Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for NER Students: Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme is a landmark initiative by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education. Designed specifically to enhance the reach of higher education in the North Eastern Region (NER), the scheme aims to provide equal opportunities to students from the 'Seven Sister' states and Sikkim, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder their academic aspirations.

What is this scheme?

Launched to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the North East, the Ishan Uday scholarship is awarded to 10,000 fresh students every year. It supports those pursuing general degree courses, technical and professional courses, including medical and paramedical studies, in recognized universities and colleges across India.

Who is eligible?

• The applicant must have a domicile of any North Eastern state (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura).
• The student must have passed Class XII or equivalent from a recognized board.
• The annual income of the parents from all sources must not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh.
• The candidate must have secured admission in the first year of a general or professional degree course in a recognized institution.
• Students pursuing courses through Distance Education or Open Universities are not eligible.
• Students already availing any other government scholarship are not eligible.

How much money?

The scholarship provides INR 5,400 per month for general degree courses and INR 7,800 per month for technical/medical/professional/paramedical courses, paid via DBT for the entire duration of the course.

Documents needed

1. Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority.
2. Annual Income Certificate issued by the state government authority.
3. Mark sheets of Class XII or equivalent.
4. Admission Receipt of the current course.
5. Aadhar Card of the student.
6. Bank Passbook (linked with Aadhar) for Direct Benefit Transfer.
7. Affidavit stating that the student is not receiving any other scholarship.

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
2. Click on 'New Registration' and read the guidelines carefully.
3. Select 'State of Domicile' and 'Scholarship Category' (Post Matric/Top Class/UGC).
4. Fill in the personal details and bank account information accurately.
5. Log in using the generated Application ID and Password.
6. Select the 'Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme' from the list of available schemes.
7. Upload the required scanned documents.
8. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference and institutional verification.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme is a vital bridge for students in North East India to access premium higher education across the country. By providing substantial monthly stipends, it empowers 10,000 students annually to pursue their professional dreams. For the most accurate and recent updates, students are advised to check the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the UGC website regularly.