North Eastern Council has opened the NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 for students from the eight North Eastern states pursuing diploma, degree, postgraduate, and research programmes. The portal is live for academic year 2026-27 and applications close on 31 October 2026.
This scheme provides annual financial support ranging from ₹20,000 for diploma courses to ₹30,000 for M.Phil and Ph.D programmes. Students apply through the National Scholarship Portal using the new One Time Registration system.
NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 - Introduction
The NEC Merit Scholarship helps students from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura pursue higher professional courses without money problems. The North Eastern Council runs this scheme under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
You should submit your application exclusively through the National Scholarship Portal. For research scholars, the scholarship starts once your university formalizes your registration. A total of 1,600 fresh scholarships are distributed across the eight states every year.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | NEC Merit Scholarship |
| Launched By | North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region |
| Beneficiaries | Students from 8 North Eastern states |
| Benefit Amount | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 per year (course dependent) |
| Application Mode | Online via National Scholarship Portal |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
| Helpline | 0364-2522674 (Director HRD&E, NEC Shillong) |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 |
Benefits
The scheme offers the following annual financial support to help manage your study costs:
| Course Level | Annual Scholarship Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Diploma | 20,000 |
| Degree | 22,000 |
| Postgraduate | 25,000 |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | 30,000 |
The council allocates a fixed number of fresh scholarships for each state to ensure fair distribution. Renewal depends on your academic progress and compliance with scheme rules. If you have any questions regarding these amounts, you should contact the Director (HRD&E), North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong at 0364-2522674.
Eligibility
To apply for NEC Merit Scholarship, you should meet the following requirements:
You must be a permanent resident of a North Eastern state. You should be enrolled in a recognized institution for a diploma, degree, postgraduate, or research (M.Phil/Ph.D.) program. Your family's total annual income must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
Academic Standards: You should have secured at least 60% marks in your previous qualifying examination. For example, if Ramesh is applying for a degree scholarship, he should have finished his HSSLC with 60% aggregate marks.
Important Reminders:
- You should not be receiving any other scholarship simultaneously.
- There is no quota based on religion or gender.
- If you are a research scholar, your topic must be relevant to the North Eastern region.
- You can only apply as a fresh candidate in your first year of the course.
Exclusions
You are not eligible for this scholarship if you are a fully employed professional or a candidate under full-time service. Practical training or internships do not qualify for this support. Additionally, once a student changes their course subject or institution, their eligibility for scholarship renewal is discontinued.
Application Process
You should complete your application process through the National Scholarship Portal. The portal is open for AY 2026-27 from 1st June 2026. Always aim to apply early so you have time, if needed, to fix any errors flagged by the authorities.
STEP 1 - Go to scholarships.gov.in and complete your One Time Registration using Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrollment ID. This OTR is mandatory from academic year 2024-25 onwards and stays valid for your entire academic career.
STEP 2 - After OTR, log in to the portal and select the NEC Merit Scholarship scheme from the on-boarded schemes list.
STEP 3 - Fill in all required fields accurately and upload your documents. You can save your draft and finish later, or click Final Submit to complete your application.
STEP 4 - You can also apply using the NSP Mobile app or UMANG Mobile App. Common Service Centres (CSCs) offer application help for a fixed charge of ₹30 per candidate.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for your application:
- Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) or Certificate of Identification (for Sikkim residents) issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
- Income Certificate issued by a competent authority showing family income below ₹8 lakh.
- Bank Account Passbook - Account must be in the applicant's name, preferably linked to Aadhaar.
- Qualifying Examination Marksheet or Certificate.
- Synopsis for M.Phil/Ph.D. candidates, signed by your research guide.
Please note that the bank account must remain active throughout your course to ensure timely receipt of funds via direct benefit transfer.
Selection Process
For diploma, degree, and postgraduate students, selection is purely based on marks in the qualifying examination. Higher percentage means better chances. For M.Phil and Ph.D students, selection depends on the research topic or synopsis which must be directly relevant to issues concerning the North Eastern region. Basic and theoretical research topics are generally not favoured.
In case of a tie, preference goes to the candidate with lower family income. There is no reservation or quota based on category, religion, or gender. If a state's allotted quota remains unfilled, it may be distributed to eligible students from other North Eastern states based on merit.
Renewal Rules
You must submit a renewal form on NSP every year during your course. For renewal, you need to pass your exams and be promoted to the next year. Any break in scholarship makes you ineligible for further payments for that course. Changing your subject or institution stops renewal eligibility. Medical breaks with proper documentation from District Medical Officer may be considered for continuation.
State-wise Allocation
| State | Diploma | Degree | PG Degree | M.Phil/Ph.D | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | 20 | 130 | 52 | 7 | 209 |
| Assam | 30 | 200 | 80 | 10 | 320 |
| Manipur | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Meghalaya | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Mizoram | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Nagaland | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Sikkim | 10 | 70 | 28 | 3 | 111 |
| Tripura | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Total | 150 | 1000 | 400 | 50 | 1600 |
References
FAQ's
Is there any reservation under this scheme?
No, there is no reservation or quota based on category, religion, or gender.
Is there an income limit for applicants?
Yes, your family's annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
How are students selected for the scholarship?
Selection is purely merit-based. The authorities prepare a list based on your marks in qualifying exams and the available slots for your state. Research candidates must submit a synopsis relevant to issues concerning the North Eastern region.
Can I apply if my M.Phil/Ph.D. topic is not yet finalized?
No, you should only apply once your research topic is officially registered with your university.
Will I automatically receive the scholarship for the entire course?
No, you should submit a renewal form on the portal annually. Scholarships are granted one year at a time, subject to you passing your exams and maintaining academic progress.
Can I edit my application after final submission?
No, once you click Final Submit, the application moves to the next level of verification and cannot be edited by you.
How can I check my application status?
You can check the status by logging into the National Scholarship Portal using your permanent application ID and date of birth.
What is One Time Registration (OTR)?
OTR is a unique 14-digit number issued based on your Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrollment ID. It is mandatory from AY 2024-25 and stays valid for your entire academic career, eliminating the need to register every year.
Where can I get help with my application?
You can visit any Common Service Centre for assistance at a fixed charge of ₹30. You can also contact the Director (HRD&E), North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong at 0364-2522674 for scheme-related queries.