Introduction The Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme is a state government initiative designed to recognise Uttarakhand residents who secure selection at designated defence training academies. It offers a one-time cash award of ₹50,000 to eligible candidates, encouraging young people to pursue commissioned officer careers in the Indian Armed Forces. The scheme is administered by the Directorate of Higher Education under the Higher Education Department, Government of Uttarakhand. Introduced in the 2011–12 financial year, the scheme initially covered candidates selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA). Its coverage was subsequently extended to include the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Gaya and Chennai, the Indian Air Force Academy and the Indian Naval Academy, bringing eligible candidates across the Army, Navy and Air Force within its scope. The award is provided as a selection-based incentive rather than a recurring scholarship or pension. According to the supplied scheme information, eligibility does not depend on family income or social category. Candidates must meet the state residency and academy-selection requirements, provide proof of training and satisfy the condition that they have not received this award previously. Applications are processed through the Samarth Scholarship Portal. The applicant must provide personal, residence, selection, training and bank account details along with the prescribed supporting documents. The Directorate reviews eligible applications and forwards recommendations for the release of funds. The supplied information also states that the award must be returned if the candidate fails to complete the course or does not pass training. For the July–December 2026 session, the source information lists 31 December 2026 as the application deadline. Candidates should check the official portal and scheme notification for the latest instructions, applicable conditions and any changes to the application schedule. Benefits Financial award: A one-time cash incentive of ₹50,000 for each eligible selected candidate. Defence academies covered: National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Indian Air Force Academy. Coverage across services: Eligible candidates selected for officer training in the Army, Navy or Air Force can receive the same award amount. Recognition of achievement: Encourages youth to pursue defence careers and acknowledges their success in the selection process. Payment method: The award is transferred to the candidate's bank account, subject to verification and approval. Processing cycle: The Directorate's recommendations and payable amounts are reportedly forwarded to the government every six months. Eligibility Applicants must satisfy the residency, academy-selection and training requirements specified under the scheme. The final decision is subject to verification by the implementing authority. The candidate must be a permanent resident or native of Uttarakhand. The candidate must have been selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) or Indian Air Force Academy. For NDA and IMA candidates, the selection must have taken place after 9 November 2011, according to the supplied eligibility conditions. For OTA, INA and Indian Air Force Academy candidates, selection must have taken place after the government order dated 4 September 2019. The candidate must have joined or be undergoing training at the concerned academy and provide the required institutional proof. The candidate must not have received the benefit of this scheme previously. The applicant must submit the required documents and accurate information for verification. Important note: Confirm the applicable selection-date conditions and current eligibility rules in the official scheme notification before applying. Documents Keep the following documents and details ready before starting the online application. The portal or implementing authority may require additional information. Aadhaar Card of the candidate. PAN Card. Bank account details, such as a passbook copy or cancelled cheque. Permanent Residence Certificate of Uttarakhand. Academy appointment or selection letter. Training certificate or proof of training issued by the concerned academy. Proof of joining or completion of training, where applicable. Self-declaration confirming that the candidate has not previously received this scheme's benefit. Any additional documents requested through the official application portal. Process to Apply Applications are submitted online through the Samarth Scholarship Portal. Follow the steps below, and check the portal for current session-specific instructions. Visit the official Samarth Scholarship Portal. Open the registration page and enter the required details, including email address, mobile number, parents' names, gender, date of birth and category, as requested. Create and confirm your password, then submit the registration form. Go to the login page and sign in using your registered credentials. Select the Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme from the available schemes. Enter your personal details, Uttarakhand residence information, academy and selection details, and bank account information. Upload the required documents, including residence proof, selection letter, training certificate, Aadhaar, PAN, bank details and self-declaration. Review the application carefully to ensure that the information and uploaded documents are correct. Submit the application and save the acknowledgement, application number or screenshot for future reference. Check the portal for application updates and respond to any additional document requests from the concerned authority. Application deadline: The supplied information lists 31 December 2026 as the last date for the July–December 2026 session. Verify the deadline and application status on the official portal before submitting. Important condition: The source material states that the award must be returned if the candidate fails to complete the course or fails during training. Review the official notification for the precise conditions governing repayment. Important Links and Contact Samarth Scholarship Portal – Apply online and check available scheme services. Candidate Registration – Create an account on the scholarship portal. Candidate Login – Sign in to access the application. Higher Education Department, Uttarakhand – Official department website. Scheme Notification – Notification link supplied in the source material; confirm that it is accessible and current. Helpdesk email: highereducation.director@gmail.com Implementing authority: Directorate of Higher Education, Uttarakhand. For application or eligibility queries, contact the department or use the contact details published on its official website. FAQs Q1. What is the Uttarakhand Armed Forces Selected Candidates Award Scheme?It is a Uttarakhand government scheme that provides a one-time cash award to eligible state residents selected for training at specified defence academies. Q2. How much money is provided under the scheme?Eligible candidates can receive a one-time award of ₹50,000, subject to the scheme's conditions and approval. Q3. Who implements the scheme?The scheme is administered by the Directorate of Higher Education under the Higher Education Department, Government of Uttarakhand. Q4. Which defence academies are covered?The supplied information lists NDA, IMA, OTA, the Indian Naval Academy and the Indian Air Force Academy. Q5. Is Uttarakhand residency compulsory?Yes. The candidate must be a permanent resident or native of Uttarakhand. Q6. Can candidates from any income group apply?The supplied information states that the award does not depend on family income or social category. Candidates must still satisfy all other eligibility conditions. Q7. Can a candidate receive the award more than once?No. According to the supplied eligibility conditions, the candidate must not have received the benefit previously. Q8. Which documents are required for the application?Commonly listed documents include Aadhaar, PAN, Uttarakhand residence proof, selection letter, training proof, bank details and a self-declaration confirming that the benefit has not been claimed before. Q9. How can I apply for the award?Register and log in through the Samarth Scholarship Portal, select the scheme, enter the required details, upload the documents and submit the application. Q10. What is the application deadline and where can I get help?The supplied information lists 31 December 2026 as the deadline for the July–December 2026 session. Confirm the date on the official portal. For assistance, contact the Higher Education Department at highereducation.director@gmail.com.