Scholarships Closing This October 2026: Key Deadlines to Track

Major NSP Deadline: October 31

The last date to apply for most schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, including AICTE’s Pragati, Saksham and Swanath schemes and PM-USP CSSS renewals, is 31 October 2026. Several other central schemes run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways, including PM YASASVI, share the same deadline.

Private Scholarships Closing Sooner

Students should also note earlier deadlines: the Bajaj Finserv and Reliance Foundation scholarship programmes close on 5 October 2026, while the Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Program runs until 26 October 2026.

What Happens After You Apply

Once applications close, institute verification for NSP scholarships continues until 15 November, with Level-2 nodal checks closing on 30 November — so students should ensure their institutes complete verification promptly after applying.

Tips for Applicants

Students are advised to keep income certificates, bank details and academic documents ready in advance, and to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute portal congestion.

Sourced from Careerindia and WeMakeScholars scholarship trackers, September 2026.