National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS): Rs 12,000 a Year for Class 9 to 12

Eligibility, the selection exam, renewal rules, and the 2026-27 application deadlines, all in one place.

For many bright students from low-income families, the move from Class 8 to Class 9 is where school stops. Fees, books, and daily expenses add up, and some children drop out. The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) was created to prevent exactly that. This post explains how the scheme works, who can apply, how selection happens, and what to do before the 15 November 2026 deadline.

What Is NMMSS?

NMMSS is a central sector scholarship scheme run by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. It was launched in May 2008 to reduce dropouts among meritorious students from economically weaker sections, and to encourage them to continue through secondary and higher secondary school.

Every year, 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are awarded across India. Selected students receive Rs 12,000 per year (Rs 1,000 per month), paid directly to their bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Scheme at a Glance

• Scheme name: National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
• Launched: May 2008
• Benefit: Rs 12,000 per year (Rs 1,000 per month)
• Duration: Class 9 to Class 12, up to four years, subject to renewal conditions
• Beneficiaries: Class 8 students from economically weaker families
• Fresh scholarships: 1,00,000 every year
• Nodal agency: Department of School Education and Literacy
• Application portal: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
• Helpline: 0120-6619540

Latest Update: 2026-27 Deadlines

The last date for students to submit applications on the National Scholarship Portal for 2026-27 has been extended to 15 November 2026. The verification schedule has been revised as well.

Stage	Date
Scheme open from	1 June 2026
Last date for student application	15 November 2026
Last date for defective application verification	30 November 2026
Last date for institute verification	30 November 2026
Last date for DNO/SNO/MNO verification	15 December 2026

Do not wait for the last day. Portals tend to slow down near deadlines, and any mistake you need to fix takes time.

Key Benefits

• Rs 1,000 per month, or Rs 12,000 per year.
• Up to four years of support, from Class 9 to Class 12.
• Direct bank transfer through DBT, which keeps payments transparent and timely.
• Helps cover school fees, books, stationery, uniforms, and exam costs.

Who Is Eligible?

• The parental income from all sources must not exceed Rs 3,50,000 per year.
• The student must be a regular student in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
• The student must be in Class 8 when appearing for the state-level selection exam.
• The student must have scored at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in Class 7. SC and ST students get a 5% relaxation, so 50% is enough.
• The student must qualify the selection exam conducted by their state or Union Territory.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools that provide free boarding and lodging, and private schools cannot receive the scholarship.

Selection Process

Selection is based on a state-level scholarship examination held by each State Government or UT Administration. It has two parts, and a student must qualify both:

• Mental Ability Test (MAT): 90 multiple-choice questions on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, such as analogies, classification, number series, pattern perception, and hidden figures.
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 90 multiple-choice questions on Classes 7 and 8 subjects: Science, Mathematics, and Social Science.

Each test runs for 90 minutes, with extra time for children with disabilities as per state rules. To qualify, General category students need at least 40% aggregate marks across both tests, and SC/ST students need 32%. Final selection also checks the income and academic conditions.

The number of scholarships for each state is fixed by the Ministry of Education. For example, Uttar Pradesh has 15,143 seats, Maharashtra 11,682, West Bengal 7,250, Tamil Nadu 6,695, and Madhya Pradesh 6,446, while smaller states and territories have far fewer. The allocations can be revised in future.

Documents You Will Need

• Student’s Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-linked mobile number
• Passport-size photograph
• Income certificate from the competent authority
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• Class 7 marksheet or progress report
• Class 8 bonafide or school verification certificate
• Bank passbook showing the account number, IFSC code, and account holder’s name
• Domicile certificate, if your state requires it
• Disability certificate, if applicable

The exact list can differ by state, so check the NSP and your state’s notification before you apply.

How to Apply

1. Appear for the state-level NMMSS examination held by your State or UT.
2. Qualify both MAT and SAT with the minimum marks.
3. Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and register with the required details.
4. Log in and select the NMMSS application form.
5. Fill in your personal, academic, and bank details carefully.
6. Upload the supporting documents in the prescribed format.
7. Submit the form online before 15 November 2026.
8. Your application is verified by the school, district, and state nodal authorities, then sent to the Ministry of Education.
9. After sanction, the money goes to your bank account through DBT.

Renewal: How to Keep the Scholarship

The scholarship is renewed every year, and only if you meet the conditions:

• You must be promoted from Class 9 to 10, and from Class 11 to 12, in the first attempt.
• You need at least 60% marks in Class 10 to continue in higher classes. SC and ST students get a 5% relaxation.
• You must remain a regular student in an eligible government, aided, or local body school.
• You must join the next class within three months of the results of the previous class. A gap of one academic session can lead to discontinuation.

Remember that a scholarship stopped for non-compliance cannot be revived.

Other Rules to Know

• A student can hold only one central government scholarship at a time.
• The scholarship is for studies in India only, not abroad.
• Applications and renewals are processed through the NSP.

Tips for Students and Parents

• Start early. Prepare documents, especially the income certificate, before the application window closes.
• Prepare for the MAT and SAT. Practise reasoning questions and revise the Class 7 and 8 syllabus.
• Check your bank account. It should be in the student’s name and ready for DBT.
• Keep a copy of your submitted application and track its status.
• Check your school’s verification status. Delays often happen at the verification stage.
• Use only official channels. The scheme is free to apply for, so never pay an agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does NMMSS pay? Rs 12,000 per year, at Rs 1,000 per month.

Who can apply? Class 8 students of government, aided, or local body schools whose parental income is within Rs 3,50,000 a year and who scored 55% (50% for SC/ST) in Class 7.

Is there an entrance exam? Yes. Your state or UT conducts the MAT and SAT.

How long does the scholarship last? Up to four years, from Class 9 to Class 12, if you meet the renewal conditions.

What is the last date for 2026-27? 15 November 2026 for students. Institute verification and defective application verification close on 30 November 2026, and DNO/SNO/MNO verification on 15 December 2026.

Where do I apply? On the National Scholarship Portal.

Who can I contact for help? The NSP helpline is 0120-6619540, the nodal officer’s number is 0112-3383363, and the email helpdesk is helpdesk@nsp.gov.in.