If you’re a student from a minority community looking for financial assistance for higher education, the Merit Cum Means (MCM) Based Scholarship by the Ministry of Minority Affairs is a great opportunity. This scholarship is designed for students pursuing technical and professional courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and provides course fee reimbursement and a monthly maintenance allowance.
Who is Eligible?
Must belong to a minority community (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi).
Must be enrolled in a technical or professional course at a recognized undergraduate or postgraduate institution.
Academic Requirement: Must have scored at least 50% marks (or equivalent grade) in the previous final examination.
Income Limit: The family’s annual income should be ₹2.5 lakh or less from all sources.
Scholarship Cap: Only two students per family can avail of the scholarship.
Benefits of the Scholarship
Course Fee Coverage: Up to ₹20,000 per year or actual course fee (whichever is lower).
Monthly Allowance (for 10 months per academic year):
- ₹1,000 per month for hostellers.
- ₹500 per month for day scholars.
Full tuition reimbursement for students in listed institutes.
Who is NOT Eligible?
Students receiving any other Central Government scholarship (SC/ST/OBC/Minority-based).
Students violating school/college discipline or submitting false information.
Students failing to renew their scholarship within the specified cut-off date.
How to Apply? (Online Process via NSP Portal)
Step 1: New Registration
Visit the National Scholarships Portal (NSP).
Click on “New Registration” and read the guidelines before proceeding.
Enter your mobile number and verify with an OTP.
Complete the e-KYC process, if applicable.
Upon successful verification, an Application Reference Number will be generated.
Step 2: OTR ID Generation (for Face Authentication)
Download the NSP OTR App and AadhaarFaceRD services on your Android device.
Select “eKYC with FaceAuth”, enter your reference number, and click “Send OTP”.
Complete face authentication via AadhaarFaceRD services.
Upon successful verification, you will receive an OTR number on your registered mobile number.
Step 3: Submitting the Scholarship Application
Log in to the NSP Portal with your OTR ID and password.
Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and reset your password if needed.
Click on “Application Form” and fill in all required details.
Upload mandatory documents (see list below).
Click “Final Submit” after reviewing the details.
How to Track Payment Status?
- Visit Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and use your Aadhaar number, bank account number, or NSP Application ID to check your payment status.
Documents Required
Student’s Photograph
Institution Verification Form
Income Certificate issued by a competent authority
Self-certified Minority Community Certificate (for students above 18 years) or Parent/Guardian’s Community Certificate
Mark sheet of last qualifying examination
Fee receipt of current course year
Bank account details (of the student or parent/guardian)
Residential/Domicile Certificate
Bonafide Student Certificate (if studying outside domicile state)
Aadhaar Number or alternative identification proof
Key Things to Remember
The NSP portal announces the opening & closing dates for applications.
Applications undergo two-level verification – first by the institution and then by the State Nodal Agency.
Late renewal applications may not be permanently debarred, but missing the renewal deadline will lead to non-eligibility for that academic year.
This scholarship is a great opportunity for minority students to get financial support for higher education. If anyone has successfully applied for this scholarship, please share your experience!
For official details, visit: NSP Portal. 
