For students from India‘s Northeast Region (NER) who have successfully completed their 12th standard, a remarkable opportunity awaits. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has opened applications for the prestigious Ishan Uday Scholarship, offering eligible students a chance to receive ₹8,000 per month to support their undergraduate studies. This initiative aims to promote higher education and provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students from the eight northeastern states.

The application window for the UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship 2025 is currently open, with a crucial deadline of October 31, 2025. Aspiring candidates are advised to complete their applications promptly through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarship.gov.in. This scholarship represents a significant financial aid package, designed to ease the burden of educational expenses for students pursuing higher studies in undergraduate courses.

Understanding the UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship

The Ishan Uday Scholarship is a special scheme launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) specifically for students belonging to the North Eastern Region of India. Its primary objective is to encourage general degree courses, technical, and professional education in the region and to provide financial assistance to students with limited financial means, enabling them to pursue higher education without hindrance.

The scholarship amount of ₹8,000 per month can be a game-changer for many families, covering a substantial portion of tuition fees, living expenses, books, and other educational necessities. This monthly financial support is provided directly by the UGC, ensuring a consistent flow of funds throughout the duration of the undergraduate course.

Eligibility Criteria for UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship 2025

To be considered for the UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship, applicants must meet a specific set of eligibility requirements. These criteria ensure that the scholarship reaches the intended beneficiaries from the North Eastern states:

1. Domicile Requirement: The scholarship is exclusively open to students who are permanent residents of the North Eastern states, which include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. A valid domicile certificate from any of these states is a mandatory requirement.
2. Educational Qualification: Applicants must have successfully passed Class 12 from a recognized school located in the North East. This includes schools affiliated with boards such as CBSE, CISCE, and NIOS.
3. Enrollment in Undergraduate Course: Candidates must be pursuing a regular, full-time undergraduate degree course from a recognized college, university, or institution located within India.
4. First-Year Enrollment: Only students who have taken admission into the first year of a UG degree course in any university/college/institution within India are eligible to apply. Students who have already obtained a degree are not eligible.
5. Course Duration: The scholarship will be provided only for the duration of the undergraduate degree course. For integrated and dual-degree courses, the scholarship will only be granted for the duration of the undergraduate compartment. This means that if a course is a 5-year integrated course with 3 years of UG and 2 years of PG, the scholarship will only apply to the initial 3 undergraduate years.
6. Mode of Study: The scholarship is strictly for students pursuing regular, full-time courses. Students enrolled in Open, Distance Learning, Correspondence, Private, or Part-time courses are not eligible to apply.
7. Admission Quota: Students who have secured admission through the Management Quota are also explicitly excluded from eligibility for this scholarship.
8. Parental Income Ceiling: The annual income of the applicant’s parents (or guardians) from all sources must be less than ₹4.50 lakh per annum. This ensures that the scholarship targets students from economically weaker sections.

How to Apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship 2025

The application process for the UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship is entirely online, facilitated through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Here’s a general guide on how to apply:

1. Visit the NSP: Candidates must navigate to the official National Scholarship Portal website: scholarship.gov.in.
2. Registration: New users will need to register on the portal by providing essential details such as their Aadhar number, bank account details, and mobile number.
3. Login: After successful registration, log in to the NSP using the generated credentials.
4. Scheme Selection: Search for the “UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship for North Eastern Region” scheme and select it.
5. Fill Application Form: Carefully fill out the online application form with all the required personal, academic, and income details. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid rejection.
6. Upload Documents: Upload all necessary supporting documents, which typically include:
   • Domicile Certificate of a North Eastern State
   • Class 12 Marksheet and Pass Certificate
   • Admission Proof for the first year of the UG course
   • Income Certificate of parents/guardians
   • Aadhar Card
   • Bank Passbook (for direct fund transfer)
   • Passport-sized photograph
7. Review and Submit: Before final submission, review all the entered information and uploaded documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Once satisfied, submit the application.
8. Keep Application ID: Note down the system-generated application ID for future reference and tracking the application status.

Renewal Process and Maintaining Eligibility

The UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship is not a one-time grant; it is renewable annually. The renewal of the scholarship is subject to specific conditions to ensure that the student maintains academic progress and good conduct:

• Good Conduct and Attendance: Scholars are expected to maintain good conduct throughout their academic year and meet the prescribed attendance requirements of their institution.
• Successful Completion of Previous Year: The scholarship will be renewed for the subsequent academic year only upon the successful completion of the previous year of study. This means students must pass their exams and promote to the next year.

Failure to meet these renewal conditions may result in the discontinuation of the scholarship. Therefore, beneficiaries must remain diligent in their studies and adhere to institutional norms.

Why This Scholarship Matters for the North East

The UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship holds immense significance for the North Eastern Region of India for several reasons:

• Addressing Economic Disparities: The NER often faces unique geographical and economic challenges. This scholarship directly addresses financial barriers to higher education, allowing more students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic dreams.
• Promoting Educational Attainment: By providing financial incentives, the scholarship encourages a higher enrollment rate in undergraduate courses, contributing to increased literacy and skill development in the region.
• Talent Nurturing: It helps nurture talented individuals from the North East who might otherwise be unable to afford higher education, ensuring that their potential is not lost due to economic constraints.
• Inclusive Growth: The scheme aligns with the government’s broader agenda of inclusive growth, ensuring that all regions, especially those with specific developmental needs, receive adequate support for human resource development.
• Reduced Brain Drain: By enabling students to pursue quality education, it may also help reduce the need for students to migrate to other regions solely for educational opportunities, contributing to local development.

For more detailed information and any updates regarding the UGC Ishan Uday Scholarship, candidates are strongly advised to visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and refer to the latest notification link provided by UGC. This scholarship is indeed a golden chance for eligible students from the North East to secure their academic future.