Government Scholarship · Class 11, Class 12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Nagaland State Merit Scholarship

Q: What are the key eligibility criteria for the Nagaland State Merit Scholarship?

To be eligible, an applicant must primarily be an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland pursuing post-matric studies in a recognized institution. Non-indigenous inhabitants permanently settled in Nagaland who secure top 10 positions in Board/University (within Nagaland) can also apply. Specific minimum academic percentages (e.g., 80% for Class 10/12 for fresh applications, 70% for Graduation for B.Ed./PG) are required for different courses and years. Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship or be employed by government/semi-government entities.

Q: How and when is the scholarship amount disbursed?

The scholarship amount, provided as financial assistance, is disbursed either on a monthly or yearly basis. Payments are made directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. It is mandatory to ensure your bank account is actively linked with your Aadhaar number (Aadhaar-seeded) to facilitate timely and successful payment. The department sends SMS alerts to beneficiaries whose accounts are not Aadhaar-seeded.

Q: What are the conditions for renewing the scholarship for subsequent years?

For renewal, a student must have been a beneficiary in the previous year, passed their last examination with the stipulated qualifying percentage (e.g., 80% for Diploma/UG, 70% for PG), and be continuing in the *same* course. If a student changes their course level after completing their previous course (e.g., from Higher Secondary to Bachelor's Degree), they must submit a fresh application rather than a renewal. Students who have failed in their last examination are not eligible to apply for renewal.

Higher Education Dept, Nagaland · Nagaland

Annual Award₹30k+

Deadline31 Oct

Scheme Name	Nagaland State Merit Scholarship
Provided By	Higher Education Dept, Nagaland
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

The Nagaland State Merit Scholarship is awarded to meritorious students of the state to encourage higher studies among indigenous tribes.

Benefits & Financial Support

₹30k+

The scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible students, disbursed either monthly or yearly. Payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts, and it is mandatory for applicants to ensure their bank accounts are linked to their Aadhaar number to avoid payment rejection. Students are advised to visit their bank branch to seed their Aadhaar with their bank account.

Merit stipend for toppers.

Note: Minimum 80% marks required. Must be an indigenous Naga student.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	Class 11, Class 12, Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Course / Stream	Relevant courses
Minimum Marks	70%
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	ST
Domicile State	Nagaland

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓Aadhaar
✓Domicile
✓ST Certificate
✓Marksheets
✓Bonafide

Selection Process

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Candidates are selected based on academic merit and fulfillment of specific eligibility criteria
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Key criteria include:being an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland, or a non-indigenous inhabitant permanently settled in Nagaland who secured top 10 positions in Board/University (within Nagaland)
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Applicants must be pursuing post-matric (above Class X) studies in a recognized institution
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Specific qualifying percentages in the last examination are required, varying by course and year of study (e.g., a minimum of 80% in Class 10 for entry into Class 11/Diploma 1st year, 80% in Class 12 for Bachelor's 1st year, and 70% at Graduation level for B.Ed. 1st year/PG 1st year)
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Additionally, applicants must not be beneficiaries of any other scholarship scheme or be employed by any government/semi-government establishment
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Students pursuing Diploma/Certificate courses with a duration of not less than two years are also eligible.

Renewal Policy

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Renewal is applicable only for previous beneficiaries who have passed their last examination with the required qualifying percentage and are continuing in the *same* course
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The qualifying percentages for renewal generally include a minimum of 80% for Diploma and undergraduate courses (2nd year onwards) and 70% for Bachelor's Degree (2nd year onwards) and Postgraduate courses (2nd year)
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Beneficiaries who change their course level (e.g., from Higher Secondary to Bachelor's Degree) must apply as a fresh applicant
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Students who have failed in their last examination are not eligible to apply for renewal.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Check Eligibility
Before applying, review the detailed eligibility criteria, including domicile requirements, academic percentages, and course specifications, on the official portal.
2
Gather Documents
Prepare all necessary documents in digital format. These typically include: attested photocopies of mark sheets and admit cards (Class 10 onwards); attested photocopy of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Indigenous certificate (if applicable); attested photocopy of admission receipt/Bonafide Certificate; attested photocopy of school/college/university Registration/Affiliation certificate; photocopy of the front page of the applicant's bank passbook (account must be in the applicant's name, or a joint account with the applicant's name first for minors); photocopy of Aadhaar card; and a recent passport-size photograph and clear signature scan. Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Visit your bank branch to complete this if necessary.
3
Register on the Portal
Visit the Common Scholarship Portal: `https://scholarship.nagaland.gov.in`. Click on 'Register' and create an account by entering your details, verifying your mobile number, and setting a password. Aadhaar authentication is mandatory and is done using DigiLocker. Ensure consent for sharing “All Documents” is selected during DigiLocker verification.
4
Fill the Application Form
Log in to your account and carefully fill out the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and bank details. Mismatched names or birth dates can lead to rejection.
5
Upload Documents
Upload the scanned copies of all required documents as specified. Ensure high quality and readability.
6
Submit Online Application
After reviewing all details, submit the online application form. Note down your application reference number for future tracking.
7
Submit Hard Copy (for students studying *within* Nagaland): Print out the online submitted form along with all required documents and submit them to your respective institution for verification by the Institutional Nodal Officer (INO).
8
Submit Hard Copy (for students studying *outside* Nagaland): Send the printout of the online submitted form and necessary documents via speed post/hand post to the Scholarship Section, Directorate of Higher Education, Below New Secretariat Complex, Nagaland, Kohima-797001, within the stipulated time.
9
Verification Process
* Level 1 (Institution): The Institutional Nodal Officer (INO) verifies online applications by comparing them with the hard copies submitted by students. * Level 2 (State/Department): Applications verified at the institution level are then scrutinised and approved by the State Nodal Officer/Department.
10
Correction of Defective Applications
If your application is marked as "Defective," rectify it online within the stipulated timeline. No corrections are permitted after the deadline.
11
Track Status
Regularly check the status of your application and payment on the Common Scholarship Portal (`https://scholarship.nagaland.gov.in`) using your application reference number.

Common Questions (FAQs)

What are the key eligibility criteria for the Nagaland State Merit Scholarship?

To be eligible, an applicant must primarily be an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland pursuing post-matric studies in a recognized institution. Non-indigenous inhabitants permanently settled in Nagaland who secure top 10 positions in Board/University (within Nagaland) can also apply. Specific minimum academic percentages (e.g., 80% for Class 10/12 for fresh applications, 70% for Graduation for B.Ed./PG) are required for different courses and years. Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship or be employed by government/semi-government entities.

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Higher Education Dept, Nagaland website before final submission.