NEC Merit Scholarship: The North Eastern Council offers the NEC Merit Scholarship to provide financial support to meritorious students from the North Eastern Region (NER) pursuing higher professional studies in India. The scholarship covers Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. courses. Its objective is to encourage and support students of NER to pursue quality education and enhance their employability. The scheme is implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), ensuring transparency and ease of application. The scholarship amount ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per annum depending on the level of study.
NEC Merit Scholarship 2025: Overview
| Scholarship Name | NEC Merit Scholarship |
| Launched By | North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India |
| Beneficiaries | Permanent residents of North Eastern States |
| Level of Study | Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., Ph.D. |
| Mode of Application | Online through National Scholarship Portal |
Important Dates
| Scheme Open | 02 June 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 December 2025 |
| Defective Application Verification | 31 December 2025 |
| Institute Verification | 31 December 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification | 15 January 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of any North Eastern State.
- Must be enrolled in Diploma, Degree, PG, M.Phil. or Ph.D. courses in recognized institutions in India.
- Parent/guardian annual income should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- Must have secured at least 60% marks in the previous qualifying examination.
- Must not be receiving any other scholarship/financial assistance.
- Fresh scholarship is applicable only in the year of admission.
- Renewal allowed subject to passing the previous year/semester.
- For M.Phil. — scholarship available for 2 years.
- For Ph.D. — scholarship available for 3 years.
Scholarship Amount
| Level of Study | Scholarship Amount (Per Annum) |
|---|---|
| Diploma | ₹20,000 |
| Degree | ₹22,000 |
| Postgraduate | ₹25,000 |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | ₹30,000 |
Documents Required
- Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC)
- Income Certificate issued by competent authority
- Bank Account Passbook (in the name of the applicant)
- Marksheet/Certificate of qualifying examination
- Synopsis signed by project guide (for M.Phil./Ph.D.)
- Any other document required as per NSP guidelines
How to Apply
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal https://scholarships.gov.in.
- Register as a New User and log in with your credentials.
- Fill in the required personal, academic, and bank details.
- Upload the required documents as per instructions.
- Submit the application form and take a printout for reference.
- Application will be verified at Institute Level and State Level.
- On selection, the amount will be disbursed directly to the applicant’s bank account.
Important Links
| NSP One Time Registration | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
| Know Your State Nodal Officer | Click Here |
| Track NSP Payment (PFMS) | pfms.nic.in |
| Check Application Status | Check Here |
Helpdesk
- Email: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
- Helpline: 0120 – 6619540 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, all days except Govt. holidays)
- Toll Free Number: 1800 118 111
NEC Merit Scholarship: FAQs
Q. Who can apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship?
A. A student who is a permanent resident of any North Eastern State and has secured admission in a Diploma, Degree, PG, M.Phil., or Ph.D. course in India.
Q. What is the minimum percentage required?
A. A minimum of 60% marks in the previous qualifying examination.
Q. Can I receive another scholarship along with NEC Merit Scholarship?
A. No, students receiving other scholarships are not eligible.
Q. How will the scholarship amount be disbursed?
A. The amount will be disbursed directly to the student’s bank account via DBT.
Q. Is renewal allowed if a student fails in a year?
A. No, renewal is allowed only if the student passes or is promoted to the next year/semester.