🎓 Scholarship Quotas for CEE Students (Category-Wise Guide) 2026
Complete guide to CEE scholarship quotas for women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi, Tharu students. Reservation eligibility, percentage breakdown, and application process.
📌 Understanding CEE Scholarship Quotas
According to the National Medical Education Act, 2075, public/government colleges in Nepal must provide scholarships in at least 75% of total undergraduate seats. Within these 75% scholarship seats, 55% are for the General (Open) Category and 45% are reserved for specific social groups to promote inclusion and equal opportunity.
This guide explains each reserved category in detail, including eligibility criteria, percentage allocation, and document requirements.
📊 Scholarship Distribution Overview
| Category | Percentage of Scholarship Seats | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General (Open) Category | 55% | Anyone can compete on merit. No category certificate required. |
| Reserved Category Total | 45% | For specific social groups with sub-categories below. |
👥 Detailed Reserved Category Breakdown (45% of Scholarship Seats)
👩 Women Category
🎯 Target Group: Female candidates from any background. This category also includes allocation for Dalit women and Muslim women as sub-quotas within this 33%.
✅ Eligibility: Female candidate who has passed CEE. No additional certificate required beyond gender identification in application.
📝 Documents Required: Citizenship certificate showing gender (Female).
🟣 Dalit Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates belonging to Dalit communities as recognized by the Government of Nepal.
✅ Eligibility: Must have Dalit category certificate issued by the relevant government authority. Additionally, candidates must have studied in government/community schools from Grade 6 to 10 (some colleges require this for reserved quotas in government colleges).
📝 Documents Required: Dalit certificate from Ward Office or Local Government, Grade 6-10 government school proof.
🟠 Indigenous Nationalities (Adivasi Janajati)
🎯 Target Group: Candidates belonging to Indigenous Nationalities (Adivasi Janajati) as per the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN) list.
✅ Eligibility: Must have Janajati category certificate. Some colleges require government school background (Grade 6-10) for reserved quota eligibility in government colleges.
📝 Documents Required: Janajati certificate from recognized body, citizenship certificate.
🔵 Khas Arya Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates from Khas Arya communities (including Bahun, Chhetri, Thakuri, Sanyasi/Dasnami).
✅ Eligibility: Must meet poverty criteria or specific conditions defined by MEC. Khas Arya candidates applying under reserved quota typically need income certificate showing financial disadvantage.
📝 Documents Required: Income certificate, residence certificate, category certificate if applicable.
🌸 Madhesi Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates from Madhesi communities (includes 3% sub-quota for Madhesi Dalit).
✅ Eligibility: Must have Madhesi category certificate. For Madhesi Dalit sub-category, additional Dalit certificate required.
📝 Documents Required: Madhesi certificate, citizenship certificate.
🟣 Tharu Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates belonging to Tharu communities.
✅ Eligibility: Must have Tharu category certificate issued by relevant authority.
📝 Documents Required: Tharu certificate, citizenship certificate.
🕌 Muslim Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates from Muslim communities.
✅ Eligibility: Must have Muslim category certificate or self-declaration.
📝 Documents Required: Muslim certificate from Ward Office, citizenship certificate.
🏔️ Backward Areas Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates who have passed Grades 6-10 from government schools located in any of the 9 backward districts of Nepal.
✅ Eligible Districts: Achham, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Jumla, Dolpa, Bajhang, Bajura, Mugu, Humla.
📝 Documents Required: Certificate from school proving government school attendance from Grades 6-10, district domicile certificate.
♿ Persons with Disabilities Category
🎯 Target Group: Candidates with physical or mental disabilities (minimum 40% disability as per government categorization).
✅ Eligibility: Must have disability certificate from authorized medical board or government body.
📝 Documents Required: Disability certificate (with percentage of disability), medical report.
🕊️ Martyr/Missing Family/Conflict Victims Category
🎯 Target Group: Family members of martyrs, missing persons, or conflict victims recognized by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or government.
✅ Eligibility: Must have certificate of recognition from relevant government authority.
📝 Documents Required: Martyr/Conflict victim certificate, relationship proof.
💡 Note: The percentages shown are for the 45% reserved quota within the 75% scholarship seats in public/government colleges. The total scholarship seats for MBBS are 452, and these percentages apply to those seats.
📋 Summary Table: Category-Wise Reservation Quotas
| S.No. | Reserved Category | Percentage (within 45% reserved) | Approx Seats (out of 452 MBBS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Women (including Dalit & Muslim women) | 33% | ~67 seats |
| 2 | Dalit | 9% | ~18 seats |
| 3 | Indigenous Nationalities (Adivasi Janajati) | 15% | ~31 seats |
| 4 | Khas Arya | 17% | ~35 seats |
| 5 | Madhesi (including 3% for Madhesi Dalit) | 12% | ~24 seats |
| 6 | Tharu | 4% | ~8 seats |
| 7 | Muslim | 2% | ~4 seats |
| 8 | Backward Areas (9 districts) | 4% | ~8 seats |
| 9 | Persons with Disabilities | 2% | ~4 seats |
| 10 | Martyr/Missing Family/Conflict Victims | 2% | ~4 seats |
| Total Reserved (within 45%) | 100% | ~203 seats | |
⚠️ Critical Condition for Reserved Quota Applicants
❗ Important: To apply under reserved quotas in government colleges, candidates must have passed Grades 6 to 10 from a government (community) school. Students who studied in private schools from Grade 6-10 can only apply under the General Category in government colleges, even if they belong to a reserved group.
However, for private colleges, this condition does not apply — students from any school can apply under reserved quotas.
✅ Documents Required to Prove Government School Attendance:
- School leaving certificate or character certificate from the government school
- Official transcript from Grade 6-10 showing school name
- Certificate from the school confirming government/community school status
📝 How to Apply for Scholarship Quotas
No separate application is required for MEC scholarships. The scholarship is automatically awarded based on your CEE rank and category eligibility. Follow these steps:
- Register for CEE: Fill online application at entrance.mec.gov.np
- Select Your Category: During application, choose the category you belong to (Women, Dalit, Janajati, etc.)
- Upload Category Certificate: Upload scanned copies of your category certificates (Dalit certificate, Janajati certificate, disability certificate, etc.)
- For Backward Areas: Upload Grade 6-10 government school proof and district domicile
- Appear for CEE Exam: Your category selection is linked to your roll number
- Merit List: Separate merit lists are prepared for each reserved category
- Counseling & Matching: Based on your rank within your category, seats are allocated through open house matching
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply under multiple reserved categories?
A: Yes, if you belong to multiple categories (e.g., Dalit woman), you can apply. However, you will be considered in the category where you have the highest rank advantage.
Q: Is there a separate exam for reserved category students?
A: No. All candidates take the same CEE exam. Separate merit lists are prepared for each category.
Q: Are reserved category seats in private colleges?
A: Yes. Private colleges also have reserved quotas as per MEC regulations. However, the government school condition (Grade 6-10) is only for government colleges.
Q: What is the cutoff rank for reserved categories?
A: Cutoff ranks vary each year based on the number of applicants and available seats. Generally, reserved categories have lower cutoff ranks compared to the general category.
Q: Can I switch to general category if I don't get reserved seat?
A: Yes. You can opt for general category seats if you are not allocated a reserved seat based on your rank.
📚 How to Obtain Category Certificates
| Category | Issuing Authority | Required Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Dalit / Janajati / Tharu / Madhesi / Muslim | Ward Office or Local Government (Rural Municipality/Municipality) | Citizenship, recommendation letter from local representatives |
| Disability Certificate | Authorized Government Hospital or Medical Board | Medical examination report, citizenship |
| Backward Area | School (for Grade 6-10 proof) + Local Government | School transcripts, residence certificate from the district |
| Conflict Victim/Martyr Family | District Administration Office or Truth Commission | Recognition certificate, relationship proof |
🔗 Official Resources
Medical Education Commission (MEC) Nepal
Official Website: https://mec.gov.np | Entrance Portal: https://entrance.mec.gov.np
Scholarship Quota Regulations (National Medical Education Act, 2075)
https://mec.gov.np/np/page/national-medical-education-act-2075
Category Certificate Information
Collegenp - CEE Scholarship Quotas