Are you a student from Northeast India who wants to pursue higher education but is worried about the cost? If yes, the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 could be the golden opportunity you have been waiting for. This scholarship is offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is specially designed to help students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India.
What Is the Ishan Uday Scholarship?
The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a special scheme launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which is a government body that looks after higher education in India. The main goal of this scholarship is to encourage students from economically weaker families in the North Eastern Region to pursue higher education.
Every year, a total of 10,000 fresh scholarships are given to eligible students from the NER states. These scholarships cover students pursuing general degree courses as well as technical, professional, medical, and paramedical courses.
The scheme was started in the academic year 2014-15 and continues to support thousands of students every year.
Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 – Key Details at a Glance
Scholarship Name: Ishan Uday Scholarship
Academic Session: 2026–2027
Implementing Body: University Grants Commission (UGC)
Total Scholarships Awarded: 10,000 per year
Application Mode: Online (National Scholarship Portal)
Application Website: https://scholarships.gov.in
Eligible States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura
Helpline Number: 0120-6619540 (8 AM to 8 PM, all days except holidays)
Email Support: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
How Much Money Will You Get?
One of the most important things students want to know is how much financial support they will receive. Here is a clear breakdown:
- For General Degree Courses: ₹5,400 per month
- For Technical, Medical, or Paramedical Courses: ₹7,800 per month
This monthly financial support can make a big difference in covering your hostel fees, books, travel, and day-to-day expenses. Students in professional courses get a higher amount because the cost of such courses is generally higher.
Why Was This Scholarship Started? (Objectives)
The Indian government wants every student from the Northeast to have equal access to quality education. The key goals of the Ishan Uday Scholarship are:
- To provide equal opportunities for higher studies in the North Eastern Region.
- To increase the number of students going to college (Gross Enrollment Ratio) in NER.
- To promote professional and technical education in NER.
- To make the best use of the government budget set aside for NER development.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, you must check whether you meet all the eligibility conditions. Here is a simple breakdown:
1. Type of Institute
You must be studying at one of the following types of institutions:
- Universities or colleges listed under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, and having a 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 students who have taken admission in the FIRST YEAR of a UG (undergraduate) degree programme are eligible. If you are already in the second or third year, you cannot apply. Also, students who have already completed a degree before are not eligible.
3. Type and Mode of Course
The scholarship is available for students who are studying through regular or full-time mode only. If you are studying through open universities, distance learning, correspondence, or part-time mode, you are NOT eligible.
In case of integrated or dual degree programmes (like a 5-year integrated course), the scholarship will only be paid for the undergraduate part of the course.
4. Family Income
The annual income of your parents or guardians must NOT exceed ₹4.5 lakh per year. If your family income is higher than this limit, you will not be eligible for this scholarship.
5. Domicile Certificate
You must have a valid Domicile Certificate from any state in the North Eastern Region (NER). This is mandatory proof that you belong to the NER.
Who CANNOT Apply? – Exclusions
The following students are NOT eligible for the Ishan Uday Scholarship:
- Students studying in open universities or through distance education.
- Students who are already getting a scholarship from any other government scheme for their UG course.
- Students who got their admission through a management quota.
- Students pursuing diploma courses that do not lead to a full degree.
- Students whose family income is more than ₹4.5 lakh per year.
How to Apply for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
The application process is completely online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Follow these simple steps to apply:
- Step 1: Visit the official website — https://scholarships.gov.in Or
- Step 2: Scroll down and find the ‘Important Web Links’ section.
- Step 3: Click on the ‘One-Time Registration (OTR)’ link.
- Step 4: A new page will open. Enter your details and register 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 the required details carefully and upload the necessary documents.
- Step 7: Click on ‘Submit’ and take a printout of your submitted application for future reference.
What is OTR (One-Time Registration)?
OTR stands for One-Time Registration. It gives you a unique 14-digit number based on your Aadhaar card. You only need to register once on the NSP portal — this OTR number will be valid for your entire academic career. You do not need to register again every year.
Important Dates for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026
As of now, the official dates for the 2026–27 academic session have not been announced. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Start Date of Online Application: To be updated
- Last Date of Online Application: To be updated
- Last Date for Defective Verification: To be updated
- Last Date for Institute-Level Verification: To be updated
We recommend you regularly check the official NSP website (https://scholarships.gov.in) and bookmark this page for updates.
Useful Web-Links of Ishan Uday Scholarship
| Online Application | Register | Login |
| Official Notification | Guideline | FAQ |
| Official Website | Click Here |
How Are Students Selected?
The selection of scholars under the Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme is done based on the following criteria:
- Total of 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year across all NER states.
- The slots are distributed among the NER states based on the last population census. States with more population get more slots.
- If any state has vacant slots due to a lack of eligible candidates, those slots are shared equally among the other NER states.
- Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is provided as per Government of India norms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Ishan Uday Scholarship?
The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a UGC scholarship scheme for students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India who belong to economically weaker families and are pursuing undergraduate degree programmes.
Q2. Who is eligible for the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026?
Students from NER states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura) who have taken admission in the first year of a UG degree course in a recognised institute and whose family income is below ₹4.5 lakh per year are eligible.
Q3. How much scholarship money will I receive?
Students in general degree courses will receive ₹5,400 per month. Students in technical, medical, or paramedical courses will receive ₹7,800 per month.
Q4. Can I apply if I am studying through distance learning?
No. The scholarship is only for students who are studying in regular or full-time mode. Students in open universities, distance education, or correspondence courses are not eligible.
Q5. Is there a reservation for PwD candidates?
Yes. Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) is available as per Government of India norms.
Q6. What is OTR and how do I register?
OTR stands for One-Time Registration. You register once on the National Scholarship Portal using your Aadhaar card, and you receive a unique 14-digit number. This number is used to apply for scholarships throughout your academic career — no need to register again every year.
Q7. Can I apply for Ishan Uday if I am already getting another scholarship?
No. If you are already receiving a scholarship for your UG programme under any other government scheme, you are not eligible for the Ishan Uday Scholarship.
Q8. Where do I apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship?
You must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal at https://scholarships.gov.in. No offline applications are accepted.
Q9. What documents do I need to apply?
You will generally need your Aadhaar card, domicile certificate, income certificate of parents, admission proof (for first-year UG), and bank account details. Specific document requirements will be mentioned on the application portal.
Q10. When will the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026 application form be available?
The dates have not been announced yet for the 2026–27 session. Keep checking the official NSP website and this page for updates.