The NEC Merit Scholarship for Higher Professional Courses is a financial assistance scheme provided by the North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region. It is aimed at supporting students from the North Eastern States (NE States) of India who are pursuing higher education in diploma, degree, postgraduate, M.Phil., or Ph.D. courses. This scholarship is available to students studying in any recognized institution across India, both inside and outside the North-East.
The scholarship is disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and it helps students who meet the eligibility criteria, including the income limit and academic requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for NEC Merit Scholarship
To be eligible for the NEC Merit Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
Permanent Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents of any of the North Eastern States.
Academic Requirements:
- Diploma: Passed HSLC / HSSLC or equivalent with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Degree: Completed Senior Secondary/12th with at least 60% marks.
- Postgraduate: Must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks.
- M.Phil./Ph.D.: Must have a Master’s degree with at least 60% marks.
Income Limit: The annual family income of the applicant’s parent/guardian should not exceed Rs. 8,00,000.
No Other Scholarships: Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance.
Benefits NEC Merit Scholarship
The scholarship amounts vary depending on the level of study:
- Diploma: Rs. 20,000 per year
- Degree: Rs. 22,000 per year
- Postgraduate: Rs. 25,000 per year
- M.Phil./Ph.D.: Rs. 30,000 per year
The number of scholarships available for each state is fixed, and a total of 1,600 scholarships are granted annually. For example:
- Assam: 320 scholarships
- Arunachal Pradesh: 209 scholarships
- Manipur: 192 scholarships
- Meghalaya: 192 scholarships
- Mizoram: 192 scholarships
- Nagaland: 192 scholarships
- Tripura: 192 scholarships
- Sikkim: 111 scholarships
How to Apply for the NEC Merit Scholarship
The application process is online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Here’s how to apply:
Registration:
- Visit the NSP website (www.scholarships.gov.in).
- Click on “New Registration” and fill in the required details.
- After registration, you will receive an Application ID and password.
Log in and Fill the Application:
- Log in with your Application ID and password.
- Fill in the required application form and upload necessary documents (such as PRC, Income Certificate, Bank Account details, and Qualification Details).
Submit Application:
Save the form as a draft or click “Final Submit” to complete your application.
Documents Required for the NEC Merit Scholarship
- Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC): Issued by the competent authorities in NE states.
- Income Certificate: Issued by the appropriate authority.
- Bank Account Passbook: Preferably linked to Aadhaar.
- Academic Qualifications: Marksheet or pass certificate of the qualifying exam.
- M.Phil./Ph.D. Candidates: A research synopsis signed by the guide.
Renewal of Scholarship
Renewal Process: To renew the scholarship every year, students must fill the renewal form on the NSP portal. They need to upload the marksheet of the previous year and the progress report (for M.Phil./Ph.D. students).
Conditions for Renewal: Students must have passed the previous year or be promoted to the next year without any backlog.
Important Notes
- No Change in Subject or Institution: If a student changes their subject or institution, they will not be eligible for scholarship renewal.
- Scholarship for Integrated Courses: Students enrolled in integrated courses will receive the scholarship for the full duration of the course.
- M.Phil./Ph.D. Duration: Scholarships are available for 2 years for M.Phil. and 3 years for Ph.D.
- Click Here: Download Guidelines
- Website: https://scholarships.gov.in/
NEC Merit Scholarship for Higher Professional Courses – FAQs
1. Is there any reservation or quota under the scheme? No, the scholarship is purely merit-based, with no reservations based on category, religion, or gender.
2. Is there an income limit for eligibility? Yes, the annual income of the applicant’s parent/guardian should not exceed Rs. 8,00,000.
3. Can I apply if my M.Phil./Ph.D. research topic is not finalized? You can apply, but your research topic must be relevant to the issues of the North Eastern Region.
4. Will I automatically receive the scholarship for subsequent years? No, students must renew the scholarship every year by fulfilling the renewal conditions.<
5. Can students working full-time or on an internship apply for the scholarship? No, students under full employment or on internships are not eligible for the scholarship.
Conclusion
The NEC Merit Scholarship is a valuable financial aid opportunity for students from the North Eastern States to pursue higher education. By meeting the eligibility criteria and following the application process, students can receive crucial financial support for their studies.
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