The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme (IU-SSS-NER) is a major educational support programme targeting the higher education access gap experienced by students from the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India. Students in the NER are academically capable, yet they face significant challenges in completing their undergraduate education due to financial limitations, lack of access to institutions and high living expenses away from their home states.
IU-SSS-NER helps to alleviate those barriers by providing monthly financial support to qualified students who are pursuing full-time bachelor's degrees at recognised institutions in India. With that financial assistance in place, students can concentrate on developing their skills and achieving long-term career success, rather than worrying about those economic barriers.
Overview
The table below highlights all the major aspects of the Ishan Uday Scholarship scheme to help you understand its key features and benefits at a glance:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Scheme Name | Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region (IU-SSS-NER) |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education |
| Region Covered | North Eastern States (NER) – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim & Tripura |
| Applicable Academic Year | 2025–26 (Latest cycle) |
| Number of Scholarships | 10,000 annually |
| Level of Study | Full-time Undergraduate (UG) degree courses |
| Ishan Uday scholarship amount | ₹5,400/month (General degree); ₹7,800/month (Technical/Professional/Medical) |
| Duration of Scholarship | Up to course duration (renewable annually) |
| Application Mode | Online via National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Disbursement Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into an Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Annual Family Income Limit | ₹4,50,000 |
| Ishan Uday Scholarship eligibility | Institution/University verification post application submission |
Also Read: The Indian Global Leaders Scholarship Scheme To Study In Australia.
What Is IU-SSS-NER?
The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme (IU-SSS-NER) is an initiative created by the University Grants Commission (UGC) through the Government of India, Ministry of Education, to facilitate access to higher education for students from the North-Eastern Region of India, reduce the financial barriers experienced by those students, and increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of NER students in higher education. The Sarkari scheme is intended to provide equal opportunity for academically capable, economically disadvantaged students to pursue full-time undergraduate education at recognised institutions.
What Is the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme (IU-SSS-NER)?
The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region (IU-SSS-NER) is a flagship initiative of the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, designed to promote higher education among students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. It aims to reduce financial barriers, improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in the region, and provide equitable opportunities for academically meritorious and economically weaker students to pursue full-time undergraduate studies in recognised institutions.
Why Ishan Uday Scholarship Important?
Due to high education expenses and rural isolation from community access to quality education, the students from North East India have always struggled when it comes to obtaining a quality education. By providing significant financial assistance in the form of stipends, IU-SSS-NER has lowered the dropout rates and provided incentives to pursue degrees in a variety of fields of study that allow students to pursue their education worry-free financially.
Key Benefits Of The IU-SSS-NER Scholarship
Below you will read many of the important benefits available under the Ishan Uday Scholarship Program, including the Ishan Uday scholarship amount and allowing students to pursue a post-secondary education without any financial burden:
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Support for Academic Expenses: Because of the financial assistance available to Scholars, they receive a monthly stipend during their respective degree programs for ten months of the year, ₹5,400 for general degrees and ₹7,800 for technical/professional/medical/paramedic degree programs using DBT cash.
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Support for all Types of Degree Programs: The Scholarship supports Undergraduate Degree Programs in all disciplines, including: Arts/Science/Commerce/Engineering/Medicine/Agriculture/Law/Hotel Management/Nursing instruction, etc.
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Support for Full Duration of Degree Program: Provided successful criteria (validation of academic performance, etc.) are maintained each year, renewal of the Scholarship can be accomplished for the entirety of the Degree Program.
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Awarding is Based on Merit: Scholarships are awarded to scholarship applicants based on individual academic merit. Additionally, the merit ranking is assessed based on the individual's State of Residence for each scholarship applicant.
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No Application Fees: All scholarship applicants can apply for the Ishan Uday Scholarship free of charge, allowing students from all backgrounds to access a higher education opportunity.
Also Read: Mukhyamantri Medhavi Vidhyarti Yojana.
What Is The Eligibility Criteria Of The Uday Scholarship?
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet all Ishan Uday Scholarship eligibility conditions:
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Residency – Applicant is required to live in one of the eight Northeastern States of India.
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Education – Must have previously completed Class 12 or its equivalent with a recognised authority in the Northeastern Region.
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Admission – Must be accepted by an accredited university or college to pursue a full-time first-year undergraduate degree in India.
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Family Income – Your family’s total income should not exceed ₹4,50,000 (less than the Indian Government's poverty line) from other sources.
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Recognition of Institution – It must either be considered a University under the GC Act, or a Nationally Recognised Institute of Importance.
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Types of Courses – Only undergraduate degrees qualify; all diplomas, certificates, correspondence and distance-learning programs do not.
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One Scholarship Limitation – You will not receive more than one scholarship for the same education program.
How To Apply For The IU-SSS-NER Scholarship?
Applying for the Ishaan Uday scholarship involves a fully online process through the National Scholarship Portal. Below is a step-by-step guide to help applicants complete the process smoothly.
Step 1: Go to the NSP website and set up an account if this is your first time applying.
Step 2: Once you have set up your new account or have already created an account, log in using your Application/OTR ID and password.
Step 3: Find the IU-SSS-NER scholarship and select it from the UGC's list of available scholarships.
Step 4: Complete the required information about yourself, including your education, bank account details, and any requested income information.
Step 4: Upload scanned copies of documents required under the IU-SSS-NER scholarship.
Step 5: Continue to check the NSP Portal for updates on the status of your application, including any Verification Updates from your Educational Institute and/or the UGC.
List Of Documents Required For The Ishan Uday Scheme
The following list contains the names of the essential documents required for this government scheme:-
Renewal Process And Continuation
The scholarship can be renewed for future years:
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Annually apply for renewal via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Also Read: LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme.
Impact And Expansion
For many years, the Ishan Uday Scholarship has benefited thousands of NER students through the availability of financial aid that would not have been available without this support. By providing financial assistance with a wide range of eligible degree programmes, it has contributed to both improved educational outcomes and increased opportunities for social mobility in the North Eastern Region.
Conclusion
The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme (IU-SSS-NER) is a pivotal program that provides students in the North Eastern Region with the necessary resources to pursue their undergraduate education. By eliminating financial barriers and supporting academic achievement, this program improves the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) and supports the provision of inclusive education in India’s diverse society.
For specific details and the exact timeframe for applying, please check the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and look for updates from UGC.
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