He studied philosophy at Christ the King College, Shillong, and theology from Papal Seminary, Pune.

He holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome.

[1][3][5][6] Bishop Neli was ordained a priest on 20 December 1984, for the Archdiocese of Imphal.

[1][5][6] On 7 October 2023, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Dominic Lumon and appointed Linus Neli as the new archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal.

He was Ordained Bishop on 8 December 2023 by Dominic Lumon.