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NEC Merit Scholarship 2026
🎓 NEC Merit Scholarship 2026
NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Eligibility Criteria & Online Apply
North Eastern Council (NEC) | Ministry of DoNER, Government of India | Academic Year 2026–2027
1,600
Total Scholarships
320
Assam Quota
₹30,000
Max Amount/Yr
31 Oct
Last Date
The NEC Merit Scholarship 2026, awarded by the North Eastern Council (Ministry of DoNER), provides financial assistance ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per year to 1,600 meritorious students across North East India. Eligible candidates pursuing Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate, or M.Phil/Ph.D. courses with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks and a family income below ₹8 Lakh per annum can apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
🔔 Applications Open: NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 (Renewal) applications started 15 July 2026. Last date to apply online: 31 October 2026. Students of all 8 North Eastern States pursuing Diploma, Degree, PG, M.Phil or Ph.D — apply now on the National Scholarship Portal!
NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Quick Details
| Scholarship Name |
NEC Merit Scholarship |
| Awarding Authority |
North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India, Shillong |
| Academic Year |
2026 – 2027 |
| Total Scholarships |
1,600 |
| Eligible Courses |
Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate, M.Phil./Ph.D |
| Family Income Limit |
₹8.0 Lakh per annum (all sources) |
| Apply Mode |
Online via National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Apply Start Date (Renewal) |
15 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Renewal) |
31 October 2026 |
NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Overview
The North Eastern Council (NEC) has released the official notification for the grant of NEC Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2026–2027. Students of the North East (NE) Region studying in different disciplines and levels, at institutions inside as well as outside the North East (but within India), can apply online for this scholarship.
A total of 1,600 scholarships are awarded every year across the 8 North Eastern States, covering Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate and M.Phil./Ph.D levels. The scholarship is purely merit-based, and Assam has the largest state quota with 320 scholarships.
🏭 Assam has the highest allocation among all NE states with 320 scholarships – Diploma: 30, Degree: 200, PG Degree: 80, M.Phil/PhD: 10.
Scholarship Amount
| Level of Study |
Amount (Fresh & Renewal) |
| Diploma |
₹20,000/- p.a. |
| Degree |
₹22,000/- p.a. |
| Post Graduate |
₹25,000/- p.a. |
| M.Phil / Ph.D |
₹30,000/- p.a. |
💳 The scholarship is available for the prescribed duration of the course, subject to renewal conditions. Extension beyond the prescribed period is not entertained.
State-wise Scholarship Allocation (Fresh Scholarships)
| State |
Diploma |
Degree |
PG |
M.Phil/PhD |
Total |
| Assam 🏭 |
30 |
200 |
80 |
10 |
320 |
| Arunachal Pradesh |
20 |
130 |
52 |
7 |
209 |
| 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 – All States |
|
1,600 |
Eligibility Criteria (Qualifying Examination)
Diploma: HSLC/HSSLC/Secondary or Senior Secondary Leaving Certificate exam from a recognised State/Central board with minimum 60% aggregate.
Degree: HSSLC/Senior Secondary Leaving Certificate exam from a recognised State/Central board with minimum 60% aggregate.
Post Graduate: Degree-level exam in any discipline (BA/BSc/BE/B.Tech/MBBS/LLB/BCA/BBA etc.) from a recognized Institute/University with minimum 60% aggregate.
M.Phil/Ph.D: PG degree from any recognized University with minimum 60% aggregate.
Other Eligibility Conditions
•Open only to permanent residents of the North Eastern States.
•Family/guardian’s annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹8.0 Lakh.
•The student must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance from another source at the time of availing this scholarship.
•Sponsored candidates under full employment, or working/in-service candidates, are not eligible.
•A student is considered for scholarship only in the year of commencement of the course; subsequent years require renewal only.
📚 M.Phil/Ph.D Selection: Based on the topic of research/synopsis, which must be directly and specifically relevant to NE Region issues. Basic and theoretical research is generally not favoured.
Documents Required
•Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) issued by Dy. Commissioner/Sub-divisional Officer (Certificate of Identification for Sikkim) – Mandatory.
•Income Certificate issued by the Competent Authority – Mandatory.
•Bank Account Pass Book in applicant’s name – Optional.
•Details of qualifying examination – Mandatory.
•Synopsis signed by project guide/Director (Research), for M.Phil/Ph.D candidates – Mandatory.
How to Apply for NEC Merit Scholarship 2026
1
Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in via the Important Links section below.
2
Click on the Online Application Form link to open the portal.
3
Click on “New Registration” and enter your details as required to register yourself.
4
After registration, log in with your credentials and upload your documents as required in the portal.
5
Click “Submit” and take a printout of your submitted application for future reference.
Important Dates (Renewal)
Apply Starts
15 July 2026
⏰ Last Date
31 October 2026
Defective Verification
15 November 2026
Institute Verification
30 November 2026
Important Links
Online Application Form
National Scholarship Portal
Apply Now
One-Time Registration
Register / Login
Register
Official Notification & Guidelines
NEC Merit Scholarship Scheme Rules
Download
Official Website – NSP
scholarships.gov.in
Visit
📞 Helpline: 0120-6619540 | Email: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
Join Whatsapp Channel
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
QWho are eligible to apply for the NEC Scholarship Scheme?
Students fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the scheme guidelines of NEC Merit Scholarship under the Ministry of DoNER are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted on the National Scholarship Portal.
QIs there any reservation/quota under the scheme?
No. There is no reservation or quota on the basis of category, religion or gender.
QIs there any income criteria under the scheme?
Yes. The scholarship is admissible to students whose parent/guardian’s annual income from all sources does not exceed ₹8.0 Lakh.
QWhat is the criterion for selection of students for scholarships?
The scholarship is purely merit-based. The merit list is prepared exclusively on marks obtained in the qualifying exams, complying with level-of-course-wise slots allotted to each state. For M.Phil/Ph.D, selection is based on the topic of research/synopsis relevant to NE Region issues.
QI have enrolled in M.Phil/Ph.D, but my topic is not finalized – can I apply?
No. Only students whose M.Phil/Ph.D topic is submitted and who are registered with that topic can apply for the scholarship.
Apply Online Now – NEC Scholarship 2026 | Last Date: 31 Oct 2026
Download Official NEC Scholarship Guideline PDF
NEC | Merit Scholarship 2026–27 | 1,600 Scholarships | Assam Quota: 320 | Last Date: 31 October 2026
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