Are you a student from Northeast India looking for financial support to continue your studies? Great news — the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 is here to help you. This scholarship, run by the University Grants Commission (UGC), gives you financial support of up to ₹80,000 every year so that money never becomes a barrier to your education.
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know — what this scholarship is, how much money you get, who can apply, and how to fill the form step by step.
What Is the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a special financial aid programme started by the University Grants Commission (UGC) — the government body that manages higher education in India. This scheme was launched in the academic year 2014–15 and has been helping students from the Northeast ever since.
Every year, 10,000 fresh scholarships are given to eligible students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. The goal is simple — to make sure that no student from the Northeast has to drop out of college just because they cannot afford it.
Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 – Quick Overview Table
| Scholarship Name | Ishan Uday Scholarship |
| Academic Year | 2026–2027 |
| Run By | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Total Scholarships | 10,000 per year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
| Eligible States | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura |
| Max Family Income | ₹4.5 lakh per year |
| Helpline Number | 0120-6619540 (8 AM – 8 PM, all days except holidays) |
| Email Support | helpdesk@nsp.gov.in |
How Much Money Will You Get?
This is the most important question for every student. Here is a clear breakdown of the monthly scholarship amount:
| Course Type | Monthly Amount | Yearly Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General Degree Courses (BA, BSc, BCom, etc.) | ₹5,400 | ₹64,800 |
| Technical, Medical, or Paramedical Courses | ₹7,800 | ₹93,600 |
This money can be used for hostel fees, textbooks, travel, and daily expenses. Students in medical and technical courses get a higher amount because those courses cost more.
Why Was This Scholarship Started?
The Indian government noticed that students from the Northeast face many challenges when it comes to higher education. The Ishan Uday Scholarship was started with the following goals:
- To give every NER student an equal chance to study in college
- To increase the number of students going to universities from the Northeast (called the Gross Enrollment Ratio)
- To encourage more students to join professional, technical, and medical courses
- To make the best use of government funds set aside for NER development
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
Before you start filling the form, please check if you meet all the conditions below.
1. Type of College or University
You must be studying in one of these types of institutions:
- Universities or colleges listed under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, with valid NAAC accreditation
- Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, with valid NAAC accreditation
- Institutes of National Importance
- Institutions recognized by other statutory councils (inside or outside India)
2. Year of Study
Only first-year undergraduate (UG) students are eligible. If you are already in second or third year, you cannot apply. Also, if you have already completed a degree before, you are not eligible.
3. Course Type and Mode
The scholarship is only for regular or full-time courses. Students studying through distance education, open universities, correspondence, or part-time mode are NOT eligible.
For integrated or dual degree programmes (like a 5-year course), the scholarship will only be paid for the undergraduate part.
4. Family Income
Your family’s annual income must be less than ₹4.5 lakh per year. If your family earns more than this, you will not qualify.
5. Domicile
You must have a valid Domicile Certificate from any state in the North Eastern Region (NER). This is mandatory.
Eligibility at a Glance
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Year of Study | First year UG only |
| Course Mode | Regular / Full-time only |
| Family Income | Below ₹4.5 lakh per year |
| Domicile | NER state (valid certificate needed) |
| Previous Degree | Not allowed |
| Other Government Scholarship | Not allowed (cannot hold two at once) |
Who CANNOT Apply?
The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship:
- Students in open universities or distance education programmes
- Students already receiving another government scholarship for their UG course
- Students admitted through management quota
- Students doing diploma courses that do not lead to a full degree
- Students whose family income is above ₹4.5 lakh per year
How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide
The entire application is done online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Go to the official NSP website — scholarships.gov.in
Step 2: Scroll down and find the section called ‘Important Web Links’
Step 3: Click on ‘One-Time Registration (OTR)’
Step 4: A new page will open. Enter your details and complete registration using your Aadhaar card or Aadhaar Enrolment ID
Step 5: After registration, log in to your account and click on ‘Online Application Form’
Step 6: Fill in all your details carefully and upload the required documents
Step 7: Click ‘Submit’ and take a printout of your application for future use
What Is OTR (One-Time Registration)?
OTR stands for One-Time Registration. When you register on the NSP portal for the first time, you get a unique 14-digit number linked to your Aadhaar card. You only need to register once — this number stays valid throughout your entire academic career, so you do not need to register again every year.
Important Dates for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
| Start Date of Online Application | To be announced |
| Last Date of Online Application | To be announced |
| Last Date for Defective Verification | To be announced |
| Last Date for Institute-Level Verification | To be announced |
Keep checking the official NSP website at scholarships.gov.in for updates on dates.
How Are Students Selected?
Here is how the final selection works:
- A total of 10,000 scholarships are given every year across all NER states
- The number of slots each state gets is decided based on the last population census — states with more people get more slots
- If one state has empty slots due to a shortage of eligible applicants, those slots are distributed equally among the other NER states
- Students with Persons with Disabilities (PwD) status get reservation as per Government of India rules
Documents You May Need
While the official list may vary, here are the common documents needed:
| Document |
|---|
| Aadhaar Card |
| Domicile Certificate |
| Income Certificate |
| Admission/Enrollment Certificate |
| Bank Account Details |
| Mark Sheet (Class 12) |
| Passport Size Photo |
Useful Web-Links of Ishan Uday Scholarship
| Online Application | Register | Login |
| Official Notification | Guideline | FAQ |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
The Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 is a government scholarship offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to support students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India who wish to pursue higher education but need financial help. Every year, 10,000 scholarships are given to eligible students from NER states.
Who is eligible to apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship?
Students who are in the first year of a regular undergraduate (UG) degree programme, belong to any NER state, have a family income below ₹4.5 lakh per year, and have a valid domicile certificate from a NER state are eligible to apply. The scholarship is only for students in full-time, regular courses.
How much money will I get under this scholarship?
If you are studying a general degree course (like BA, BSc, or BCom), you will get ₹5,400 per month. If you are in a technical, medical, or paramedical course, you will get ₹7,800 per month. This works out to approximately ₹64,800 to ₹93,600 per year.
Which states are covered under the Ishan Uday Scholarship?
The scholarship covers all eight states of the North Eastern Region: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. You must have a valid domicile certificate from any of these states to be eligible.
Can I apply if I am studying through distance education or open university?
No. The Ishan Uday Scholarship is only for students who are studying in regular, full-time mode. Students in distance education, open universities, correspondence courses, or part-time programmes are not eligible.
Can I receive this scholarship along with another government scholarship?
No. If you are already receiving any other government scholarship for your undergraduate studies, you cannot apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship. Students can only hold one government scholarship at a time.
How do I apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
You can apply online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. First, complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) using your Aadhaar card. Then log in, fill out the application form, upload your documents, and submit. Always take a printout of your submitted application.
What is OTR and do I need to do it every year?
OTR stands for One-Time Registration. It is a one-time process on the NSP portal where you get a unique 14-digit number linked to your Aadhaar. You only need to do this once — it stays valid for your entire academic career, so you do not need to re-register each year.
What is the income limit for this scholarship?
Your family’s annual income (income of parents or guardian) must not be more than ₹4.5 lakh per year. If the income exceeds this limit, you will not be eligible for the scholarship.
What happens if my state does not fill all its scholarship slots?
If any NER state has empty (vacant) scholarship slots because there are not enough eligible applicants, those unused slots are shared equally among the other NER states so that the full 10,000 scholarships are still used each year.
Is there any reservation for students with disabilities?
Yes. Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is provided as per the norms set by the Government of India. PwD students are encouraged to apply and will be given the benefit of reservation during the selection process.
What should I do if I face a problem during the application process?
You can contact the NSP helpline at 0120-6619540 (available 8 AM to 8 PM on all days except public holidays). You can also email your query to helpdesk@nsp.gov.in for online support.
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