Ishan Uday Special Scholarship: Financial Aid for NE Students

The University Grants Commission (UGC) launched the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme to bridge the gap in higher education access for students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by students in the eight NE states, this scheme aims to promote professional studies and technical education by providing significant financial support directly to the students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

What is this scheme?

Ishan Uday is a specialized scholarship program designed specifically for students who have a domicile in the North Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura). It supports students pursuing general degree courses, technical, and professional courses in recognized universities and colleges within or outside the region.

Who is eligible?

• Must be a permanent resident (domicile) of any North Eastern state (NER).
• Must have passed Class XII or equivalent from a recognized board.
• Must have secured admission in the first year of any degree course (General/Technical/Professional).
• Annual family income from all sources must not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh.
• The applicant must be pursuing education in a government-recognized University, College, or Institute.
• Students pursuing courses through Open Universities or distance learning are not eligible.

How much money?

As per latest notification, verify on official portal. Typically, selected candidates receive approximately INR 5,400 per month for general degree courses and INR 7,800 per month for technical/professional/medical/paramedical courses.

Documents needed

1. Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority.
2. Family Income Certificate issued by the designated state authority.
3. Aadhaar Card copy.
4. Mark sheets of Class XII / Qualifying examination.
5. Current year Admission Receipt or Bonafide Certificate from the college/university.
6. Joint Bank Account (Preferably with parents) or individual account details linked with Aadhaar.

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website.
2. Register as a new user by providing basic details and obtaining an Application ID and Password.
3. Log in to the portal and select the 'Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme' under the UGC section.
4. Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and bank details correctly.
5. Upload the scanned copies of the required documents.
6. Review the application and submit it before the deadline.
7. Track the application status through the NSP portal regularly.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship is a transformative initiative by the UGC that ensures financial constraints do not hinder the academic aspirations of bright minds from the North East. By providing substantial monthly stipends, it empowers students to focus on their higher education and contribute to the national growth. Students are encouraged to keep their documents ready and apply through the NSP portal within the stipulated timelines.