The Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 applications are currently open on the National Scholarship Portal. Students can apply from 16 September 2026 to 31 October 2026. The University Grants Commission (UGC) runs this scheme specifically for students from the North Eastern Region who have recently joined the first year of a regular undergraduate degree. Selected candidates receive ₹5,400 per month for general degree courses and ₹7,800 per month for technical, medical, professional, and paramedical courses. Furthermore, the UGC awards 10,000 fresh scholarships every year. However, students must ensure their parental income remains below ₹4.50 lakh per annum.
If you passed Class 12 in 2026 from a school in the North East and currently study in the first year of a BA, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Tech, MBBS, Nursing, or a similar regular degree course, this guide provides the exact eligibility rules. You will also learn about required documents, the application process on the portal, and common mistakes that cause rejections.
Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region |
| Offered By | University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education |
| Academic Session | 2026–27 |
| Who Can Apply | First-year UG students with North East domicile |
| Total Slots | 10,000 fresh scholarships per year |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹5,400/month (general degree) or ₹7,800/month (technical / medical / professional / paramedical) |
| Income Limit | ₹4.50 lakh per annum (parents, from all sources) |
| Tenure | 3 to 5 years, depending on course duration |
| Application Mode | Online only, via National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Selection Basis | Merit on Class 12 marks (no entrance exam) |
Important Dates for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
- NSP application window opens: 16 September 2026
- Last date for student application: 31 October 2026
- Last date for defective verification: 15 November 2026
- Last date for institute-level verification: 15 November 2026
The two November dates carry significant importance. Submitting your form on 31 October does not complete the process. Subsequently, your college must log in and verify it. If your institute misses the 15 November deadline, your application will fail. Therefore, you should apply by the second week of October and directly follow up with your college scholarship nodal officer.
Scholarship Amount: How Much Do Students Get?
The UGC scheme guidelines allocate the monthly rate based on the course type:
- General degree courses (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA-general, etc.): ₹5,400 per month
- Technical, professional, medical, and paramedical courses (B.Tech, B.E., MBBS, BDS, B.Pharm, Nursing, etc.): ₹7,800 per month
Your college decides your course category during the application process. Check that your institute classifies your course correctly on the NSP. For instance, a B.Tech student incorrectly tagged as a “general degree” will lose ₹2,400 every month.
Eligibility Criteria for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
1. Domicile Details
You must hold a valid domicile or permanent residence certificate from one of the eight states in the North Eastern Region:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Tripura
- The largest North Eastern state
Some websites show a seven-state list that excludes Nagaland. However, that information is incorrect, as Nagaland students fully qualify.
2. Class 12 Qualifications
You must pass Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a school located within the NER. A recognised state board or central boards like CBSE, CISCE, or NIOS located in the region all count. Moreover, you must pass the exam in the year preceding your study year. For the 2026–27 session, you specifically need a 2026 Class 12 pass.
If you currently study in your second or third year, or if you took a gap year, you cannot apply as a fresh candidate. Additionally, if you hold an NE domicile but finished Class 12 in Delhi, Kota, or Bengaluru, you remain ineligible.
3. Admission to a Regular UG Degree
You must already have secured admission in a Regular or Full-Time mode to the first year of a recognised undergraduate degree programme. The college can sit anywhere in India; you do not need to study inside the North East. For integrated and dual degree programmes, the scholarship applies only to the undergraduate component.
4. Family Income Limit
The combined annual income of your parents from all sources must not exceed ₹4.50 lakh. You will require a valid income certificate issued by the competent authority, such as the Circle Officer or Sub-Divisional Officer in your respective state.
5. Recognised Institution Status
Your university, college, or institute must hold a valid AISHE code on the NSP and fall under one of these categories:
- Universities, institutions, and colleges covered under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act
- Deemed-to-be Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, eligible for UGC grants-in-aid
- Institutions funded by the Central or State Government
- Institutes of National Importance
- Institutions recognised by other statutory councils
First, ask your college office if the institute is registered and active on NSP for this session. Otherwise, your application will not pass the verification stage.
Who Cannot Apply for the Scholarship?
The scheme explicitly excludes certain groups:
- Students pursuing courses through Open Universities (like IGNOU or distance-mode programmes)
- Candidates already receiving another scholarship for the same undergraduate programme
- Students who gained admission through management quota
- Learners in diploma or certificate courses that do not lead to a degree
- Applicants whose parents earn more than ₹4.50 lakh per annum
The management-quota rule affects many private engineering and nursing college students across the North Eastern Region. Read your admission letter carefully before submitting your application.
State-Wise Slot Distribution
The UGC distributes the 10,000 slots to each NER state based on its population from the latest census. If a state lacks enough eligible candidates to fill its quota, the UGC distributes the vacant slots evenly among the other North Eastern states. Highly populated states receive the largest share of slots. However, you compete against applicants from your own state based on Class 12 marks, since no separate entrance examination exists.
Required Documents for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
Keep clear, legible scans ready before starting your application. The NSP strictly rejects blurred or oversized documents.
- Domicile or Permanent Residence Certificate issued by the competent authority
- Income Certificate from the competent authority
- Class 12 marksheet (2026)
- Class 12 pass certificate
- Class 10 marksheet (used as date-of-birth proof)
- Birth certificate
- Aadhaar card (front and back)
- Bank passbook (the account must feature Aadhaar seeding and match the student’s name)
- Admission letter or bonafide certificate from the current college
- Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature
- Disability certificate, if claiming PwD reservation
How to Apply Online for the Scholarship
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR): Go to scholarships.gov.in and complete your OTR using your Aadhaar number. Save your unique OTR ID.
- Select the Scheme: Log in with your OTR ID and select the “Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region” under the fresh application flow.
- Enter Academic Details: Fill in your Class 12 marks and select your current institute via its AISHE code.
- Provide Bank and Income Info: Enter your bank account number exactly. Make sure the income figure matches the uploaded certificate to avoid immediate rejection.
- Upload Documents: Upload all requested files in the correct size and format.
- Submit the Application: Review everything, then click final submit. Download the PDF and save your application ID.
- Complete Verification: Take the printed form to your college nodal officer and ask them to verify it online before 15 November 2026.
Renewal Rules
The Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 continues for the full duration of your first degree course, but strictly under these conditions:
- You must maintain good conduct and adequate attendance.
- Your college must submit an annual progress report.
- You forfeit the award if you fail to get promoted to the next class.
- Changing your course of study will result in immediate cancellation from the date of the change.
Common Reasons for Application Rejection
- Leaving the application in draft mode without clicking final submit.
- Failing to complete institute verification before the deadline.
- Applying from a college without a valid AISHE code.
- Uploading an income certificate that shows a different amount than typed in the form.
- Using a joint bank account or an account without active Aadhaar seeding.
- Applying with a Class 12 passing year older than the preceding year.
- Having name spelling mismatches across Aadhaar, marksheets, and bank records.
- Submitting unreadable, dark photos instead of clear document scans.
Important Links – Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
| Follow Instagram | Click Here |
| WhatsApp Group | Click Here |
| Resume/CV Builder | Click Here |
| Offcial Website | Click Here |
| Scholarship Guidelines | Click Here |
| Apply Scholarship | Click Here |
| Telegram Channel | Click Here |
| Facebook Group | Click Here |
| Jobs Link | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible for the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
First-year undergraduate students with a domicile from the North Eastern Region, who passed Class 12 in 2026 from an NER school, and have a family income below ₹4.50 lakh per annum can apply.
2. Can students studying outside the North East apply?
Yes. As long as you completed your Class 12 inside the North East and hold a valid NER domicile, you can pursue your degree at any recognised institution across India.
3. What is the deadline to apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
Students must submit their online applications on the National Scholarship Portal by 31 October 2026.
4. How does the government disburse the scholarship money?
The authorities transfer the scholarship amount directly into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
5. Is there an entrance exam for this scheme?
No. The UGC selects candidates based entirely on merit, relying on the marks obtained in the Class 12 board examinations.
