The Ministry of Human Resources Development and the University Grants Commission has taken a keen interest in promoting higher education in the NER. The UGC has decided to start the “Ishan Uday” Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Area from the academic session 2014-15 to improve the GER, promote higher education, and encourage youngsters from economically deprived sections of the NE region.

Aim of this Scheme

To ensure that all students in the Northeast Region have equal access to higher education.
Increase the NE Region’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).
To increase the emphasis on professional education in the NE Region.
To ensure NER Budgetary Allocation is used to its full potential.
Every year it aims to provide around 10,000 scholarships for general degree courses, technical and professional courses, including medical and para-medical courses.

Amount of Scholarship

An amount of Rs.5400/- p.m. for General Degree courses and Rs. 7800/- p.m. for Technical & Professional courses (including Medical & Para medical courses) will be given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary student.

Eligibility Criteria

Students with NER domicile who have passed Class XII or equivalent exam from a school located within NER through any recognised Board of Education, including Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) within NER only, and have secured admission to the general degree, technical, and professional courses, including medical and paramedical courses (Integrated courses included), Universities/Colleges/Institutions recognised as under:
1. Universities/Institutions/Colleges covered by the UGC Act’s Sections 2(f) and 12(B).
2. Universities that are deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, and are eligible to
receive UGC grants-in-aid.
3. Universities/Institutions/Colleges that are supported by the Central or state governments.
4. Institutes of National Importance
5. Institutions that have been recognised by various Statutory Councils within as well as outside.
6. The grant is only available to first-year undergraduate students.
For integrated degree programmes, the scholarship will be valid for the whole course term. The scholarship will only be valid for the first degree in dual degree programmes. When suggesting an applicant for a scholarship, the university should clarify this to the student.
To be eligible for a scholarship under this scheme, the student’s parents’ annual income must not exceed Rs.4.5 lakh.
Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. Reservations will be made in accordance with Government of India guidelines.

Criteria for Exclusion

Students enrolled in Open University courses or programmes.
Students who have already received a scholarship for an undergraduate study through another scheme (s).
Students who are admitted based on a “management quota.”
Students studying courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, such as Diploma Courses.
Students whose parents’ annual household income surpasses Rs.4.5 lakh.

How to apply for this scholarship?

Step 1: First visit the official website of National Scholarship Portal(NSP) i.e. https://scholarships.gov.in/
Step 2: On the Dashboard Click on New Registration Tab.
Step 3: Carefully read the instructions and then select the checkbox of declaration confirming that you are accepting it and then click on the continue button.
Step 4: If registered previously, login using the credentials and if not registered click on the link stating ‘New User’
Step 5: Enter the required details
Step 6: A password will be sent to the registered mobile phone, and the application number will appear on the screen.
Step 7: Fill out the application form for the Ishan Uday scholarship scheme using your application id and password.
Step 8: Candidates must create a new password after inputting the auto-generated application ID and password.
Step 9: Fill up the application form with information such as general information, academic information, and other facts.
Step 10: Select ‘Save and Continue’ to continue filling out scholarship-specific information.
Step 11: Print and save the completed application form for future reference.