Ishan Uday Special Scholarship for North Eastern Region (NER) 2024-25: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme is a landmark initiative by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education designed specifically to promote higher education in the North Eastern Region of India. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by students in the seven sister states and Sikkim, this scholarship aims to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the NER and provide equal opportunities for pursuing professional and general degree courses across the country.

What is this scheme?

Launched in the 2014-15 academic year, the Ishan Uday Scholarship provides financial assistance to 10,000 meritorious students from the North East every year. The scheme supports students pursuing various undergraduate programs, including technical, medical, and general degree courses in recognized universities and colleges within or outside the North Eastern Region.

Who is eligible?

• Must be a permanent resident (domicile) of any North Eastern State (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura).
• Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board/school within the NER.
• Must have secured admission in the first year of any degree course (General/Technical/Professional/Medical/Paramedical) in a recognized University, College, or Institute.
• The annual family income from all sources must not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh.
• Students pursuing correspondence, distance, or open university courses are not eligible.
• Students already availing of other government scholarships for the same course are not eligible.

How much money?

As per latest notification, verify on official portal. Typically, selected students receive approximately INR 5,400 per month for general degree courses and INR 7,800 per month for technical/medical/professional/paramedical courses, disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Documents needed

1. Domicile Certificate issued by the competent Authority.
2. Annual Family Income Certificate.
3. Class 12 Marks-sheet and Passing Certificate.
4. Admission receipt or Bonafide Certificate from the current institution.
5. Aadhaar Card (linked to bank account).
6. Bank Passbook copy for account verification.
7. Recent passport-size photograph.

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. Fill in the registration form with personal, academic, and bank details.
4. Select 'UGC Schemes' from the scheme section and choose 'Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme'.
5. Upload the scanned copies of required documents as specified.
6. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
7. The application will undergo verification by the Institute/University and subsequently by the State Nodal Officer.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship is a transformative opportunity for students from the North East to overcome financial barriers and achieve their academic dreams. By providing substantial monthly stipends, the UGC ensures that merit is rewarded and talent from the NER is integrated into the mainstream higher education system. Eligible students are encouraged to monitor the National Scholarship Portal regularly to ensure they do not miss the application window.