NEW DELHI: The Union Agriculture Ministry has launched the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)-Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for agriculture students, with scholarships and fellowships worth Rs 21.35 crore released to more than 6,000 students. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the initiative at ICAR-IARI, Pusa.Under the new system, scholarship amounts for agriculture students will be transferred directly through DBT, with monthly payments intended to reduce delays in the release of financial assistance. The initiative is aimed at making scholarship disbursement more streamlined and allowing students to focus on their education.Chouhan stresses practical agricultural educationAddressing students, Chouhan said scholarships should support stronger and more practical agricultural education. He stressed the importance of practical training, noting that classroom learning alone cannot prepare students to become farmers, scientists or agricultural entrepreneurs.“Examination, admission and payment – all must happen on time; that is the real test of any system,” Chouhan said.He also encouraged students to share suggestions for improving agricultural education and training. He said young people should look beyond employment and participate in innovation, research and start-ups.NSP-DBT aims to streamline scholarship paymentsThe NSP-DBT system is intended to make scholarship distribution faster, transparent and seamless. Under the framework, eligible students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal after completing One-Time Registration (OTR).For the 2026-27 academic year, the NSP portal opened on June 1, 2026. The deadline for most Post-Matric and Higher Education scholarships is October 31, 2026.
| NSP milestone | Target date |
| Portal opening | June 1, 2026 |
| Pre-Matric scholarship deadline | August 31, 2026 |
| Post-Matric/Higher Education deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Institute-level verification | November 15, 2026 |
| District/State-level verification | November 30, 2026 |
| First monthly DBT cycle | December 2026 |
How agriculture students can applyStep 1: Visit the official National Scholarship Portal.Step 2: Complete OTR using the NSP OTR App, if required.Step 3: Select “Apply Fresh” on the portal.Step 4: Provide Aadhaar, mobile and academic details.Step 5: Select the relevant ICAR or Agriculture Ministry scheme.Step 6: Upload the required documents and submit the application for verification.Students applying for state-sponsored schemes should also check the relevant state portal and deadlines.Minister calls for innovation and environmental actionChouhan said food security, nutrition and farmers’ income security remain priorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He credited ICAR scientists and farmers with strengthening India’s foodgrain reserves and agricultural progress.He also appealed to agriculture students at ICAR institutions to undertake plantation activities on Hariyali Amavasya. Union Minister of State Bhagirath Choudhary, ICAR Director General M.L. Jat and other officials, scientists and students attended the programme, with thousands joining online.
