The National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), launched in 2008, is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections. Its primary goal is to reduce dropout rates at the secondary level by supporting students from Class IX to XII. In this article, we will provide the scholarship's overview, important dates, eligibility, selection process and application process. Read the article till the end to know complete details about NMMS 2025-26 scholarship.
Table of Contents
Overview of the NMMSS Scholarship
The NMMS scheme is approved for continuation from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budget of ₹1,827 crores. The scholarship awards 100,000 fresh scholarships annually to students entering Class 9 in government, government-aided, or local body schools across India.
- Purpose: Support meritorious students from low-income families to prevent dropouts at the secondary stage.
- Coverage: Renewable for up to four years (Classes IX to XII).
- Scholarship Amount: ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month).
- State Quotas: Each State/UT has a fixed allocation based on 66.67% weightage to Class VII and VIII enrolment and 33.33% to child population (e.g., 15,143 for Uttar Pradesh, 7,250 for West Bengal—see table below).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Scholarships | 1,00,000 fresh scholarships awarded annually |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) |
| Duration | From Class IX to XII (maximum 4 years) |
| Mode of Selection | Exams: MAT and SAT |
| Mode of Disbursement | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via SBI & PFMS |
| Implemented By | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Official Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
Eligibility Criteria for NMMS 2025-26
Who Can Apply?
- Class Level: You must be studying in Class 8 to apply. The scholarship starts from Class 9.
- Academic Requirement:
- Minimum 55% marks in Class 7 to appear for the exam (50% for SC/ST).
- Minimum 55% in Class 8 to receive the scholarship (50% for SC/ST).
- Income Limit: Your parental income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per year. You’ll need an income certificate (mandatory) from a competent authority (e.g., Joint BDO, Executive Officer, or Group A officer).
- School Type: You must be a regular student in:
- Government schools.
- Government-aided schools.
- Local body schools (e.g., municipal schools or Madrasahs without residential facilities).
- Exclusions: Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), fully residential government schools, or private schools are not eligible.
Renewal Eligibility
To keep the scholarship from Class 9 to 12:
- Score at least 60% marks in Class X (55% for SC/ST students).
- Secure clear promotion from Class IX to X and Class XI to XII in the first attempt.
- Maintain good conduct and regular attendance, certified by the Head of the Institution.
- Study full-time in approved courses at eligible schools.
Note: Scholarships are discontinued if there’s a gap of one academic session or if the student fails to renew on time.
Selection Process
Selection is done through a State-level examination conducted by each State/UT. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: State-Level Examination (Held in Class 8)
Each state/UT conducts this exam, usually around November–December.
Exam Pattern:
| Test | Details |
|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test | 90 MCQs; reasoning, analogies, series, etc. |
| Scholastic Aptitude | 90 MCQs; Class 7–8 Science, Maths, Social Science |
Duration: 90 minutes per paper (extra time for students with disabilities)
Passing Criteria:
- General: 40% in MAT + SAT combined
- SC/ST: 32% in MAT + SAT combined
Step 2: Verification
- After passing the exam, your Class 8 marks and income eligibility are checked.
- State quotas determine the final awardees (e.g., 2,411 scholarships for Assam, 5,433 for Bihar).
Step 3: Scholarship Award
- Selected students apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for funds to be sanctioned and disbursed.
Pro Tip: Practice past papers for MAT and revise NCERT books for SAT to boost your chances!
Application Process
Ready to apply? Follow these simple steps:
- Register for the Exam:
- Contact your school or visit your state’s SCERT website (e.g., West Bengal: wbsed.gov.in) to register (likely opens mid-2025).
- Exam fee: ₹100 per student (reimbursed by the scheme).
- Take the Exam:
- Appear for MAT and SAT (tentatively November/December 2025).
- Apply on NSP:
- If selected, visit the National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in.
- Register with Aadhaar/Enrolment ID, upload documents (income certificate, mark sheets, bank details).
- Window: 02 June 2025 to 31 August 2025.
- Verification & Disbursement:
- States verify, Ministry sanctions, and funds reach your bank via DBT.
Note: Open a bank account in SBI or any public sector/scheduled bank with core banking facilities.
Important Dates for NMMSS 2025-26
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 02-06-2025 |
| Application Deadline | 31-08-2025 |
| Defective Application Verification | 15-09-2025 |
| Institute Verification | 15-09-2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification | 30-09-2025 |
| Exam Date | Nov–Dec 2025 (State-wise) |
| Result Declaration | March-April 2026 (tentative) |
Past Year Trends:
- 2024: Applications opened in August 2024, with the exam held in December 2024 and results announced in March 2025.
- 2023: Applications began in August 2023, exams were conducted in December 2023, and results were declared in March 2024.
- 2022: Similar timeline with applications in August 2022, exam in January 2023, and results by March 2023.
(Dates vary by state, check with your State Education Board for exact deadlines.)
State-Wise Scholarship Allocation
| S.No. | State/UT | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 4,087 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | 122 |
| 3 | Assam | 2,411 |
| 4 | Bihar | 5,433 |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | 2,246 |
| 6 | Goa | 144 |
| 7 | Gujarat | 5,097 |
| 8 | Haryana | 2,337 |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | 832 |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir | 1,091 |
| 11 | Jharkhand | 1,959 |
| 12 | Karnataka | 5,534 |
| 13 | Kerala | 3,473 |
| 14 | Madhya Pradesh | 6,446 |
| 15 | Maharashtra | 11,682 |
| 16 | Man218 | 255 |
| 17 | Meghalaya | 231 |
| 18 | Mizoram | 103 |
| 19 | Nagaland | 180 |
| 20 | Odisha | 3,314 |
| 21 | Punjab | 2,210 |
| 22 | Rajasthan | 5,471 |
| 23 | Sikkim | 58 |
| 24 | Tamil Nadu | 6,695 |
| 25 | Telangana | 2,921 |
| 26 | Tripura | 351 |
| 27 | Uttar Pradesh | 15,143 |
| 28 | Uttarakhand | 1,048 |
| 29 | West Bengal | 7,250 |
| 30 | A&N Islands | 42 |
| 31 | Chandigarh | 85 |
| 32 | D&N Haveli | 22 |
| 33 | Daman & Diu | 16 |
| 34 | Delhi | 1,576 |
| 35 | Lakshadweep | 10 |
| 36 | Puducherry | 125 |
| Total | 100,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the NMMSS Scholarship?
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is a government program that gives ₹12,000 per year to talented Class 9 students from low-income families. It helps them study through Classes 9-12 without financial stress, with 1,00,000 scholarships awarded annually.
2. Can students of private schools apply for NMMSS?
No, only students from Government, Government-aided, and Local body schools are eligible.
3. What happens if I miss the renewal process?
Failure to renew within the given time leads to discontinuation of the scholarship.
4. How will I know if I am selected?
Results will be published on the State Education Board’s website & NSP Portal.
5. Do I need to apply twice for NMMSS?
Yes, sort of! First, you register for the NMMSS exam through your school or state SCERT. If you pass the exam, you apply again on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to claim the scholarship. It’s two steps, not two scholarships!
6. Can I apply if my parents earn more than ₹3,50,000?
No, the income limit is strict at ₹3,50,000 per year from all sources. You’ll need an official income certificate to prove eligibility.
7. What documents do I need?
For the exam, you need Class 7 marks and income proof (check with your school). For NSP, you’ll need:
Income certificate (≤ ₹3,50,000/year).
Class 7 and 8 mark sheets.
Bank account details.
Aadhaar or Enrolment ID.
Why NMMSS Matters for You
The NMMSS 2025-26 scholarship is more than just ₹12,000 a year—it’s a lifeline to pursue your education without financial strain. Whether you’re in Maharashtra (11,682 scholarships) or Tamil Nadu (6,695 scholarships), this scheme rewards your talent and determination.
Got questions? Leave them in the comments or explore our upcoming posts on NMMSS exam prep and renewal tips. Make 2025 your year to shine!