Attractive NEC Merit Scholarship 2025

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Attractive NEC Merit Scholarship 2025

The North Eastern Council (NEC) has released its official notification inviting applications for the NEC Merit Scholarship 2025-26. This prestigious scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India pursuing higher education across the country.

The scholarship aims to empower talented youth with financial support to pursue Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. courses in recognized institutions.

NEC Merit Scholarship 2025 – Overview

Name of Scholarship: NEC Merit Scholarship 2025
Academic Year: 2025–2026
Total Number of Scholarships: 1600
Awarding Authority: North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India
Helpline: 0120-6619540
Email: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in

Eligibility Criteria for NEC Merit Scholarship 2025

To be eligible for the NEC Merit Scholarship 2025, students must meet the following criteria:

Residency: Permanent resident of any North Eastern State (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
Family Income: Annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 8.0 lakh. Valid income certificate is mandatory.
Other Scholarships: Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship/financial assistance.
Year of Award: Only students in the first year of the course are eligible. Renewal is available for later years upon meeting conditions.
Eligible Courses: Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil, Ph.D. in recognized Indian institutions. Not valid for internships or purely practical training.

Educational Qualification

Applicants must have scored at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination:

Diploma: Passed HSLC/HSSLC/Secondary/Senior Secondary with ≥60%
Degree: Passed HSSLC/Senior Secondary with ≥60%
Postgraduate: Degree-level exam with ≥60%
M.Phil./Ph.D.: Postgraduate degree with ≥60%

Scholarship Amount (Annual)

Diploma: ₹20,000
Degree: ₹22,000
Postgraduate: ₹25,000
M.Phil./Ph.D.: ₹30,000

Number of Scholarships by State

Scholarships are distributed across states:

Arunachal Pradesh: 209
Assam: 320
Manipur: 192
Meghalaya: 192
Mizoram: 192
Nagaland: 192
Sikkim: 111
Tripura: 192

Each state’s quota is divided among Diploma, Degree, PG, M.Phil./Ph.D. levels.

Selection Process

Merit-based selection from verified applications on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
M.Phil. and Ph.D. candidates: Topic of research must be directly relevant to the North East Region’s issues. Basic/theoretical topics are generally not favored.
Final merit lists are prepared based on qualifying exam marks and state-wise course-level quotas.

How to Apply Online for NEC Merit Scholarship 2025

Applications are accepted online only via the National Scholarship Portal:

Visit scholarships.gov.in.
Click New Registration.
Fill in required personal details and create login credentials.
Log in and complete the application form with academic details.
Upload required documents.
Submit the form and take a printout for records.

Required Documents

Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC)
Income Certificate from Competent Authority
Bank Account Details (optional, but recommended)
Academic Certificates (qualifying exam)
Synopsis (for M.Phil./Ph.D.) signed by the guide/Director
Other documents as per NSP guidelines

Important Dates

Start Date: 2 June 2025
Last Date to Apply: 31 October 2025
Last Date for Defective Verification: 15 November 2025
Last Date for Institute Verification: 15 November 2025

Important Web Links

Apply Online	Click Here
One-Time Registration	Register \| Login
Official Notification	Guideline
Official Website	Click Here

FAQs – NEC Merit Scholarship 2025

Q1. Who can apply for NEC Merit Scholarship 2025?
Students who are permanent residents of any North Eastern State and meet income and academic criteria.

Q2. What is the family income limit?
Annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh.

Q3. What courses are covered?
Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., Ph.D. in recognized Indian institutions.

Q4. How is selection done?
On merit basis, using marks from qualifying exams. M.Phil./Ph.D. require topic approval.

Q5. Can I apply if I already have another scholarship?
No, students receiving other scholarships or financial aid are not eligible.

Q6. How much is the scholarship amount?
₹20,000–30,000 annually, depending on level of study.

Q7. How do I apply?
Through the National Scholarship Portal by registering and submitting your application online.

Q8. Is there any reservation or quota?
No reservation based on category/religion/gender; selection is purely merit-based within state quotas.