Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme

Summary of the Scheme
Name of Scheme	Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme
Benefits	One-time ₹50,000 cash award
Beneficiary	Uttarakhand residents selected in defence academies
Nodal Agency	Directorate of Higher Education, Uttarakhand
Subscription	Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme
Mode of Apply	Online through the Samarth Scholarship Portal

Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme: ₹50,000 for Officer Selections

Clearing the NDA, IMA or another officer-entry exam is a big achievement. The Uttarakhand government recognises it with a one-time cash award of ₹50,000 for young people from the state who are selected as future officers of the Indian Armed Forces.

What is the scheme?

The Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme is a state incentive for permanent residents of Uttarakhand who are selected in the country’s premier defence academies. It is implemented by the Higher Education Department through the Directorate of Higher Education, Haldwani (Nainital).

The scheme began in 2011-12 and initially covered only the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA). Candidates at the Officers Training Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy were left out, so the state later extended the same award to them for parity.

The aim is to encourage Uttarakhand’s youth to pursue careers as commissioned officers and to recognise those who clear a demanding selection process. The award does not depend on family income or category, and it is the same amount for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Scheme at a glance

Academies covered

• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Indian Military Academy (IMA)
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya and Chennai
• Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad
• Indian Naval Academy, Visakhapatnam

Eligibility

To claim the award, a candidate must:

1. Be a permanent resident (native) of Uttarakhand.
2. Be selected in NDA, IMA, OTA, the Indian Naval Academy or the Indian Air Force Academy.
3. For NDA and IMA, have been selected after 9 November 2011.
4. For OTA, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, have been selected after the Government Order dated 4 September 2019.
5. Be undergoing or have joined training at the academy, with proof from the institution.
6. Not have received this benefit before.

Documents to keep ready

• Aadhaar card
• PAN card
• Bank account details (passbook or cancelled cheque)
• Permanent Residence Certificate of Uttarakhand
• Appointment/selection letter
• Training certificate or proof of training from the academy
• Proof of joining after training, if applicable
• Self-declaration that you have not availed this benefit earlier

How to apply

1. Visit the official Scholarship Application Portal (Samarth Scholarship Portal).
2. Click Register at the top right of the home page.
3. Enter your email, mobile number, parents’ names, gender, date of birth and category, then create a password and submit.
4. Log in with your credentials.
5. Select the Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme from the list of schemes.
6. Fill in your personal, residence, academy and selection details, and your bank account information.
7. Upload scans of all the documents listed above.
8. Review everything and submit.
9. Save a copy or screenshot of the submitted application.

How and when you get paid

The Directorate reviews applications and sends its recommendation, with the payable amount, to the state government every six months. Funds are then released directly to the candidate’s bank account, which is why bank details are part of the application.

An important condition

If a candidate fails to complete the course or fails during training, the award money must be returned. Apply with this in mind.

Deadline

Applications for the July–December 2026 session are open and close on 31 December 2026. Don’t wait for the last week, since portal delays and missing documents can cost you the window.

Other schemes from the same department

The Higher Education Department also runs:

• Uttarakhand UPSC/UKPSC Pre-Qualified Students Coaching Scheme, for students who clear the preliminary exam and are preparing for the mains.
• Uttarakhand CM Meritorious Scholarship Scheme, a one-time incentive for students admitted to undergraduate courses at top 50 NIRF-ranked institutions.

Need help?

Contact the Higher Education Department, Uttarakhand helpdesk at highereducation.director@gmail.com.

Frequently asked questions

Who can get the award?
Permanent residents of Uttarakhand selected in NDA, IMA, OTA, the Indian Naval Academy or the Indian Air Force Academy who have not received this benefit before.

Is there an income or category requirement?
No. The award is given purely for selection.

Can OTA, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy candidates selected before 2019 apply?
Only selections after the Government Order of 4 September 2019 qualify. For NDA and IMA, the cutoff is selection after 9 November 2011.

Is the application online?
Yes, entirely online through the Samarth Scholarship Portal.

Can I receive the award more than once?
No. You must submit a self-declaration that you have not availed it earlier.

Do I ever have to return the money?
Yes, if you fail to complete the course or fail during training.