National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies An Informative content page by Dasari NikhilM.A (Politics and International Relations),Pondicherry University,Puducherry - 605014 Many students perform well in their undergraduate studies and wish to continue their education at the postgraduate level. However, the cost of higher education can sometimes make it difficult for students to continue their studies. The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies is an initiative of the University Grants Commission (UGC) that provides financial assistance to eligible students to pursue postgraduate degree programmes. Under the scheme, 10,000 scholarships are offered every year. A selected student can receive ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year. The scholarship is available for two years, which means the total financial assistance can be up to ₹3 lakh over the two-year period. The scheme aims to encourage students to continue their education after graduation and pursue postgraduate studies in recognised institutions. Why is this Scholarship Important? Postgraduate education allows students to gain deeper knowledge in a particular subject and can prepare them for employment, research, teaching and other professional opportunities. However, students may have to manage several expenses while pursuing higher education. Financial assistance through a scholarship can reduce some of the financial pressure on students and their families. The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies therefore provides an opportunity for eligible students to continue their postgraduate education with financial support. Key Information at a Glance Particular Details Name of Scheme National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies Implementing Organisation University Grants Commission (UGC) Number of Scholarships 10,000 per year Scholarship Amount ₹15,000 per month Payment Period 10 months in an academic year Duration 2 years Maximum Assistance Up to ₹3 lakh Mode of Study Regular/Full-Time Age Limit 30 years Application Platform National Scholarship Portal Who Can Apply? Students should satisfy the conditions prescribed under the scheme to be considered for the scholarship. 1. Students entering the first year of PG The applicant should be admitted to the first year of a postgraduate degree programme. This means that the scholarship is intended for students who are beginning their postgraduate degree rather than students who are already in the later stage of the course. 2. First postgraduate degree The scholarship is intended for students pursuing their first postgraduate degree. For example, a student who has completed a Bachelor's degree and is entering an eligible postgraduate degree programme may be considered, subject to the other conditions of the scheme. A student who has already obtained a postgraduate degree should not apply for another PG degree under this scholarship. 3. Regular or Full-Time Study The postgraduate programme should be pursued through the Regular/Full-Time mode. Students pursuing postgraduate studies through distance, correspondence or part-time modes are not covered under the scheme. 4. Eligible Institution The student should be admitted to an eligible university, college or institution. Students should verify the eligibility of their institution and programme before applying. 5. Age Requirement The UGC specifies an age limit of 30 years for the scholarship. Students should check the latest scheme notification for the applicable interpretation of the age requirement for the relevant admission year. How to Apply? Applications are made through the Official NSP website. Students should follow the application instructions given on the portal for the relevant academic year. I have provided the steps to apply for this scholarship, which as follows Step 1: Visit the National Scholarship Portal : Go to the official National Scholarship Portal: National Scholarship Portal Step 2: Complete Registration : Students should complete the registration process required on the portal. Step 3: Find the Scholarship : After logging in, look for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies scheme. Step 4: Enter the Required Information : The applicant should provide the details requested in the application form. Step 5: Check the Information : Before submitting the form, students should carefully check all the information entered. Step 6: Submit the Application : After checking the information, submit the application within the deadline specified for that academic year. Step 7: Verification : The application is subject to the prescribed verification process. Students should regularly check the status of their application on the National Scholarship Portal. How Much Financial Assistance is Provided? The scholarship provides ₹15,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year, which is ₹1,50,000 per year. As this scholarship is available for two years, the total amount a student gets is ₹3,00,000. How Many Students Receive the Scholarship? The scheme provides 10,000 scholarship slots every year. Since the number of scholarships is limited, students who meet the eligibility requirements are not automatically guaranteed a scholarship. Applications are considered according to the applicable selection and verification process. Therefore, students should submit their applications correctly and within the prescribed period. Which Courses are Covered? The scholarship is available for eligible recognised postgraduate degree programmes. The UGC specifies that the nomenclature and duration of the postgraduate programme should comply with the applicable UGC requirements. Students should therefore check whether their particular postgraduate programme is covered before submitting an application. Scholarship for Integrated Programmes Students enrolled in eligible integrated programmes can also be covered according to the scheme provisions. However, the scholarship is applicable to the postgraduate component of an integrated programme. Students enrolled in such programmes should check the latest UGC guidelines to understand how the scholarship applies to their course. Documents to Keep Ready The documents required may depend on the application instructions for the particular academic year. Students should generally keep the following information/documents ready: Identity proof Passport-size photograph, where required (in required kbs) Graduation marksheets Proof of date of birth Postgraduate admission or registration details Bonafide/student certificate, if required Bank account details Details of the university/college Category certificate, where applicable Disability certificate, where applicable Any other document requested on the portal Students should ensure that the information in their application matches their official documents. What Should Students Do After Applying? Submitting the application is not the end of the process. Students should: Keep the application/acknowledgement details safely. Check the application status regularly. Respond to any correction or verification request within the given time. Stay in contact with their institution if institutional verification is pending. Check the National Scholarship Portal for official updates. Avoid depending on information received through unverified social media posts or messages. Be Careful About Fake Scholarship Offers Students should be careful when receiving scholarship-related messages through WhatsApp, social media, email or phone calls. Do not share: OTPs Passwords ATM PINs Internet banking passwords Other confidential banking information For accurate information, students should rely on official sources such as the UGC and the National Scholarship Portal. Final Takeaway The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies provides an opportunity for eligible students to receive financial assistance while pursuing postgraduate education. With 10,000 scholarship slots every year and financial assistance of ₹1.5 lakh per year for two years, a selected student can receive up to ₹3 lakh during the scholarship period. Students who are planning to pursue a postgraduate degree should check their eligibility, verify whether their institution and course are covered, and apply through the National Scholarship Portal within the prescribed period. References https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/Guidelines_NATIONAL_SCHOLARSHIP_FOR_POSTGRADUATE_STUDIES_UGC_2324.pdf National Scholarship Portal https://scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships https://scholarships.gov.in/public/FAQ/FAQ_NSPG.pdf UGC – National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies