NEC Merit Scholarship 2024: Online Application, Eligibility and Benefits

The North Eastern Council (NEC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, has announced the NEC Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2024-25. This scholarship aims to support meritorious students from the North East (NE) pursuing higher education across various disciplines at institutions within and outside the NE region but within India.

NEC Merit Scholarship 2024: Overview

Scholarship Name	NEC Merit Scholarship
Academic Year	2024-2025
Authority	North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, Shillong
Number of Scholarships	1600
Application Mode	Online
Official Website	https://scholarships.gov.in

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Eligibility Criteria for NEC Merit Scholarship 2024

To ensure the scholarship reaches deserving candidates, certain criteria are specified:

1. Residency Requirement: Only permanent residents of any North Eastern state in India are eligible.
2. Duration: Scholarships are valid for the course’s entire duration, provided the renewal conditions are met each year. Extensions are not permitted beyond the prescribed course duration.
3. No Additional Scholarships: Students should not be receiving financial assistance or scholarships from any other source.
4. Course Level: Eligible students must be enrolled in Diploma, Degree, Postgraduate, M.Phil., or Ph.D. courses at recognized institutions within India. Internships and practical training courses are excluded.
5. Family Income: The annual income of the student’s parents or guardians should not exceed INR 8 lakh. A valid income certificate issued by the competent authority must be provided.

Educational Qualification:

A minimum score of 60% in the qualifying examination is required for eligibility:

• Diploma: Passed HSLC/HSSLC or equivalent with 60% aggregate.
• Degree: Passed Senior Secondary level with 60% aggregate.
• Postgraduate: Graduated with 60% aggregate in any undergraduate discipline.
• M.Phil./Ph.D.: Completed a postgraduate degree with 60% aggregate.

Scholarship Amount by Level of Study

The NEC Merit Scholarship offers financial assistance based on the level of study, ensuring that students from Diploma to Ph.D. programs receive appropriate support.

Level of Study	Annual Scholarship Amount
Diploma	INR 20,000
Degree	INR 22,000
Postgraduate	INR 25,000
M.Phil./Ph.D.	INR 30,000

Allocation of NEC Merit Scholarships by State

To ensure an equitable distribution across the North Eastern states, scholarships are allocated as follows:

State	Diploma	Degree	PG Degree	M.Phil / PhD	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

Selection Process for NEC Merit Scholarship

The selection process is based on merit and follows a transparent and structured approach:

Merit-Based Selection: A merit list is prepared, considering marks from qualifying exams for each level of study.

M.Phil./Ph.D. Selection: Research topics must relate to North East India’s issues or challenges to qualify for the scholarship.

Renewal of Scholarship

Scholarship renewals are granted for one academic year at a time. Eligible students must fill out the renewal form on the NSP portal each year during their course. For renewal, students must upload their previous exam marks or pass certificate. M.Phil. and Ph.D. students must also provide a progress report from their guide, signed by the Institute’s Registrar.

To qualify for renewal, students need to pass their current year or advance to the next semester/year without any additional backlog. Students with a backlog exceeding one year are not eligible for renewal. The verifying officer must confirm that the student has progressed without unresolved backlogs before approving the application.

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If a student fails to renew in any academic year, they are ineligible for future renewals in that course. Changing institutions or subjects will also disqualify a student from renewal. Renewals don’t require a merit list, and scholarships are disbursed directly to verified bank accounts. For applications from the 2019-20 academic year and earlier, scholarships are processed by the State Government.

Important Dates for NEC Merit Scholarship Application 2024

• Application Start Date: 25th July 2024
• Application Last Date: 31st October 2024
• Defective Verification Last Date: 15th November 2024
• Institute Verification Last Date: 15th November 2024

Documents Required for NEC Merit Scholarship

Applicants should have the following documents ready for submission:

1. Permanent Residency Certificate (PRC): Issued by authorized officials in the NE states.
2. Income Certificate: Provided by the competent authority.
3. Bank Account Details: Passbook of the applicant’s bank account.
4. Academic Qualification Certificates: Relevant certificates depending on the course level.
5. Research Synopsis: For M.Phil. and Ph.D. applicants, a signed synopsis from the research guide.

How to Apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship 2024

To apply, follow these steps on the National Scholarship Portal:

1. Access the Portal: Visit National Scholarship Portal.
2. Register: Complete a one-time registration if applying for the first time.
3. Submit Application: Fill in all required details, upload necessary documents, and submit.
4. Take a Printout: After submission, print a copy for future reference.

Contact for Query

For assistance with the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), call the helpline at 0120-6619540 or email helpdesk@nsp.gov.in. The support team can guide you on applications, eligibility, and status updates.

FAQs