Home · Scholarships · National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)

Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education

2026-27: applications closed on 30 Sep 2026 (official — scholarships.gov.in, checked 27 Sep 2026). Only for students already selected in their State/UT NMMSS exam (fresh, Class 9) or renewing (Classes 10–12). The date was extended from 31 Aug 2026. School (INO) verification till 15 Oct 2026, district (DNO) verification till 31 Oct 2026. Source: scholarships.gov.in ↗

Stops bright students from poor families dropping out after Class 8. 1 lakh fresh scholarships a year for Class 9 students picked by each State/UT's own selection exam (fixed state quotas), renewed through Class 12.

Amount

₹12,000/year from class 9 through class 12.

Level

Class 9–10, Class 11–12

State

National (all India)

Usual window

State NMMSS exam usually Nov; NSP application after results

Income ceiling

₹3.5 lakh / year

Minimum marks

55%

Eligibility

Class 8 regular student in a government, government-aided or local-body school, with at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST) to sit the State/UT NMMSS exam (MAT + SAT, passed with 40% aggregate; 32% for SC/ST) and at least 55% in Class 8 at selection (50% for SC/ST). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya, government residential-school and private-school students are not eligible. Paid in Classes 9–12. To continue, clear promotion in the first attempt from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12, and at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST) for Classes 11–12. From 2026-27 a student may apply for one merit scholarship plus one or more welfare scholarships.

Questions

Who is eligible for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)?

Class 8 regular student in a government, government-aided or local-body school, with at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST) to sit the State/UT NMMSS exam (MAT + SAT, passed with 40% aggregate; 32% for SC/ST) and at least 55% in Class 8 at selection (50% for SC/ST). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya, government residential-school and private-school students are not eligible. Paid in Classes 9–12. To continue, clear promotion in the first attempt from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12, and at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST) for Classes 11–12. From 2026-27 a student may apply for one merit scholarship plus one or more welfare scholarships. Family income ceiling ₹3.5 lakh a year. Minimum 55% marks required.

How much does National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) pay?

₹12,000/year from class 9 through class 12.

How do I apply for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)?

Apply on the awarding body's official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/ — Shishya does not collect applications. 2026-27: applications closed on 30 Sep 2026 (official — scholarships.gov.in, checked 27 Sep 2026). Only for students already selected in their State/UT NMMSS exam (fresh, Class 9) or renewing (Classes 10–12). The date was extended from 31 Aug 2026. School (INO) verification till 15 Oct 2026, district (DNO) verification till 31 Oct 2026.

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