If you’re planning to apply for scholarships in the 2025–26 academic year, you’ve probably seen the term OTR everywhere. It stands for One Time Registration, and it’s your first step before filling any scholarship form on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or state scholarship sites.
A lot of students ask — “What is the last date for OTR registration?” The short answer is:
OTR itself doesn’t have a separate deadline — but you must complete it before the scholarship scheme’s application deadline on NSP or your state portal.
Let’s break it down with actual NSP scholarship last dates for 2025–26.
📅 NSP Scholarship Deadlines (Academic Year 2025–26)
For the NSP, here’s when different schemes are closing for fresh and renewal applications:
| Scholarship Scheme / NSP Portal | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| NSP Scholarships (any scheme) – General closing date | May 31, 2025 |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | August 31, 2025 |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | August 30, 2025 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | October 31, 2025 |
| Top-Class Education Scheme for SC Students | October 31, 2025 |
| Other Central / UGC / Ministry Schemes | Varies — generally by Oct–Nov 2025 |
🗝️ Why OTR Matters for Scholarships
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One profile, multiple schemes – Fill details once, apply to many scholarships.
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Mandatory for NSP – Without OTR, you can’t start the application.
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Saves time & errors – Your info is stored and reused.
Since OTR is a prerequisite, doing it early ensures you don’t rush at the last minute.
📝 When to Complete OTR Registration
While OTR doesn’t have its own end date, you must finish it well before your target scholarship deadline.
For example:
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If you’re applying for NSP general schemes (last date May 31, 2025) → Do OTR by mid-May.
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For NMMS (last date Aug 31, 2025) → Do OTR by mid-August.
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For Post-Matric Disabilities (last date Oct 31, 2025) → Do OTR by mid-October.
⏳ Pro Tip – Don’t Wait Till the Last Day
NSP often sees heavy traffic near the deadline, which can cause slow portals or login errors.
Register for OTR as soon as the window opens for the academic year. For 2025–26, NSP registration opened on January 1, 2025.
🧾 Quick Steps for OTR Registration (NSP)
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Visit scholarships.gov.in
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Click “New Registration”.
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Fill in your personal details (name, DOB, Aadhaar, email, mobile, etc.).
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Set your user ID & password.
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Verify via OTP.
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Save your OTR number — you’ll use it for all applications.
📌 Final Words
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Full form of OTR: One Time Registration.
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OTR last date: No separate date — depends on the scholarship scheme deadline.
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Key tip: Do OTR at least 2 weeks before your chosen scheme’s last date.
If you’re aiming for NSP scholarships, mark May 31, 2025 as the critical date for most schemes, and remember — OTR first, application second.