If you’re an agriculture student studying outside your home state, you’re eligible for up to ₹5,000 every month. But here is the reality check: The ICAR National Talent Scholarship (NTS) application closes on March 1, 2026.
With only three days left, the new National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is already getting glitchy. If you haven’t generated your OTR (One-Time Registration) yet, you need to do it tonight. Here is the “human-verified” guide to getting it done without losing your mind.
The Deadline: No, it probably won’t be extended.
Every year, students wait for a deadline extension that never comes.
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Final Date: March 1, 2026 (11:59 PM).
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The Server Rule: The portal usually crashes around 8 PM on the final day. Do not wait until Sunday night.
Why You Might Not See the “ICAR Scheme”
The most searched query right now is: “Why is the ICAR NTS scheme not showing on my NSP dashboard?” There are usually two reasons:
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The Domicile Trap: The system checks your Aadhaar address against your college address. If they are in the same state, the scheme will be hidden from you. You must be in a different state to qualify.
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College Registration: Your university’s Nodal Officer must “onboard” the college on the 2026 NSP portal first. If they haven’t updated their profile, you won’t see the scholarship. Go to your college office tomorrow morning if this is happening.
The “Face Auth” Headache (How to Fix It)
The 2026 portal requires Face Authentication via the NSP mobile app. It is notoriously difficult.
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The Trick: You must have TWO apps installed: “NSP OTR” and the “Aadhaar Face RD” app.
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The Lighting: The app won’t verify you in yellow light. Use natural sunlight or a bright white LED, and make sure you blink when the app tells you to.
Money Matters: How much will you actually get?
The money is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account (DBT).
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B.Sc. Agriculture (and allied): ₹3,000/month.
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M.Sc. / Ph.D. students: ₹5,000/month.
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The “Attendance” Cut: If your attendance drops below 75%, your college is required to report you, and your stipend will be paused.
Don’t Forget the “Bonafide” Format
The NSP has a specific 2026 template for the Bonafide Certificate.
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Do not upload a generic certificate from your college.
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Download the template from the NSP portal, get it signed and stamped by your Dean/Principal, and re-upload it. If the stamp is blurry, the “L1 Verification” will fail.
FAQ: Questions students are asking today
Q: I got admission via State Quota, can I apply?
A: No. NTS is strictly for those who cleared the CUET-UG (ICAR) or AIEEA-PG exams.
Q: Can I apply if my CGPA is low?
A: You need to maintain at least a 7.0 OGPA. If you’re a first-year student, your rank card is what matters for now.
Q: What if my Aadhaar doesn’t have my current mobile number?
A: You cannot apply. The OTR requires an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked number. Visit an Aadhaar Kendra immediately if you need to update it.