Article Summary:
- The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a financial aid scheme launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India to support higher education. Under this scholarship, around 10,000 eligible undergraduate students receive financial assistance of up to INR 7,800 per month for technical, non-technical, medical, and professional courses.
- To apply, students must belong to the North Eastern Region, have completed Class 12 from a recognised institution in the region, and be enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate course. The application process is conducted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and candidates must meet the income and eligibility criteria.
- The selection is based mainly on Class 12 merit, and the scholarship amount is transferred directly to students bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. General degree students receive INR 5,400 per month, while technical and professional course students get INR 7,800 per month.
The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a special financial support scheme introduced for students from the North Eastern Region of India. This scholarship was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) along with the Ministry of Human Resource Development to encourage students to continue higher education. The main aim of this scheme is to improve the education level and increase the number of students enrolling in colleges and universities across the northeastern states.
Under the Ishan Uday Scholarship, around 10,000 scholarships are offered to deserving students from the North Eastern Region who want to pursue higher studies. The scheme was introduced during the 2014 to 2015 academic session to support students in building a better future through education. Students enrolled in undergraduate courses, including technical, non-technical, and medical programs, can apply for this scholarship. Eligible and approved candidates receive financial assistance of up to INR 7,800 per month during their course duration.
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the Scholarship | Ishan Uday |
| Conducting Body | Ministry of Human Resource Department, University Grants Commission |
| Sponsor | University Grants Commission |
| Applicable to | University Students of North Eastern Region, India |
| Age Limit | 18 years to 28 years |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.ugc.ac.in/ner/About.aspx. |
Contents
- 1 Objective of Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme
- 2 Important Dates
- 3 Eligibility Criteria of Ishan Uday Scholarship
- 4 Application Process for Ishan Uday Scholarship
- 5 Documents Required for Ishan Uday Scholarship
- 6 Selection Criteria for Ishan Uday Scholarship
- 7 How is the Ishan Uday Scholarship Distributed?
- 8 FAQs
Also Read: Telangana ePASS Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Process, and Important Dates
Objective of Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme
The Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme was introduced to support students from the North East Region and encourage them to continue higher education. The main objective of this scholarship is to reduce financial challenges and provide better educational opportunities to deserving students. Below are the key objectives of the scheme:
- Promote Higher Education in the North East Region: One of the main goals of the Ishan Uday Scholarship is to encourage students from the North East Region to pursue higher education. Many students face financial difficulties after completing school, which affects their academic journey. This scholarship helps bridge the gap between students educational dreams and available opportunities by offering financial support.
- Increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): The scholarship also aims to improve the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of students in Northeast India. In some northeastern states, the GER is lower compared to the national average, which highlights the need for educational support. By providing financial assistance, the scheme motivates more students to enrol in colleges and universities and continue their studies.
- Encourage Professional Education: Another important objective of the Ishan Uday Scholarship is to promote professional education among students in the region. Students are encouraged to choose career-focused and professional courses that help improve their knowledge and skills. This allows them to build expertise in their chosen field and improve future career opportunities.
- Proper Utilization of NER Budget Allocation: The scheme also focuses on making proper use of the North East Region (NER) budget allocation. The scholarship helps utilize the funds set aside for the development of the region in an effective way. In the long term, this can contribute to educational growth and overall regional development.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for Scholarship Payments: All scholarship payments under the Ishan Uday Scheme are transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This process ensures transparency and helps the scholarship amount reach the correct student by verifying the details provided in the application and bank documents.
Important Dates
To apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship, the candidates have to look forward to the dates of application. The application date sheet for 2024 is as follows:
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
| Application Deadline | 31st October 2023 |
| Defective Verification Last date | 31 January 2024 |
| Institutive Verification Last Date | 31 January 2024 |
Eligibility Criteria of Ishan Uday Scholarship
To get the benefits of the Ishan Uday Scholarship, candidates must meet the required eligibility criteria. Students who do not fulfil the conditions will not be considered eligible for the scholarship benefits. Applicants who qualify and want to apply for the scholarship must also submit the required documents during the application process.
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Who Can Apply?
Students who meet the required eligibility criteria can apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship. Before filling out the application form, it is important to check whether you qualify for the scholarship or not. Below are the eligibility requirements in simple words:
- Only students who belong to the North Eastern Region (NER) and have NER as their domicile are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
- Applicants must have successfully passed Class 12 from a recognised school located within the North Eastern Region (NER).
- Students who have completed their education through recognised boards such as CBSE, ICSE, or the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) are eligible to apply.
- To receive the scholarship, students must have taken admission to a university or institution in technical, non-technical, medical, or paramedical courses.
- Only first-year undergraduate students can apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship program.
- For integrated courses, the scholarship support continues for the full duration of the course. However, in dual-degree programs, the scholarship is available only for the first degree and does not continue for the second degree.
- The combined annual income of the student’s parents and the student should not exceed INR 4.5 lakh to become eligible for the scholarship.
- Transgender students can also apply for the scholarship and are eligible for reservation benefits as per the Government of India guidelines.
Who Cannot Apply?
The UGC has set specific rules for students applying for the Ishan Uday Scholarship. Students who do not meet the required eligibility criteria cannot apply for this scholarship. Apart from this, some categories of students are not eligible to become beneficiaries under the scheme.
The following students cannot apply for the scholarship:
- Students enrolled in Open Universities.
- Students who have already applied for Undergraduate scholarships under any other schemes.
- Students admitted under the Management Quota.
- Students are undergoing a non-degree course, such as a Diploma or Certificate.
Also Read: SSP Scholarship: Awards, How To Apply
Application Process for Ishan Uday Scholarship
Every year, the notification for the Ishan Uday Scholarship is released to invite eligible students to apply. The scholarship announcement is published in leading newspapers and employment news across the region. Students can also check the official UGC website for the latest scholarship notification and important updates.
The complete application process is online, and students can apply within the given application dates. Before starting the process, applicants should keep soft copies of all required documents ready to avoid any delays during submission. Follow the steps below to complete the application process easily.
- The new users should register themselves on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- After registration, candidates must enter details such as educational qualifications, Aadhaar number, enrolment number, bank account details, and state of domicile.
- Next, students need to fill in their personal details carefully and complete the registration process.
- Once registration is completed, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number, which can be used to log in to the account.
- After logging in, candidates can search for the Ishan Uday Scholarship application form, fill in the required information, upload the necessary documents, and submit the application form.
- Finally, students should download the submitted application form for future reference.
Documents Required for Ishan Uday Scholarship
Students applying for the Ishan Uday Scholarship must submit certain documents to confirm their identity and eligibility during the application process and at the time of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- For new applicants, submitting the Joining Form is mandatory during the scholarship registration process.
- Students who are already receiving the scholarship and want to continue must attach the Renewal Form while applying for renewal.
- Applicants also need to submit an income certificate showing that the family’s annual income is below INR 4.5 lakhs. This certificate must be issued and approved by the authorized authority of the state government.
- A Continuation Certificate is required if the student has completed another trimester and wants to continue receiving scholarship benefits.
- Candidates must also provide an affidavit confirming that they are not receiving any other scholarship for the same bachelor’s degree. The affidavit should be properly approved by a magistrate, SDM, or gazetted officer.
Selection Criteria for Ishan Uday Scholarship
The selection process for the Ishan Uday Scholarship is mainly based on merit. Candidates are selected based on their Class 12th marks, which are considered the primary factor during the selection process. The UGC conducts the selection and also holds the authority to withdraw or cancel the scholarship if required.
The list of selected candidates is published on the UGC website, and students can also download their award letters from there. The scholarship for each new batch starts from 1st April every year. Candidates must join the scholarship within 6 months from the date of receiving the award letter; otherwise, the scholarship may be cancelled.
Also Read: Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme
How is the Ishan Uday Scholarship Distributed?
The Ishan Uday Scholarship is distributed to fresh students every year across different states of North-Eastern India. Each state is given a fixed number of scholarship slots based on its population, which is calculated using the census report. Scholarships are distributed according to the slots assigned to each state. If some seats remain vacant in any state, those unfilled slots are combined and distributed equally among other states.
Students enrolled in a general degree course receive INR 5400 per month under the scholarship scheme. On the other hand, students pursuing professional, technical, or medical courses are provided INR 7800 per month. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
To receive the scholarship amount, students need to visit a partner bank branch associated with UGC. They must carry important documents such as the Award Letter and Joining Report during the process. Apart from this, applicants are also required to submit certain documents at the designated bank branch, which are explained later in the article.
Students selected for the scholarship must submit a ‘Continuation Certificate’ every three months to continue receiving the benefits. At the end of each academic year, candidates also need to submit a renewal form along with a copy of their mark sheet. After completing the course, students are required to submit a photocopy of their degree certificate to the bank.
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FAQs
No, the Ishan Uday Scholarship is not available for post-graduation students. This scholarship scheme is specially designed for first-year undergraduate students from the North Eastern Region of India. It provides financial support to help eligible students continue their higher education without financial difficulties.
Students can check the Ishan Uday Scholarship status through the official website of the University Grants Commission (UGC). All important updates, notifications, and scholarship details are available there. The organisation also publishes a state-wise merit list on the official UGC portal, allowing students to track scholarship-related updates easily.
Students applying for the renewal of the Ishan Uday Scholarship must be promoted to the next semester or academic year. To renew the scholarship, visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and choose the ‘Renewal’ option while logging in. Enter the same login details used during registration, complete the renewal process, upload the required documents, and submit the application form successfully.
For more such updates, keep an eye on Leverage Edu’s Indian scholarships page, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram,Facebook and Linkedin.

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