Are you a student from Northeast India struggling to pay for your education? Good news — the North Eastern Council (NEC) has a special scholarship just for you. The NEC Merit Scholarship 2026 gives financial support to hardworking students from all eight states of Northeast India so they can continue their studies without money being a problem.
This scholarship is open to students from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Whether you are doing a Diploma, a Degree course, Post Graduation, or even a Ph.D., you can apply for this scholarship. The best part? You apply online through the National Scholarship Portal, which makes everything simple and hassle-free.
Eligibility Criteria
Before filling out the form, check whether you qualify. Here are all the conditions you need to meet:
1. You Must Be a Permanent Resident of Northeast India Only students who permanently live in one of the eight Northeast states can apply. Students from other parts of India cannot apply.
2. You Must Have Scored at Least 60% in Your Last Exam Your marks in the qualifying exam play the biggest role. Here is the minimum required percentage for each level:
| Level of Course | Qualifying Exam | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | HSLC / HSSLC / Secondary or Senior Secondary Certificate | 60% |
| Degree | HSSLC / Senior Secondary Certificate | 60% |
| Post Graduate | Graduation (BA, BSc, B.Tech, MBBS, etc.) | 60% |
| M.Phil. / Ph.D. | Post Graduate Degree | 60% |
3. Family Income Must Be Below ₹8 Lakh Per Year Your total family income from all sources should not be more than ₹8 lakh per year. You will need to submit an official income certificate to prove this.
4. You Should Not Be Getting Any Other Scholarship If you are already receiving money from any other scholarship or financial aid scheme, you cannot apply for this one. You can only hold one scholarship at a time.
5. You Should Not Be a Fully Employed Working Professional If you are already working full-time and your employer is sponsoring your studies, you are not eligible for this scholarship.
6. You Can Only Apply in Your First Year Fresh applications are accepted only when you first join a course. From the second year onwards, you can only renew your scholarship — not apply again.
How Much Money Will You Get?
The amount you receive depends on which level of course you are studying. Here is the full breakdown:
| Level of Study | Scholarship Amount Per Year |
|---|---|
| Diploma | ₹20,000 |
| Degree (BA, BSc, B.Tech, etc.) | ₹22,000 |
| Post Graduate (MA, MSc, MBA, etc.) | ₹25,000 |
| M.Phil. / Ph.D. | ₹30,000 |
This money is given to you every year for the entire duration of your course, as long as you keep meeting the renewal requirements.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
The total number of scholarships is divided among all eight Northeast states every year. Here is the full state-wise allocation:
| 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 |
| Sikkim | 10 | 70 | 28 | 3 | 111 |
| Tripura | 18 | 120 | 48 | 6 | 192 |
How Are Students Selected?
The selection process is simple and fair:
For Diploma, Degree, and Post Graduate students, selection is completely based on the marks you scored in your qualifying exam. There is no entrance test or interview. The higher your percentage, the better your chances of getting selected.
For M.Phil. and Ph.D. students, selection is based on your research topic or synopsis. Your research must be directly related to the development, problems, or issues of Northeast India. Topics that are purely theoretical or have no connection to the Northeast region are usually not selected.
Documents You Will Need
Keep these documents ready before you start your application:
| Document |
|---|
| Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) |
| Income Certificate |
| Qualifying Exam Marksheets |
| Research Synopsis |
| Bank Account Passbook |
Note for Sikkim Students: Instead of a PRC, students from Sikkim must submit a Certificate of Identification (COI) issued by the Deputy Commissioner of the Government of Sikkim. Certificates from any other authority will not be accepted.
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
Follow these easy steps to apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship 2026:
Step 1: Go to the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in
Step 2: On the homepage, scroll down and find the Important Web Links section.
Step 3: Click on the Online Application Form link.
Step 4: On the new page, click New Registration.
Step 5: Fill in your personal details carefully and complete your registration.
Step 6: Log in with your new credentials, fill in the full application form, and upload all required documents.
Step 7: Click Submit and take a printout of your application for your records.
Make sure all your details match exactly with your official documents. Even a small mismatch can get your application rejected.
Important Dates
| Start Date of Online Application | To Be Announced |
| Last Date to Apply Online | To Be Announced |
| Last Date for Defective Verification | To Be Announced |
| Last Date for Institute Verification | To Be Announced |
Keep visiting the official NSP website regularly so you do not miss any important deadlines.
Useful Web-Links of NEC Merit Scholarship
| Online Application Form | Click Here (Link will be activated Soon) |
| One-Time Registration | Register | Login |
| Full Notification | Guideline | FAQ |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible for the NEC Merit Scholarship 2026? Any student who is a permanent resident of a Northeast state, has scored at least 60% in their last qualifying exam, and whose family income is below ₹8 lakh per year can apply.
Q2. Can I apply if I am already receiving another scholarship? No. If you are already getting money from any other scholarship or financial aid scheme, you are not allowed to apply for this scholarship.
Q3. What is the highest amount I can receive? M.Phil. and Ph.D. students receive the highest amount — ₹30,000 per year.
Q4. Is there any entrance test or interview for selection? No. For Diploma, Degree, and PG level students, selection is purely based on marks. Only for M.Phil. and Ph.D. students is a research synopsis evaluated.
Q5. Can I apply in the second year of my course? No. You can only submit a fresh application in your first year. After that, you can only apply for renewal each year.
Q6. Where do I apply for this scholarship? You apply online at the official National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in
Q7. Will this scholarship cover internships or practical training? No. The scholarship does not cover internships or any practical training programmes.
Q8. For how many years will I receive the scholarship? You will receive the scholarship for the full prescribed duration of your course, provided you meet the renewal conditions every year.
Q9. How is the scholarship money sent to me? The money is transferred directly to your bank account, which is why you need to provide your bank account details during the application.
Q10. Which states are covered under the NEC Merit Scholarship? The scholarship covers all eight Northeast states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.