Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for NER: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Benefits & Application

To empower the youth of the North Eastern Region (NER) and encourage higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in gross enrollment ratios and provide financial support to meritorious students from the eight NER states pursuing general degree courses, technical and professional studies.

What is this scheme?

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship is a prestigious financial aid program exclusively for students with a domicile in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Every year, 10,000 fresh scholarships are awarded to students who have passed their Class XII or equivalent and have secured admission into a recognized college or university.

Who is eligible?

• Must have a domicile of any North Eastern State (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura).
• Must have passed Class XII or equivalent in the preceding academic year.
• Must have secured admission in the first year of any degree course (General/Technical/Professional/Medical/Paramedical).
• Annual family income must not exceed ₹4.5 Lakh from all sources.
• Students pursuing courses through open universities or distance learning are not eligible.
• Students already availing of other scholarships for the same course are ineligible.

How much money?

The scholarship provides ₹5,400 per month for general degree courses and ₹8,000 per month for technical, medical, and professional courses, distributed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Documents needed

1. Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority.
2. Annual Family Income Certificate.
3. Mark sheet of Class XII or equivalent.
4. Aadhaar Card or Aadhaar Enrollment slip.
5. Affidavit stating the student is not receiving any other scholarship.
6. Admission receipt or Bonafide Certificate from the institution.

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) official website.
2. Click on 'New Registration' and read the guidelines carefully.
3. Register by providing basic details such as name, state of domicile, and bank account info.
4. Log in using the Application ID and Password sent to your mobile number.
5. Fill out the application form specifically selecting the 'UGC - Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme'.
6. Upload the required scanned documents as per the specified format.
7. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
8. Ensure the institution verifies your application online for further processing.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship remains a pillar of support for students in the North East, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder high-potential careers. Eligible students are encouraged to apply early through the NSP portal and ensure all documentation is accurate to avoid rejection.