Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026-27 Open on NSP: Rs. 8,000 per Month for NER Students, Apply by 31 October 2026
UGC's Ishan Uday Special Scholarship for North Eastern Region students is open on NSP from 16 September to 31 October 2026. First-year UG students with family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh can get Rs. 8,000 per month for 10 months.
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Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026-27: Applications Open on NSP
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has opened fresh applications for the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region (NER) for 2026-27 on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). As per the NSP scheme list, the scheme opened on 16 September 2026 and students can apply till 31 October 2026.
Under this scheme, students from the North Eastern states who are in the first year of an undergraduate degree get Rs. 8,000 per month for 10 months a year, that is Rs. 80,000 per year. A total of 10,000 scholarships are given every year. This article explains the eligibility, important dates, documents and how to apply.
Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for NER (Merit Based Scheme) |
| Implemented by | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Academic year | 2026-27 (fresh applications) |
| Number of scholarships | 10,000 per year |
| Amount | Rs. 8,000 per month for 10 months (Rs. 80,000 per year) |
| Who can apply | First-year UG students from NER with parental income below Rs. 4.50 lakh per year |
| Application window | 16 September 2026 to 31 October 2026 |
| Payment mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Apply at | scholarships.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UGC notice on NSPG and Ishan Uday schemes through NSP | 31 July 2026 |
| Scheme open from | 16 September 2026 |
| Last date for student application | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application verification open till | 15 November 2026 |
| Institute verification open till | 15 November 2026 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO verification open till | 30 November 2026 |
Scholarship Amount and Duration
- Scholarship of Rs. 8,000 per month for 10 months in a year (UGC lists this as Rs. 80,000 per annum).
- It is given for the full duration of the first undergraduate degree as specified by UGC for that programme. The UGC scheme page gives the tenure as 3 to 5 years.
- Money is paid through Direct Benefit Transfer. Aadhaar is used as the identifier and the bank account must be Aadhaar linked/verified.
Eligibility Criteria
- Domicile: The student must have a valid Domicile Certificate of any State of the North Eastern Region.
- Schooling: The student must have passed Class XII or equivalent from a school situated within the NER.
- Course: Admission in the first year of a recognised UG degree programme in regular, full-time mode. A student is considered for selection only in the academic year in which they get admission to the UG programme.
- Family income: Income of parents should be below Rs. 4.50 lakh per annum.
- Institution: UGC-recognised universities/colleges, deemed universities, government-funded institutions or Institutions of National Importance with a valid AISHE code. As per the guidelines, a valid NAAC accreditation requirement is implemented with effect from AY 2025-26.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Students who already hold any degree.
- Students in open, distance, correspondence, private or part-time mode.
- Students admitted under Management Quota.
- Students already getting another scholarship at the same time.
- In integrated or dual degree courses, only the UG component is covered.
Selection Process and Slot Distribution
- Selection is on the basis of State-wise merit.
- If two students have the same merit, Class X marks are used to break the tie, and then age (older candidate gets preference).
- 50% of slots in each category are for Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Management, and the other 50% are for Science, Engineering & Technology, Medical, Technical, Agriculture and Forestry programmes.
- The guidelines do not prescribe any minimum percentage of marks.
Documents Required
- Domicile Certificate / Permanent Resident Certificate of an NER State issued by the competent authority
- Income Certificate of parents issued by the competent authority
- Aadhaar number
- Aadhaar-linked/verified bank account details
How to Apply for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026-27 (Step by Step)
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Register on the portal if you are a new user, and log in.
- From the list of Central schemes, select "Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme For NER" under the University Grants Commission.
- Fill in personal, academic, income, domicile and bank details carefully.
- Upload the required documents and check all entries.
- Submit the application on or before 31 October 2026 and keep a copy.
- Ask your college/university to verify your application before 15 November 2026.
Renewal Rules
- Selected students must apply for renewal every year on the NSP.
- Renewal depends on good conduct and maintaining the prescribed attendance.
- A student who is not promoted to the next year loses the scholarship.
- Changing the course or institution also leads to forfeiture.
Important Official Links
| Link | Purpose |
|---|---|
| scholarships.gov.in | Apply online (NSP) |
| NSP – All Scholarships | Scheme list with 2026-27 dates |
| Ishan Uday guidelines (PDF) | Eligibility, amount and rules |
| UGC – Ishan Uday scheme page | Scheme summary |
| UGC notice (PDF) | NSPG and Ishan Uday through NSP |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for Ishan Uday Scholarship 2026-27?
As per the NSP scheme list, the last date for student applications is 31 October 2026.
2. How much money is given under Ishan Uday?
Rs. 8,000 per month for 10 months in a year, i.e. Rs. 80,000 per year.
3. What is the income limit?
Parents' income should be below Rs. 4.50 lakh per annum.
4. Can second-year students apply as fresh candidates?
No. A student is eligible for selection only in the academic year of admission to the first year of the UG programme. Existing scholars must apply for renewal.
5. How many Ishan Uday scholarships are given?
10,000 scholarships every year, selected on State-wise merit.
6. Can distance learning students apply?
No. Only regular, full-time UG students are eligible.
Conclusion
The Ishan Uday Scholarship gives Rs. 80,000 a year to 10,000 first-year UG students from the North Eastern Region whose family income is below Rs. 4.50 lakh. The application window on NSP is open from 16 September to 31 October 2026. Eligible students should apply early and make sure their institute verifies the form before 15 November 2026.
References
- https://scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships – National Scholarship Portal, "All Scholarships" list: Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme For NER (Fresh), dates 16-09-2026 to 31-10-2026, accessed 7 October 2026
- https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/Guidelines_ISHAN%20UDAY_2324.pdf – Guidelines for Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region, UGC
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/Scholarships/stu_Scholarship5 – UGC, "Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region" page, accessed 7 October 2026
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/2781359_NSP-Schemes.pdf – UGC notice "National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) and ISHAN UDAY Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)", 31 July 2026