Introduction NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme, officially known as Financial Support to the Students of North Eastern Region for Higher Professional Courses, is a scholarship initiative of the North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The scheme aims to support deserving students from the North Eastern States in pursuing higher education and professional studies across India. The scholarship is available for students enrolled in approved Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., and PhD programmes at recognised institutions. Financial assistance is provided annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to help students meet educational expenses and encourage academic excellence. Students belonging to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura can apply for the scholarship, provided they satisfy the prescribed academic and income criteria. The scheme supports studies in institutions located both within and outside the North Eastern Region. Applications are accepted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Selection is merit-based and subject to the scholarship allocation approved for the participating North Eastern States. Benefits Annual scholarship of ₹20,000 for Diploma courses. Annual scholarship of ₹22,000 for Degree courses. Annual scholarship of ₹25,000 for Postgraduate programmes. Annual scholarship of ₹30,000 for M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars. Financial assistance is credited directly to the student's bank account through DBT. Support available for studies at recognized institutions anywhere in India. Helps students manage academic and professional course-related expenses. Encourages higher education among students from the North Eastern Region. Approximately 1,600 fresh scholarships are offered under the scheme every year, subject to allocation and availability. Research scholars pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. can receive support for studies related to issues concerning the North Eastern Region. Eligibility Applicant must be a permanent resident of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, or Tripura. Annual income of parents/guardians from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh. Applicant must have secured at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination. Must be admitted to a recognized institution in an eligible course. Fresh applicants should be studying in the first year of the approved programme. Eligible courses include Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes. Students studying anywhere in India can apply, subject to scheme conditions. Applicant should not be receiving any other scholarship for the same course. Full-time employed, sponsored, or in-service candidates are not eligible. M.Phil. and Ph.D. applicants must undertake research related to issues of the North Eastern Region. Renewal applicants must maintain satisfactory academic progress as prescribed. Documents Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) issued by the competent authority. Certificate of Identification (COI) for eligible applicants from Sikkim. Income Certificate of parent/guardian. Marksheet of the qualifying examination. Admission proof from the institution. Student's Bank Account Passbook. Aadhaar Card. Passport-size Photograph. Research Synopsis approved by the guide/institution (for M.Phil. and Ph.D. applicants). Institution verification documents, if required. Any additional documents prescribed on NSP during application. Process to Apply Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered. Login using the generated OTR credentials. Select the NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme from the available scholarship list. Fill in personal, academic, domicile, income, and bank account details. Upload the required documents in the prescribed format. Verify all information before final submission. Submit the scholarship application online. Application will undergo institution and authority-level verification. Selected candidates will receive scholarship benefits through DBT. Applicants should regularly track their application status on NSP. Renewal applications must be submitted every academic year, subject to eligibility. Important Links and Contact National Scholarship Portal (NSP): https://scholarships.gov.in/ North Eastern Council (NEC): https://necouncil.gov.in/ Ministry of DoNER: https://mdoner.gov.in/ Mode of Application: Online Scholarship Disbursement Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Nodal Agency: North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER NEC Secretariat Address: Nongrim Hills, Shillong, Meghalaya – 793003 Helpline Number: 0364-2522674 Email: iprsector.nec-meg@gov.in FAQs Q1. What is the NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme?It is a scholarship programme that provides financial assistance to eligible students from the North Eastern States pursuing higher education and professional courses. Q2. Which students can apply for the scholarship?Permanent residents of the eight North Eastern States enrolled in eligible courses at recognized institutions can apply. Q3. What is the maximum scholarship amount available?Students pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. courses can receive up to ₹30,000 per year. Q4. Is there any income limit under the scheme?Yes, the annual income of the parent or guardian should not exceed ₹8 lakh. Q5. What minimum marks are required to apply?Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination. Q6. Can students studying outside the North Eastern Region apply?Yes, eligible students studying at recognized institutions anywhere in India can apply. Q7. How is the scholarship amount paid?The scholarship is transferred directly to the student's bank account through DBT. Q8. Where can applications be submitted?Applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Q9. Can a student receive another scholarship along with this scheme?No, students receiving financial assistance for the same course under another scholarship are generally not eligible. Q10. Is renewal required every year?Yes, beneficiaries must apply for renewal annually and satisfy the prescribed academic requirements.