NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Eligibility Criteria & Online Apply
NEC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship for 2026-2027.
NEC Merit Scholarship 2026
The North Eastern Council (NEC) has released the official notification for the NEC Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2026-2027. This scholarship is available for students from the North East region studying in various disciplines both inside and outside the North-East.
Scholarship Details
The NEC Merit Scholarship offers a total of 1600 scholarships for the academic year 2026-2027. The awarding authority is the North Eastern Council, under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NEC Merit Scholarship, students must be permanent residents of any North Eastern state and must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance. The scholarship is available for various levels of study including Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate, and M.Phil./Ph.D.
Educational Qualification
| Course Level | Qualifying Examination | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | HSLC/HSSLC from a recognized board | 60% |
| Degree | HSSLC from a recognized board | 60% |
| Post Graduate | Degree from a recognized university | 60% |
| M.Phil./Ph.D | PG degree from a recognized university | 60% |
Scholarship Amount
| Level of Study | Amount (p.a.) |
|---|---|
| Diploma | 20,000 |
| Degree | 22,000 |
| Post Graduate | 25,000 |
| M.Phil./Ph.D | 30,000 |
How to Apply
Steps to Apply for NEC Merit Scholarship
- Step 1:Visit the official national scholarship portal at https://scholarships.gov.in
- Step 2:Go to the Important Web Links section.
- Step 3:Click on the Online Application Form link.
- Step 4:Select 'New Registration'.
- Step 5:Enter your details and register.
- Step 6:Fill in your credentials and upload required documents.
- Step 7:Click 'Submit' and print your application.
For any queries, contact the helpline at 0120 - 6619540 or email [email protected].
Required Documents
Applicants must have specific documents ready during the application process. They may need to upload scanned copies of these documents according to the current rules and guidelines.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) | Mandatory |
| Income Certificate | Mandatory |
| Bank Account Pass Book | Optional |
| Details of qualifying examination | Mandatory |
| Synopsis signed by project guide/Director | Mandatory |
| Any other document as required under NSP guidelines | As needed |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Starting date of online application submission (Renewal) | 15th July 2026 |
| Last date of online application submission (Renewal) | 31st October 2026 |
| Last date of Defective Verification (Renewal) | 15th November 2026 |
| Last date of Institute Verification (Renewal) | 30th November 2026 |
FAQs on NEC Merit Scholarship
Who are eligible to apply for the NEC Scholarship Scheme?
Students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the NEC Merit Scholarship guidelines by the Ministry of DoNER can apply for these scholarships. Detailed criteria are available on the National Scholarship Portal.
Is there any reservation / quota under the scheme?
The scheme does not provide any reservation or quota based on category, religion, or gender.
Is there any income criteria under the scheme?
Yes, the scholarship is available to students whose parent or guardian's annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs 8.0 lakh.
What is the criterion for selection of students for scholarships?
Selection for the scholarship is based purely on merit. A merit list will be created based on the marks obtained in qualifying exams, adhering to the course-wise slots allocated to the states. For M. Phil and Ph. D. candidates, selection will also consider the relevance of their research topic or synopsis to issues affecting the NE Region.
I have enrolled in M/Phil / PhD, but my topic is not finalized, can I apply for scholarships?
No, only students who have submitted their MPhil or PhD topic and are registered with that topic are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
📋Job Summary
The North Eastern Council has announced the NEC Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2026-2027, offering 1600 scholarships to eligible students from the North East region. Applicants must have a minimum of 60% marks in their qualifying exams and be permanent residents of North Eastern states.