The North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) provides the NEC Merit Scholarship to domicile students of North Eastern States doing Diploma, Degree, PG and Post Graduation degree(M. Phil., Ph.D.) courses from recognized Indian Institutions.
Key Features:
- Scholarships are disbursement through National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
- Scholarship for In-State and Non-In-State students studying both within, out-of North-East India.
- M.Phil or Ph.D – candidates have to submit university dismission from.
- Age Proof and Income Certificate of Parents should not be less than ₹8,00,000 per annum..
Benefits
The scholarship amount varies as per the level of study:
| Level of Study | Scholarship Amount (₹ per annum) |
|---|---|
| Diploma | ₹ 20,000 |
| Degree | ₹ 22,000 |
| Postgraduate | ₹ 25,000 |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | ₹ 30,000 |
Annual Allocation of Fresh Scholarships per State
| 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 |
| Tripura | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
| Sikkim | 10 | 70 | 28 | 3 | 111 |
| Total | 150 | 1000 | 400 | 50 | 1600 |
Eligibility
Permanent resident of any North Eastern State (NER).
Admitted in Diploma, Degree, PG, M.Phil, or Ph.D. courses in a recognized institute within India.
Parental/guardian income must not exceed ₹8,00,000 annually.
Minimum academic performance requirements:
| Level | Qualifying Examination | Minimum Marks (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | HSLC/HSSLC (10th or 12th) | 60% |
| Degree | HSSLC (12th) | 60% |
| PG | Degree (BA/BSc/BTech etc.) | 60% |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | PG Degree | 60% |
Additional Notes:
- No reservation/quota based on category, religion, or gender.
- Preference to candidates with lower family income in case of a tie.
- Applicants must not receive any other financial assistance/scholarship.
- Scholarship covers full course duration (except renewals).
Selection & Disbursal Process
Selection purely on merit (qualifying exam marks).
M.Phil./Ph.D. students are selected based on research topics relevant to the North Eastern Region.
If quota remains unfilled, it is redistributed among other eligible candidates.
Scholarships are directly transferred to the student’s bank account via DBT mode.
Renewal of Scholarship
Scholarship renewal is annual.
Students must submit renewal applications through NSP with the previous year’s exam results.
M.Phil./Ph.D. students must submit a progress report from their guide/university registrar.
Students must be promoted to the next academic year/semester.
No backlog of more than one year.
Break in studies disqualifies the student from renewal.
Institution change is not permitted for renewal.
Exclusions
Sponsored candidates in full employment.
Students undergoing internships or practical training.
Students changing course streams after scholarship approval.
Students changing institutions are not eligible for renewal.
Application Process
Online through National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
- Go to NSP Portal: www.scholarships.gov.in
- Click on “New Registration”.
- Read and accept the guidelines, then continue.
- Fill in the registration form and submit.
- Receive Application ID & Password via SMS.
- Login with credentials, enter OTP, and reset the password.
- Complete the application form, upload required documents.
- Submit the application and save the registration number.
Documents Required
- Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) issued by DC/SDO (Civil).
- Income Certificate (Mandatory).
- Bank Account Passbook copy (preferably Aadhaar-linked).
- Marksheets of previous exams (Mandatory).
- M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates must submit research synopsis signed by project guide.
- Additional documents as required by NSP.
Important Note:
- Bank account must be in the student’s name.
- Scholarship disbursal is subject to active/operational bank accounts.
- NSP will reject incomplete/ineligible applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is there any reservation quota under the scheme?
A: No, selection is purely merit-based.
Q: What is the annual income limit for eligibility?
A: ₹8,00,000 from all sources.
Q: How are students selected for the scholarship?
A: Based on merit (qualifying exam marks) and compliance with eligibility criteria.
Q: I have enrolled in M.Phil./Ph.D. but my research topic is not finalized. Can I apply?
A: No, M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates must submit a research synopsis at the time of application.
Q: If I get the scholarship for the first year, will I automatically receive it for subsequent years?
A: No, renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance and a fresh application each year.
Q: Can I edit my application after submission?
A: Yes, before final submission.
Q: How do I check my application status?
A: Log in to NSP and track your application.
Q: Can I apply while receiving another scholarship?
A: No, students availing other scholarships are not eligible.
Sources & References
- Official Website: www.scholarships.gov.in
- Guidelines
- FAQ