NEC Stipend And Book Grant Scheme gives stipend and book grant support to students domiciled in Nagaland who are studying higher professional courses within India. Selection depends on academic merit and financial need, and the funds come from North Eastern Council (NEC) under the plan scheme for financial support to students of North Eastern Region for higher professional courses. For the 2026-27 academic session, this NEC-funded scholarship support for Nagaland students is now available through NEC Merit Scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland manages the scheme at the state level. NEC Stipend And Book Grant Scheme encourages national integration, global understanding, social responsibility, and new ways of thinking among students. Both Scheduled Tribe and General category students can apply, but the number of stipends given every year depends on fund availability.
NEC Stipend And Book Grant Scheme - Introduction
Under the NEC plan scheme for financial support to students of North Eastern Region for higher professional courses, students of Nagaland get stipend and book grant money for approved professional courses. Earlier, applications for NEC Stipend and Book Grant were submitted through the Common Scholarship Portal of Nagaland. For the 2026-27 cycle, the Department of Higher Education, Nagaland has listed NEC Merit Scholarship as the NEC-funded scheme, and its applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal, which opened for the academic year 2026-27 from 1 June 2026.
NEC Merit Scholarship is funded fully by NEC, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India. Students can also read the separate NEC Merit Scholarship article for the all-North East picture. The Common Scholarship Portal of Nagaland now handles State Merit, State Research and State Disability scholarships, while NEC support goes through NSP. Students who want state-level study support can also check Nagaland State Merit Scholarship details.
Key Information
| Key | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | NEC Stipend And Book Grant Scheme |
| Funding Agency | North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Government of India |
| Level | State |
| Target Beneficiary | Individual |
| State | Nagaland |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash Stipend and Book Grant |
| Nodal Department | Department of Higher Education, Nagaland |
| Application Portal (2026-27) | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
Benefits
Selected students receive cash stipend and book grant to cover the study costs of professional courses. This support handles tuition-related expenses and study material, so students can focus on classes instead of money problems.
Under the NEC Merit Scholarship framework on NSP, the annual amount is about ₹20,000 for diploma courses, ₹22,000 for degree courses, ₹25,000 for postgraduate courses and ₹30,000 for M.Phil or PhD courses. The money is paid directly to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account of the student through DBT payment.
Eligibility
To apply, a student should meet the following conditions:
- Be a permanent resident of Nagaland with a Nagaland PRC or domicile proof.
- Belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) or General category.
- ST students should have at least 60% marks in the last qualifying examination, while General category students need minimum 75% marks.
- Be enrolled in a higher professional course approved by North Eastern Council (NEC) within India.
- For the NEC Merit Scholarship application on NSP, the general benchmark is 60% marks in the qualifying exam and family income up to ₹8 lakh per year.
Application Process
For 2026-27, apply online through the National Scholarship Portal:
STEP 1 - Open the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in and register as a new user with Aadhaar-based eKYC.
STEP 2 - Log in to the account and search for NEC Merit Scholarship under the state scheme list of Nagaland.
STEP 3 - Fill the online application form and enter accurate personal, academic and bank details.
STEP 4 - Upload the required documents in the given format and submit the application.
STEP 5 - Note the application ID, take a printout and get it verified by the educational institution as per the department instructions.
Students applying for other state-level scholarships can register at Nagaland Common Scholarship Portal, where State Merit, Research and Disability scholarships are open from 1 August 2026.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before starting the online application:
- Nagaland PRC or permanent residence certificate to prove domicile.
- ST certificate for ST students and indigenous certificate where applicable.
- Mark sheets and admit cards from Class 10 onwards for all qualifying examinations.
- Admission receipt and institution registration or affiliation certificate.
- Aadhaar card, Aadhaar-seeded bank account details and family income certificate.
References
Scholarship Schemes List, Department of Higher Education, Nagaland
Official NEC Stipend and Book Grant details, Nagaland
Nagaland Common Scholarship Portal Registration
FAQ's
What is NEC Stipend And Book Grant Scheme?
It is a stipend and book grant support for Nagaland domiciled students studying higher professional courses approved by North Eastern Council within India.
Is the scheme still open in 2026?
Yes, NEC-funded support for higher professional courses continues for the 2026-27 session. Applications are now submitted through NEC Merit Scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal, and the Nagaland Common Scholarship Portal no longer lists NEC Stipend and Book Grant as a separate active scheme.
Who can apply?
Permanent residents of Nagaland from ST or General category who are studying NEC-approved higher professional courses inside India.
What marks are required?
As per state criteria, ST students need 60% and General students need 75% in the last qualifying exam. For the NSP route of NEC Merit Scholarship, the general benchmark is 60% marks and family income up to ₹8 lakh per year.
How much financial support is given?
Selected students get cash stipend and book grant. Under NEC Merit Scholarship, annual support ranges from about ₹20,000 for diploma courses to ₹30,000 for M.Phil or PhD courses, paid through DBT.
What is the last date to apply?
NSP opened for 2026-27 from 1 June 2026 and the NEC Merit Scholarship window is expected to close around mid-November 2026. The final date depends on the official notification, so check the NSP scheme page regularly.