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NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2025 – Apply Now & Unlock Your Chance For Higher Education Funding

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 09-10-2025 at 3:30 PM

The North Eastern Council, through the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, has initiated the NEC grant, which is intended for students from the North East region who are undertaking higher professional studies. This government initiative has the objective of assisting students by removing financial problems and nurturing educational advancement. This article describes the scheme, eligibility criteria, the benefits, and the application process.

Overview

The table below summarises some key details about the government scheme that one should know.

Feature	Details
Scheme Name	NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme
Initiated By	North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong
Launch Year	Financial Year 2020-21
Target Group	Students from the North-Eastern States
Scholarship Amount	₹20,000 to ₹30,000 annually (varies by course)
Application Mode	Online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

What Is The NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme?

The NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme is a scholarship scheme introduced by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong, specifically for students from the North-Eastern states of India. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to students so that they can pursue higher education across Indian institutes without any financial burden.

What Is The Scope Of The Sarkari Scheme?

The scholarship is meant to assist individuals in pursuing their higher education in India. It extends to students enrolled in professional courses offered in recognised institutions, both in and outside the North-East.

The Scope allows for studies in India.
Students who study for higher professional courses in and out of the North-East in government-recognised institutions are eligible.
The scheme aids students in Diploma, Degree, Post-Graduate, M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses.

What Are The Eligibility Conditions Of The NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme?

There are a few prerequisite conditions that need to be followed to apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme. These conditions make it possible for the scholarship to go to the right students, especially the students who are from the North-Eastern states. Here are the eligibility requirements:

Permanent Residency: Applicants need to be native permanent residents of the North-Eastern states.
Annual Family Income: Must not go above and beyond ₹8 lakh, from any sources.
Academic Performance:

Diploma/Degree/PG: Must contain a minimum of 60% marks in the qualifying examination and/or degree before applying.
M.Phil./Ph.D.: Require at least 60 per cent in postgraduate courses.

Course Enrollment: Second, the mobility grant is applicable for all recognised courses only (Diploma, Degree, Master's, M.Phil and Ph.D).
Exclusive Benefit: Applicants cannot avail themselves of other scholarships/financial assistance.
Application Timing: They only provide scholarships in the first year of the course in which one is enrolled.

What Are The Benefits Of The NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme?

The NEC Merit Scholarship assists in the financial needs of deserving students, specifically aimed at supporting their education. Its focus is to promote scholarship and skills development among the less privileged areas. The advantages of the scheme are as follows:

Depending on the course level availed, the student gets financial support between 20,000 and 30,000 per year.
Targets students studying professional courses in varied fields.
Promotes excellence in scholarship and skills development among students from less privileged regions.

What Is The Application Process For The NEC Merit Scholarship?

Applying for the NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme is easy and can be done online. Eligible students need to register on the official scholarship portal and complete the application process. Follow these steps to apply:

Step 1: Visit NSP: Log in to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Step 2: Register: Create an account using your personal details and select the NEC Merit Scholarship.

Step 3: Fill out the Form: Provide accurate academic and personal details.

Step 4: Upload Documents: Attach scanned copies of the required documents.

Step 5: Submit Application: Ensure all details are correct before submission.

Documents Required

There are a few documents that students are required to present while applying for the NEC Merit Scholarship to prove their eligibility. Before commencing the application process, ensure all these documents are correct. Here is the list of required documents:

Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC)
Income Certificate issued by the competent authority
Bank account details (in the applicant's name)
Academic qualification certificates and mark sheets
Synopsis signed by the project guide (for M.Phil./Ph.D.)
Additional documents as specified by NSP guidelines

Selection Process

The opening merit list is prepared based on the application, made up of income assessments of the applicants and the academic performance of the students who qualified for the opportunity. All applications go through numerous verification stages before approval. The selection of beneficiaries of the scholarship takes the following procedure:

Verification: Verification is in two stages – at the institute level and the domicile state level.
Merit List: Based on the academic performance in qualifying exams.
Tie-Breaker: Candidates with lower family income are given preference.
Approval: The subsidy is wired through the Once Approved Relief system.

Renewal Process

Students are required to renew their scholarships. The process of renewal, to be followed is as follows:

Renewal applications must be submitted annually via the NSP.
Students who are promoted to the next year only are eligible for the renewal of the scholarship.
All M.Phil./Ph.D. students must submit progress reports for renewal of offer.
Even minor interruptions in the studies or any transfer from one course or institution make students ineligible for further scholarship.

Rates Of Scholarship For Different Courses

The annual scholarship amount for various courses is mentioned below in tabular form for one’s better understanding:

Level of Study	Annual Scholarship Amount
Diploma	₹20,000
Degree	₹22,000
Post-Graduate	₹25,000
M.Phil./Ph.D.	₹30,000

Conclusion

The NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme is one of the most helpful schemes launched for students who are permanent residents of the northeastern states of India. The scholarship scheme is an opportunity designed specifically for them so that they can pursue higher education from reputed Indian institutes.

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