Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026: Apply Online for UGC Scholarships for North Eastern Region Students

Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026: Empowering Students from the North Eastern Region

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched the Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme, a significant initiative aimed at fostering higher education among students hailing from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. This prestigious scholarship provides financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing undergraduate courses, ensuring that geographical and economic barriers do not impede their academic aspirations. For the academic session 2026-27, the UGC is offering 10,000 fresh scholarships, underscoring its commitment to equitable educational opportunities across the nation.

Comprehensive Overview & Notification Background

The Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme is a flagship program by the UGC designed to uplift students from the eight North Eastern States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by students in this region, the scheme aims to provide substantial financial support for their undergraduate studies. The notification for the 2026-27 academic session was released on 16 September 2026, with the application window opening on the same day. The application process is entirely online, managed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and will conclude on 31 October 2026. This initiative is crucial for encouraging students to pursue general degree courses, as well as technical, professional, medical, and paramedical courses, thereby contributing to the overall development of the region.

Vacancies Breakdown & Educational Eligibility Criteria

The Ishan Uday Scholarship is set to benefit a substantial number of students, with 10,000 fresh scholarships available for the academic year 2026-27. The selection is based on merit and adherence to specific eligibility criteria:

Educational Qualification:

• Candidates must have successfully passed their Class XII examination or an equivalent examination from a recognized board.
• The examination must have been completed from a board located within the North Eastern Region (NER). This includes boards like CBSE, ICSE, and NIOS operating within the NER.

Course Eligibility:

• The scholarship is applicable for students who have secured admission into the first year of a general degree course.
• It also covers students pursuing technical, professional, medical, or paramedical courses.
• The University, College, or Institution where the student is admitted must be recognized by the UGC.

Age Limit, Age Relaxation Rules, & Reservation Policy

The Ishan Uday Scholarship scheme does not specify a minimum or maximum age limit for applicants. The primary focus is on the candidate's domicile, educational qualification, and financial need. However, the scheme is exclusively for students who have completed their Class XII from a recognized board within the NER and are pursuing their first year of undergraduate studies. There are no specific age relaxation rules mentioned, as the scheme is not age-bound in the traditional sense of recruitment exams. The reservation policy is implicitly covered by the focus on students from the North Eastern Region, ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities.

Pay Scale, Salary Structure, Allowance, & Perks

The Ishan Uday Scholarship provides monthly financial assistance to selected students, directly disbursed to their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scholarship amounts are structured as follows:

• For General Degree Courses: ₹5,400 per month.
• For Technical, Medical, Professional, or Paramedical Courses: ₹7,800 per month.

These amounts are intended to cover essential living and academic expenses, enabling students to focus on their studies without undue financial stress. There are no additional allowances or perks beyond the monthly scholarship amount.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Ishan Uday Scholarship is merit-based, prioritizing academic achievement and adherence to the scheme's guidelines:

• Merit Basis: Candidates are selected based on their performance in the Class XII or equivalent examination.
• Tie-Breaking Criteria: In cases where multiple candidates have the same marks in Class XII, preference will be given to the candidate who secured higher marks in the Class X examination. If a tie still persists, the older candidate will be given preference.
• Document Verification: Applicants must ensure all submitted documents are accurate and verifiable.
• Final Selection: The final list of selected candidates will be published on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and may also be available on the UGC website.

Detailed Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The Ishan Uday Scholarship does not involve a written examination or a formal exam pattern. The selection is purely based on the marks obtained in the Class XII examination. Therefore, there is no specific marking scheme or subject-wise breakdown to detail here. Students are advised to focus on achieving the best possible results in their qualifying examinations.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fill the Online Application Form

The application process for the Ishan Uday Scholarship is conducted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and involves a two-phase approach starting from the 2024-25 session:

Phase 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)

1. Visit the NSP Portal: Go to the official National Scholarship Portal website.
2. Complete OTR: Look for the One-Time Registration (OTR) option and click on it.
3. Provide Details: You will need an active mobile number and Aadhaar number for registration. If Aadhaar is not assigned, an Enrolment ID (EID) can be used. For minor students without Aadhaar, their parent's or guardian's Aadhaar can be used.
4. eKYC: Complete the mandatory eKYC process, which may involve face authentication using the NSP OTR app available on the Google Play Store.
5. Obtain OTR ID: Upon successful registration and eKYC, you will receive a unique OTR ID. This ID is crucial for all future scholarship applications on the NSP.

Phase 2: Scholarship Application Form

1. Log In: Use your generated OTR ID and password to log in to the NSP application portal.
2. Select Scholarship: Navigate to the scholarship application section and select the 'Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme'.
3. Fill Application Form: Carefully fill in all the required details in the application form. This includes personal information, academic history (Class XII marks, etc.), course details, and parental income information.
4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all necessary documents as specified in the notification.
5. Review and Submit: Before final submission, review all the entered information for accuracy. Once satisfied, submit the application form.
6. Contact Institution: It is advisable to inform your college or university about your application for further processing, if required.

Important Guidelines & Documents Required for Verification

Applicants must adhere to the following guidelines and ensure they have the necessary documents ready:

Mandatory Documents:

• Domicile Certificate: A valid certificate proving your domicile in one of the North Eastern States.
• Class XII Marksheet: Marksheet of the qualifying Class XII examination or equivalent.
• Class X Marksheet: Marksheet of the Class X examination (for tie-breaking purposes).
• Income Certificate: An income certificate issued by a competent authority, certifying that the parental annual income does not exceed ₹4.5 lakh.
• Admission Proof: Proof of admission to the first year of an undergraduate course in a UGC-recognized institution.
• Aadhaar Card: For identity verification and linking with bank accounts.
• Bank Account Details: Details of an active bank account, preferably linked with Aadhaar and NPCI for DBT.
• Mobile Number: An active mobile number for communication and OTP verification.

Important Guidelines:

• Ensure all details provided in the application form are accurate and match the supporting documents.
• Applications submitted after the deadline (31 October 2026) will not be considered.
• Students pursuing courses through Open Universities, those already receiving other scholarships, or admitted through management quota are not eligible.
• Diploma courses not leading to a degree are also excluded.
• Keep your OTR ID and password safe for future reference and tracking.

Helplines and Support

For any queries or technical difficulties encountered during the application process, students can reach out for assistance:

• Phone: 0120-6619540
• Email: [email protected]

The UGC and the NSP team are committed to providing support to ensure a smooth application experience for all eligible students from the North Eastern Region.