aadhaar Seeding Failure
If Aadhaar is not linked to your bank account, the OTR cannot proceed. - Not Agreeing to T&C
Forgetting to tick the consent box blocks the next step. - Using Unsupported Devices
Older Android versions may prevent face authentication. - Entering Invalid Reference Numbers
Incorrect reference numbers delay registration or cause rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OTR?
A 14-digit unique ID linked to Aadhaar or EID, valid for a student’s entire academic journey.
Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes. Students without Aadhaar can use their EID but must update Aadhaar within one month.
What if Aadhaar seeding fails?
The NPCI will show a failure pop-up. Update bank/Aadhaar details and try again.
Can I create the Reference Number online?
Yes, through the NSP website or the NSP OTR app.
What happens if I enter the wrong Aadhaar number?
The system will not complete your verification, and OTR generation will fail.
Can a student have more than one OTR?
No. Multiple OTRs lead to scholarship disqualification.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | [Link Here] |
| Apply Online | [Link Here] |
| Official Website | [Link Here] |








