The University Grants Commission (UGC) is expected to soon activate the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for applications under the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPG) and the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for the North Eastern Region.
According to a recent update by the commission, the detailed timeline for submitting applications online will be announced shortly. Once the portal is live, eligible candidates will be able to apply through the official website scholarships.gov.in.
Scholarship Details and Eligibility
The National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies has been introduced to support students in continuing higher education without financial strain. Candidates who are enrolled in the first year of a postgraduate programme in regular or full-time mode at a recognised institution can apply for this scheme. Selected students will receive financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh per year, which will be distributed in monthly instalments of Rs 10,000 over a period of two years.
The Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme, on the other hand, is aimed at students from the North Eastern Region who are pursuing undergraduate studies. To be eligible, applicants must have completed Class 12 from a recognised board within the region and must be admitted to the first year of a regular undergraduate course at a recognised institution.
Under this scheme, students are provided annual financial support ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 80,000, depending on the course they are enrolled in. The scholarship is granted for a duration of three to five years. Additionally, applicants must meet the income criteria, with their family’s annual income not exceeding Rs 4.5 lakh.
Verification Process and Institutional Role
UGC has instructed all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ensure timely verification of scholarship applications submitted on the NSP portal. Institutional Nodal Officers (INOs) are required to review each application within 15 days of submission and either approve or reject it accordingly.
The commission emphasised that timely verification will help students identify and correct any errors or discrepancies in their applications before the final submission deadline. It has also advised institutions to actively guide and support students throughout the application process to ensure smooth completion.