UGC National Scholarship for PG Studies 2026-27: ₹1.5 Lakh a Year, Eligibility, Last Date & How to Apply

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has opened applications for the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) 2026-27 on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The scheme supports meritorious students in the first year of their first postgraduate degree with a scholarship of ₹15,000 per month for 10 months a year, which works out to ₹1,50,000 per year, for the two years of the PG programme.

The scheme opened on NSP on 16 September 2026, and the last date for students to apply is 31 October 2026. Up to 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year, and there is no family income limit.

UGC NSPGS 2026-27: Overview

What Is the UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies?

NSPGS is UGC's umbrella scholarship for postgraduate students. As per UGC's official FAQ on the National Scholarship Portal, it was formed by merging four earlier UGC postgraduate schemes:

• PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child

• PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders

• PG Scholarship for SC/ST Students Pursuing Professional Courses

• Post Graduate Scholarship for GATE/GPAT

These schemes no longer run separately on NSP. Students who earlier looked for the single girl child or rank holder PG scholarship should now apply under NSPGS. The old single girl child amount of ₹36,200 per year no longer applies; the NSPGS amount is ₹15,000 per month.

UGC NSPGS Scholarship Amount 2026-27

The scholarship for the second year is released only after the student submits a renewal application on NSP.

Number of Scholarships and Reservation

UGC awards up to 10,000 scholarships every year under NSPGS. Slots are distributed as follows:

• 50% for Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law and Management

• 50% for Science, Engineering and Technology, Medical, Technical, Agriculture and Forestry

• 30% of slots are reserved for women candidates

• Slots also follow the Government of India reservation policy

Preference for Single, Twin and Fraternal Girl Child

The slots reserved for women are filled first by single, twin or fraternal girl children, without considering their UG marks. The remaining women's slots are filled on merit. A single girl child means the only girl child in the family, with no brothers or sisters. Twin and fraternal daughters are also covered under this provision.

UGC NSPGS Eligibility 2026-27

Educational Qualification

• The student must have a UG degree from a recognised university or institution.

• The student must be admitted to the first year of a PG degree programme in the 2026-27 academic year.

• The scholarship is only for the student's first PG degree. Students who already hold a PG degree are not eligible.

• In integrated programmes, only the PG component is covered.

Age Limit

The student must be below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first semester or first year of the PG programme.

Mode of Study

Only regular, full-time PG courses are eligible. Open, distance, correspondence, private and part-time modes are not covered.

Eligible Institutions

• Institutions under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act with valid NAAC accreditation

• Deemed-to-be universities (Section 3) with valid NAAC accreditation

• Degree-awarding institutions fully funded by the Central or State Government

• Institutions of National Importance

The institution must also have a valid AISHE code to process applications on NSP.

Income Limit

There is no family income limit for NSPGS.

UGC NSPGS Selection Process 2026-27

1. Online application on the National Scholarship Portal

2. Institute verification by the Institutional Nodal Officer (INO)

3. District, state and ministry level verification

4. All-India merit list prepared on the basis of UG marks, with Class 12 marks used as a tie-breaker

There is no exam or interview for NSPGS. Results are normally declared in November or December.

Important Dates

NSP deadlines are sometimes extended. Candidates should check scholarships.gov.in for the latest dates.

How to Apply for UGC NSPGS 2026-27

The application is submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal.

Step 1: Visit the National Scholarship Portal

Go to the official portal, scholarships.gov.in.

Step 2: Complete One Time Registration (OTR)

Complete the One Time Registration on NSP, if not done already, to get your OTR ID.

Step 3: Log In and Select the Scheme

Log in and select National Scholarship For Post Graduate Studies listed under UGC.

Step 4: Fill the Application Form

Enter your personal, academic and bank details carefully. Make sure your name and details match your Aadhaar and academic records.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Review all details and submit the application before 31 October 2026. Save a copy of the submitted application for future reference.

Step 6: Get Your Application Verified by Your Institute

Submit the required documents to your institute and inform your Institutional Nodal Officer (INO). The institute must verify your application by 15 November 2026, or it will not move forward.

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card

• UG degree certificate and marksheets

• Class 12 marksheet

• Proof of admission to the first year of the PG programme

• Date of birth proof

• Bank account details (Aadhaar-seeded account)

• Single, twin or fraternal girl child certificate or proof, where applicable

• Category certificate, where applicable

• Other documents required by the institute or scheme guidelines

Important Conditions

• A student receiving NSPGS cannot hold any other scholarship, fellowship, salary or stipend during the award period.

• NSPGS is a merit-based scheme on NSP. Under NSP rules for 2026-27, a student can apply for only one merit-based scheme in a year, along with eligible welfare-based schemes.

• Changing the course or institution during the award period leads to discontinuation of the scholarship.

• The second-year scholarship requires a renewal application on NSP.

Important Points for Candidates

• UGC NSPGS 2026-27 opened on NSP on 16 September 2026.

• The last date for students to apply is 31 October 2026.

• The scholarship is ₹15,000 per month for 10 months a year (₹1,50,000 per year) for 2 years.

• Up to 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year.

• Only first-year students of their first PG degree in regular, full-time mode can apply.

• Students must be below 30 years at the time of PG admission.

• There is no income limit.

• 30% of slots are reserved for women, and single, twin or fraternal girl children are selected first for those slots.

• Selection is on all-India merit based on UG marks.

• Institutes must verify applications by 15 November 2026.

FAQs

What is the UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies?

It is a merit-based UGC scholarship for students in the first year of their first PG degree. It offers ₹15,000 per month for 10 months a year for two years.

What is the last date to apply for UGC NSPGS 2026-27?

The last date for students to apply is 31 October 2026.

How much is the NSPGS scholarship amount?

The scholarship is ₹15,000 per month for 10 months, which is ₹1,50,000 per year, for two years.

How many scholarships are given under NSPGS?

Up to 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year, or as decided by UGC.

Is there an income limit for NSPGS?

No. There is no family income limit for this scholarship.

What is the age limit for NSPGS?

The student must be below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first year of the PG programme.

Can distance or part-time PG students apply?

No. Only students in regular, full-time PG courses are eligible.

Is the single girl child PG scholarship still available?

The PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child has been merged into NSPGS. Single, twin and fraternal girl children now get preference within the 30% slots reserved for women under NSPGS.

Is there an exam for NSPGS?

No. Selection is based on all-India merit using UG marks, with Class 12 marks used as a tie-breaker.

Where can I apply for UGC NSPGS 2026-27?

Applications are submitted online on the National Scholarship Portal, scholarships.gov.in.

Conclusion

The UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies 2026-27 offers eligible first-year PG students ₹1.5 lakh a year for two years, with no income limit and a dedicated preference for single, twin and fraternal girl children within the women's quota.

Eligible students should apply on the National Scholarship Portal before 31 October 2026 and make sure their institute verifies the application by 15 November 2026. Candidates should check scholarships.gov.in for any update or extension before applying.

Apply Here

Apply for UGC National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies 2026-27