Financial Support To The Students Of N.E.R For Higher Professional Courses (NEC Merit Scholarship)
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern Region
Department: null
Category: Education & Learning
Beneficiary Type: null

The scholarship scheme aims to support students of the North Eastern States undergoing studies in different disciplines at different levels in Institutions inside as well as outside the North-East but within the country.

Benefits:
> **Rates of Scholarships** (₹ per annum) for fresh and renewal cases (existing students):

> The present rate of scholarship for related Subjects/Courses at different levels is as under:

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

> The number of Fresh Scholarships to be awarded every year to candidates of different NER states at different levels may be as given below - 

- State: Arunachal Pradesh; Diploma: 20; Degree: 130; PG Degree: 52; M.Phil / PhD: 7; Total: 209
- State: Assam; Diploma: 30; Degree: 200; PG Degree: 80; M.Phil / PhD: 10; Total: 320
- State: Manipur; Diploma: 18; Degree: 120; PG Degree: 48; M.Phil / PhD: 6; Total: 192
- State: Meghalaya; Diploma: 18; Degree: 120; PG Degree: 48; M.Phil / PhD: 6; Total: 192
- State: Mizoram; Diploma: 18; Degree: 120; PG Degree: 48; M.Phil / PhD: 6; Total: 192
- State: Nagaland; Diploma: 18; Degree: 120; PG Degree: 48; M.Phil / PhD: 6; Total: 192
- State: Tripura; Diploma: 18; Degree: 120; PG Degree: 48; M.Phil / PhD: 6; Total: 192
- State: Sikkim; Diploma: 10; Degree: 70; PG Degree: 28; M.Phil / PhD: 3; Total: 111
- TOTAL: Diploma: 150; Degree: 1000; PG Degree: 400; M.Phil / PhD: 50; Total: 1600

The above numbers are fixed as per the normative allocation accepted for the respective NE States. The number of scholarships for the renewal cases shall be as per actual for different NE states, and the scholarship amount as per the accepted rates as mentioned above shall be utilised both for the fresh candidates and renewal cases (existing students selected for the NEC Scholarship).
> **Notes** 

1. The various courses of studies at different levels for which NEC&#39;s financial assistance is admissible would be those as decided by the NEC from time to time, keeping in view the requirements of specialised manpower of the North Eastern Region.
1. NEC may increase or decrease the total number of scholarships, subject to the availability of funds/allocation of budget from time to time. However, the numbers would be fixed as per the normative allocation accepted for different NE states.
1. Students selected for the grant ofthe  NEC Scholarship will be entitled to receive the same from the date of admission/date of commencement (Date of registration in case of M.Phil / Ph.D.) whichever is later till completion of the course, subject to maximum period as prescribed in Para 3.3 above.
1. In case of doubt/clarification regarding the above rules, the matter shall be referred to: Director (HRD&amp;E), North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong - 793003, Contact No. 03642522674.

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Eligibility:
1. The applicant must be a permanent resident of any of the North-Eastern States.
1. The applicant must be admitted in Diploma, Degree, Post-graduate or registered in M.Phil. / PhD courses of any institute recognized by the Government.
1. The total annual income of the applicant&#39;s parents/guardian (from all sources) shall not exceed ₹8,00,000/-.
1. The applicant must fulfill the following eligibility criteria in the previous qualifying examination:

- Level: Diploma; Qualifying Examination: HSLC / HSSLC / Secondary School Leaving / Senior Secondary Leaving certificate examination from a recognized State/Central board with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate.
- Level: Degree; Qualifying Examination: HSSLC/Senior Secondary Leaving certificate examination from a recognized State/Central board with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate.
- Level: Post Graduate; Qualifying Examination: Degree level examination in any discipline (BA / BSc / BE / BTech / MBBS / LLB / BCA / BBA etc.) of any recognized Institute/ University with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate.
- Level: M.Phil. / Ph.D.; Qualifying Examination: PG degree from any recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate.

> **Notes:**

1. In case of a tie, preference shall be given to the candidate having a lesser family income.
1. There will not be any reservation/quota on the basis of category/religion/gender.
1. At the time of availing of the scholarship, the applicant must not be in receipt of any other scholarship/financial assistance from any other source.
1. Once selected, the scholarship shall be available to a selected student for the prescribed duration of a course subject to fulfillment of renewal conditions.
1. Extension of scholarship beyond the prescribed period of study will not be entertained.
1. Students enrolled in the integrated courses will be entitled to receive the scholarship for the full duration of the course as per the admissible rates.
1. The scholarship for M.Phil. will be available for 2 years and for the Ph.D. scholarship shall be for 3 years.

> **SELECTION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND DISBURSAL:**

1. The merit lists will be drawn from among finally verified applications as per the scheme guidelines and after following the laid down procedure on the NSP.
1. Selection of students for M. Phil and Ph. D. will be made on the basis of the topic of research/Synopsis which has relevance to the problems/issues related to the NE Region. The Subjects/topics for M.Phil and Ph.D. should invariably be directly, specifically, and currently relevant to NE Region. Basic and theoretical research shall not be favored in general.
1. The scholarship is purely on a merit basis. The merit list will be prepared exclusively on the basis of marks obtained by the candidate in the qualifying exams and complying with the level-of-course-wise slots allotted to the states.
1. In case the allotted quota remains unfilled for want of eligible candidates, the same may be distributed to remaining eligible students from the other NE States, as per their inte-rse merit list.
1. The scholarships will be disbursed to selected students by NEC directly in their provided and verified bank accounts using DBT mode as per the extant guidelines.

> **RENEWAL OF SCHOLARSHIP:**

1. Every renewal of the scholarship is for a period of one academic year only, if not otherwise specified. 
1. All existing and eligible beneficiaries of the scholarship are required to fill up the renewal form on NSP every year during their entire course period. 
1. The student must upload a previous exam marks sheet/pass certificate during the renewal application. In the case of students studying for M.Phil / PhD., the renewal application shall be accompanied by the latest progress report from the guide countersigned by the Registrar of the Institute.
1. To draw a scholarship under the renewal category, the beneficiary must pass in the particular year or be promoted to the next semester/year. In case the student could not pass all papers but was promoted to next year, as per extant rules, he/she may be considered for renewal of scholarships subject to the condition that no additional backlog, from previous years, is pending against his/her name. 
1. In case the student is not promoted to next year or has backlog papers pending against his/her name for more than one year, he/she shall not receive a further scholarship for the remaining course period. It will be the responsibility of the Institute level verifying officer to ensure that the student has been promoted for a year or does not have pending backlog papers for more than a year, before accepting the application on NSP for further processing. Otherwise, such applications shall be rejected on NSP after recording reasons.
1. Any break in scholarship, during the entire course period, shall make the beneficiary non-eligible for further receipt of the scholarship for that specific course. The students shall not be provided with an option to make renewal applications in subsequent years. The student may, however, apply as a fresh applicant, upon securing admission in any advanced course, at a later stage.
1. A request for renewal of students who have changed their subject of study will not be entertained for renewal if the students have availed of the scholarship for the previous course or part of it.
1. A request for renewal of scholarship of such student beneficiaries who have changed their Institution of study will not be entertained for renewal.
1. There will be no merit list generation for renewal applications.
1. Renewal scholarship will be disbursed to all eligible and duly verified applications by NEC, directly in their verified bank accounts using DBT mode as per the extant guidelines.
1. The request for renewal of scholarships of all existing applications belonging to Academic Year 2019-20 and before will be processed as per the prevailing procedure during Academic Year 2019-20, where the respective State Government will be responsible for directly disbursing scholarships in the student’s bank accounts.

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Application Process:
[Online]
New Registration:Step 1: Visit the New Registration page of the National Scholarships Portal.
Step 2: Guidelines for Registration will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read the undertaking carefully and Accept the Terms. Click “Next”.
Step 3: In the next window, enter your mobile number and OTP. Then click “Verify”.
Step 4: After successful verification, continue with e-KYC process (as applicable).
Step 5: Once completed, your reference number will be generated and the same will be sent to your registered phone number.
Process for OTR ID Number Generation:Step 1: Download and install AadhaarFaceRD services in the android device.
Step 2: Download and install the NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store.
Step 3: After opening the mobile app Select the option “eKYC with FaceAuth” highlighted in red.
Step 4: Enter the allotted reference number and click on “Send OTP” to receive OTP on your mobile no. 
Step 5: Enter the received OTP and captcha in the screen and click Next.
Step 6: Click on “Proceed for Face Authentication” button highlighted in red.
Step 7: UIDAI AadhaarFaceRD services will be invoked for face authentication. Ensure AadhaarFaceRD services are preinstalled on your device.
Step 8: On Successful completion of face-authentication OTR no. will be generated and will also be sent on your registered mobile no.
Fresh Application:Step 1: Visit the applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal Enter your One Time Registration (OTR) number and password.
Step 2: Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm.
Step 4: Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents.
Step 6: You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to submit the application.
Track Payment Status:The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal either by indicating their Aadhaar Number, Bank Account number or NSP Application ID.
NOTE 1: The National Scholarships Portal will provide the timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
NOTE 2: Online applications will be verified at two levels i.e. by the Institute, where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State Nodal Agency (both for fresh and renewal applicants).
NOTE 3: Students will not be permanently debarred for scholarships due to delay in renewal or verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will not be allowed if an applicant misses this deadline.
Standard Operating Procedures: Click here.

Documents Required:
Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) issued by the Dy. Commissioner /Addl. Dy. Commissioners/ Sub-divisional officers of civil sub-divisions in the NE States; except Sikkim where Certificate of Identification (COI) is issued by the respective Deputy Commissioner in the Govt. of Sikkim to its Permanent residents. A certificate from any other authority will not be accepted. (Mandatory)
Income Certificate issued by the Competent Authority (Mandatory)
Bank Account Pass Book – The account must be in the name of the applicant (Optional)
Details of qualifying examination (Mandatory)
Synopsis signed by the project guide / Director (Research) or any official authorized by the Institute/University in the case of M.Phil/Ph.D. candidates (Mandatory).
Any other document may be required under NSP guidelines. 
Note - 
The student must ensure that the Bank Account should be in the name of the applicant, preferably linked to her/his Aadhaar. The Bank Account should be kept operational /active till the complete tenure of the scholarship. 
NEC shall not be responsible in case the Scholarship amount is not credited due to payment failure at the Bank level.]