Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region

Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region is a central government scheme run by the University Grants Commission (UGC) that gives financial support to students from the North Eastern Region to complete higher education. The scheme is open for the 2026-27 academic year and applications are accepted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

This scheme was started by the Ministry of Education and the UGC to promote higher education across the North Eastern Region, improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), and support students from poor families. It has been running since the 2014-15 academic session and continues to offer 10,000 fresh scholarships every year for general degree courses as well as technical and professional programmes, including medical and paramedical fields.

Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region - Introduction

The scheme is a joint effort of the UGC and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. It was designed after talks with state and central institutions, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, and the North Eastern Council in Shillong. The main aim is to give equal chances for higher studies, raise the regional GER, and make good use of the money set aside for the area.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the UGC has asked Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to make sure that Institutional Nodal Officers (INOs) check and approve or reject scholarship applications within 15 days of receiving them on the NSP. This quick checking gives students enough time to fix any mistakes in their application before the portal closes.

Students must first get a One-Time Registration (OTR) number on the NSP before applying. The application process is fully online and there is no application fee.

Key Information

Benefits

The UGC provides 10,000 fresh scholarships every year to eligible students from the North Eastern Region. The financial help depends on the course of study and is paid for the full duration of the first degree, which is between 3 and 5 years.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the annual financial assistance for this scheme is up to ₹80,000 per year. Depending on the course, the yearly help ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹80,000. The amount is paid directly into the bank account of the student through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, processed through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

The scholarship starts from the date of admission confirmed by the college or university. For integrated and dual degree programmes, the support is available only for the undergraduate part of the course.

Eligibility

To apply for this scholarship, a student should meet the following criteria:

• The student must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam from a school situated within the North Eastern Region through a recognized Board of Education.
• The student must be admitted to the first year of an undergraduate degree programme through the regular or full time mode at a recognized university or college that holds a valid AISHE code.
• The annual income of the parents from all sources should be below ₹4.50 lakh. For example, if a family earns ₹4,00,000 a year, it is eligible, but if the income is ₹5,00,000, it does not qualify.
• The course of study must be a recognized undergraduate degree programme as specified and notified by the UGC from time to time.

Eligible institutions include central or state government funded universities, deemed universities under the UGC Act, institutes of national importance, and institutions recognized by statutory councils. Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply, and reservations are provided as per Government of India norms.

Renewal Guidelines:

• The scholarship can be renewed for the full duration of the first degree, provided the student keeps good conduct and meets the required attendance levels.
• An annual progress report, certified by the registrar, director, or principal of the institution, must be submitted each year to qualify for renewal.
• If a student fails to be promoted to the next academic level, the scholarship is lost. Changing the course of study also leads to the forfeiture of the benefits.

Exclusions

A student is not eligible for this scholarship in the following cases:

• The student is pursuing the course through an Open University.
• The student is already getting financial help or a scholarship for the same undergraduate programme under any other scheme.
• The student got admission through a management quota.
• The student is enrolled in a diploma course that does not lead to a formal degree.
• The family income is more than the ₹4.50 lakh limit.

Application Process

Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal. The first step is to get a One-Time Registration (OTR) number.

STEP 1 - Open the National Scholarship Portal homepage and click on the New Registration option to start the OTR framework. Read the guidelines, accept the terms, and continue.

STEP 2 - Provide the Aadhaar card or Aadhaar Enrollment ID (EID) along with an active mobile number. Fill in the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to the phone to complete the authentication.

STEP 3 - Generate the new 14-digit OTR number and set up the dashboard password. Log in to the profile using the OTR credentials.

STEP 4 - Enter the current university roll status, qualifying marks, and institutional tracking details. Go to the UGC central schemes section and choose the Ishan Uday scholarship.

STEP 5 - Attach clear scanned copies of the required documents, check all the details for accuracy, and click the final Submit button. The payment status can be tracked anytime on the PFMS portal using the Aadhaar or bank account number.

Documents

When applying, keep the following documents ready:

1. Domicile certificate issued by a competent authority.
2. Proof of annual parental income issued by a competent authority.
3. An annual progress report for renewal applications, verified by the institution.
4. Any other specific documents asked by the college during the verification process.

References

Official UGC Scheme Page | PFMS Portal | UMANG Portal Services

FAQ's

What is the mode of payment?

The scholarship is paid directly to the bank account of the student through the DBT method, processed through PFMS.

What is the scholarship amount for 2026-27?

The annual financial assistance is up to ₹80,000 per year. Depending on the course, the yearly help ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹80,000.

How do I get an OTR number?

Open the National Scholarship Portal, click New Registration, provide the Aadhaar number and mobile number, and complete the OTP authentication to get the 14-digit OTR number.

Can I save my application halfway?

Yes, the application can be saved as a draft and completed later before the deadline.

How do I track my application status?

The progress can be checked on the Applicant Dashboard by clicking the track option in the left pane.

What are the size and format requirements for uploaded documents?

Documents should be uploaded in PDF or JPEG format, with each file no larger than 200 KB.

Is there an application fee?

No, the entire application process is free.

Can I apply offline?

No, the application must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal.

Which states are considered North Eastern?

The region includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.