Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme: Empowerment for North Eastern Students

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme is a landmark initiative by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Designed specifically to enhance the reach of higher education in the North Eastern Region (NER), this scholarship aims to provide financial support to meritorious students from the 'Seven Sister' states and Sikkim, encouraging them to pursue professional and general degree courses across the country.

What is this scheme?

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship was launched to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the North East. It provides 10,000 fresh scholarships every year for students who have passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination. The scheme covers general degree courses, technical and professional courses, including medical and paramedical studies, in recognized universities and colleges within India.

Who is eligible?

• The applicant must be a domicile of the North Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura).
• The student must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board in the NER.
• The annual family income of the applicant must not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh per annum.
• The student must have secured admission in the first year of any degree course (General/Professional) in a recognized university, college, or institute.
• Dual scholarship holders are not eligible; the student should not be receiving any other financial assistance for the same course.
• Students pursuing correspondence or distance education courses are not eligible.

How much money?

The scholarship amount is distributed as follows: INR 5,400 per month for general degree courses and INR 7,800 per month for technical/medical/professional/paramedical courses. The amount is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Documents needed

1. Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority.
2. Income Certificate issued by the designated state authority.
3. Mark sheet of Class 12 or equivalent.
4. Aadhar Card / Proof of Identity.
5. Bonafide Student Certificate issued by the Head of the Institution.
6. Bank Passbook copy for account verification (linked with Aadhar).
7. Affidavit stating the student is not receiving any other scholarship.

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website.
2. Click on 'New Registration' and read the guidelines carefully.
3. Select the Scholarship Category as 'Post-Matric' and provide your state of domicile and other personal details.
4. Log in using the Application ID and Password sent to your registered mobile number.
5. Fill in the application form and select 'Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for NER' from the list.
6. Upload the required scanned documents as per the specified formats.
7. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
8. The application will undergo verification by the Institute and the State Nodal Officer.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme remains a vital bridge for students from the North East to achieve their academic aspirations without financial constraints. By supporting 10,000 students annually, the government is ensuring a brighter future for the youth of NER. Eligible students are encouraged to keep their documents ready and apply via the National Scholarship Portal well before the deadline.