National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
by Ministry of Education, Government of India
₹12,000 Annual Scholarship
1,00,000 participants
NMMSS offers ₹12,000 annually to meritorious students from economically weaker sections in India, supporting their education from Class 9 to 12 in government and aided schools.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Registration fee applies
Participation format
Individual
Duration
4 years (Class 9 to 12)
Time needed
Two 90-minute tests (MAT and SAT)
Eligibility
This scholarship is open to meritorious Indian students from economically weaker sections. Applicants must be studying in Class 8 in a Government, Government-aided, or local body school. The parental income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum.
- Grade level
- Grade 8
- Age range
- 13 to 14 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- To appear for the selection test, students must have a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade in their Class 7 examination (5% relaxation for SC/ST students). For the scholarship award, students must score at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in their Class 8 examination (5% relaxation for SC/ST students). For continuation of the scholarship, awardees must secure a minimum of 60% marks in Class 10 (5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates) and ensure clear promotion from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt.
- Prerequisites
- Minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade in Class 7 examination (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).
- Parental income from all sources not more than ₹3,50,000 per annum.
- Must be promoted from Class 8 to Class 9 to start receiving the scholarship.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹12,000
A scholarship amount of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) is directly transferred to the student's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and State Bank of India (SBI). The amount is typically disbursed annually.
Opens doors to
The NMMSS scholarship encourages students to pursue higher education by alleviating financial burdens during crucial schooling years. This support enables them to focus on academic excellence, making them more competitive for admissions to colleges and universities across India.
Career pathways
Completing secondary and higher secondary education with financial support significantly improves career prospects, opening doors to various vocational training, diploma courses, and undergraduate degrees. It helps students from economically weaker sections to break cycles of poverty and achieve better employment opportunities.
Recognition
National Academic Recognition
What it covers
- Financial assistance for tuition fees and other educational expenses.
- Support for purchasing study materials, uniforms, and other necessities.
- Aims to cover costs that might otherwise lead to school dropouts.
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 1 Jun 2026
- Registration closed
- 31 Aug 2026
- Dates
- 15 Nov 2026
Various location
How to apply
- 1State-Level Examination:** Each State/UT conducts its own selection test for students in Class 8, typically in November/December. Students must register for this exam through their respective schools or state SCERT websites.
- 2Online Application on National Scholarship Portal (NSP):** Students who qualify in the state-level selection test must register and apply online on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in to receive the scholarship amount. This step involves filling out the application form with personal, academic, and bank details.
- 3Scholarship Disbursement:** Upon successful verification, the scholarship amount is disbursed directly into the student's bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
Rules and guidelines
- Students must pass both the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with at least 40% marks in aggregate (32% for SC/ST students).
- For continuation of scholarship, awardees must secure a minimum of 60% marks in Class 10 (5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates) and ensure clear promotion from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt.
- A student can avail only one scholarship under any Central Government Scholarship scheme.
- Scholarship once discontinued due to non-fulfillment of renewal criteria cannot be revived.
Technology requirements
- Access to the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for online application and annual renewal.
- A valid bank account (preferably with State Bank of India or any public sector/scheduled bank with core banking facility) for direct benefit transfer of scholarship funds.
- Internet access and a device (computer/smartphone) for online application and tracking.
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The application process for the scholarship itself is free of cost. However, individual States/UTs may charge a nominal examination fee for the State-Level Examination, which is usually reimbursed by the scheme. Students should check with their respective state education boards for exact examination fee details. For example, Delhi does not charge an examination fee for the NMMS exam.
Refund policy
Scholarship once discontinued due to non-fulfillment of renewal criteria or other rules cannot be revived or refunded.
About this opportunity
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is a vital Central Sector Scheme launched in 2008 by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its core objective is to provide substantial financial assistance to talented students from economically weaker sections, thereby preventing school dropouts after Class 8 and encouraging them to pursue and complete their secondary and higher secondary education.
Each year, 100,000 new scholarships are awarded to eligible Class 9 students. These scholarships are renewable annually, supporting students through Class 10, 11, and 12, provided they maintain academic performance and continue their studies in State Government, Government-aided, or Local Body schools across India.
The scheme aims to empower students by alleviating financial burdens, fostering academic excellence, and promoting competitive skills, ultimately contributing to a more educated and skilled future generation.
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
The selection examination consists of two papers: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The MAT assesses reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities through topics like analogy, classification, numerical series, and pattern perception. The SAT covers subjects like Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Studies (History, Geography, Civics, Economics), and Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Data Handling) based on the Class 7 and 8 syllabi of recognized education boards.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key factors that determine selection for this scholarship?
Selection depends primarily on strong performance in the state-level NMMSS examination, which includes both the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Additionally, students must meet the academic criteria of having a minimum of 55% marks in Class 7 (with relaxation for SC/ST) and fulfill the parental income ceiling. Merit within the state's quota is a crucial consideration for all applicants.
How can applicants optimize their chances of receiving the NMMSS scholarship?
To optimize chances, students should focus on comprehensive preparation for both the MAT and SAT exams, covering the Class 7 and 8 syllabus thoroughly. Maintaining good academic standing in Class 7 and 8 is essential. It is also critical to ensure all required documents are accurately prepared and submitted by the specified deadlines, both for the state exam and the subsequent NSP application.
What happens after a student is selected for the NMMSS scholarship?
After selection in the state-level exam, students must apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to initiate the scholarship disbursement process. The scholarship amount of ₹12,000 per annum is disbursed directly into the student's bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Students must also meet renewal criteria, including maintaining academic performance and annual renewal on NSP, to continue receiving the scholarship through Class 12.
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