National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is a flagship scholarship programme of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme was launched in May 2008 with the primary objective of reducing the dropout rate among meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections of society. Through financial assistance, the Government aims to encourage talented students to continue their secondary and higher secondary education instead of discontinuing their studies due to financial constraints.

Under the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme, 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year to eligible students across India. The scholarship is available to students studying in Government Schools, Government-Aided Schools and Local Body Schools who successfully qualify for the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Examination conducted by their respective State Government or Union Territory Administration. The scheme targets students at the transition stage from Class VIII to Class IX, which is considered one of the most vulnerable stages for school dropouts.

Selected students receive a scholarship of Rs. 12,000 per year at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per month. The scholarship can be continued from Class IX to Class XII, subject to the fulfilment of the prescribed renewal conditions. The financial assistance helps students meet educational expenses such as school fees, books, stationery, uniforms, examination fees and other academic requirements. Scholarship funds are transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and timely payment.

To ensure that the benefits reach deserving students, selection is made through a competitive examination consisting of the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students must satisfy the prescribed income and academic eligibility criteria to participate in the selection process. As per the revised guidelines of the Ministry of Education, the annual parental income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 3,50,000 for eligibility under the scheme.

The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme is currently operational from 2021-22 to 2025-26 and continues to serve as one of the most important Central Government scholarship schemes for school students in India. Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools providing free boarding and lodging facilities, and private schools are not eligible for benefits under the scheme. Eligible students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) after qualifying for the State-level scholarship examination and completing the prescribed verification process. To avail the scholarship, students must first qualify the State-level NMMSS examination and thereafter submit their application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Applications are verified by the concerned authorities before the scholarship amount is sanctioned and transferred directly into the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Scheme Benefits

• Selected students receive a scholarship of Rs. 12,000 per year under the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme.
• Scholarship is paid at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per month.
• Financial assistance is available from Class IX to Class XII, subject to the fulfilment of the prescribed renewal conditions.
• Scholarship can be continued for a maximum period of four years.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly into the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
• Students can use the scholarship amount to meet educational expenses, such as:
  • School fees and other academic charges.
  • Purchase of books, notebooks and study materials.
  • Examination-related expenses.
  • Uniforms, stationery and other educational requirements.
• The scheme helps meritorious students from economically weaker families continue their secondary and higher secondary education without financial hardship.
• Every year, 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are awarded to eligible students across India under the scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

• The annual income of the student's parents from all sources should not exceed Rs. 3,50,000 per annum.
• The applicant must be studying as a regular student in a Government School, Government-Aided School or Local Body School.
• Students should be studying in Class VIII at the time of appearing in the State-Level National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Examination.
• The student must have secured at least 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination.
• A relaxation of 5% marks is available for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. Such students are required to secure at least 50% marks in Class VII.
• Scholarship is awarded to eligible students entering Class IX after qualifying the selection examination conducted by the respective State Government or Union Territory Administration.
• Students studying in the following institutions are not eligible for benefits under the scheme:
  • Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs).
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
  • Residential schools where boarding, lodging and education are provided free of cost.
  • Private schools.
• The applicant must satisfy all conditions prescribed by the State/UT conducting authority and the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Note: Selection for the scholarship is based on performance in the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) conducted by the respective State Government or Union Territory Administration.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card of the student.
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
• Passport-size photograph.
• Income Certificate issued by the competent authority.
• Caste Certificate (for SC, ST and other reserved category applicants, if applicable).
• Class VII Marksheet or Progress Report.
• Class VIII Bonafide Certificate or School Verification Certificate.
• Bank Account Passbook of the student showing:
  • Account Number.
  • IFSC Code.
  • Name of the Account Holder.
• Domicile Certificate, if required by the respective State or Union Territory.
• Disability Certificate (for Persons with Disabilities, if applicable).
• Any other document required by the State Government, Union Territory Administration or National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Note: The exact list of documents may vary from State to State. Applicants should check the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the notification issued by their respective State or Union Territory before submitting the application form.

Selection Procedure

• Selection of students under the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is carried out through a State-Level Scholarship Examination conducted separately by each State Government and Union Territory Administration.
• Students studying in Class VIII and meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria can appear in the examination.
• The selection examination consists of the following two tests:
  1. Mental Ability Test (MAT)
     • Consists of 90 multiple-choice questions.
     • Tests verbal and non-verbal reasoning abilities.
     • Questions may cover topics such as analogy, classification, numerical series, pattern perception, critical thinking, reasoning and hidden figures.
  2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
     • Consists of 90 multiple-choice questions.
     • Questions are based on subjects taught in Classes VII and VIII.
     • The test covers Science, Mathematics and Social Science.
• Each test is conducted for a duration of 90 minutes.
• Children with disabilities are provided additional time as per the rules of the respective State Government or Union Territory Administration.
• Students must qualify both MAT and SAT examinations.
• General category students are required to secure at least 40% aggregate marks in both tests taken together.
• For Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, the minimum qualifying mark is 32% aggregate.
• At the time of final selection, students must also satisfy the prescribed academic and income eligibility conditions of the scheme.
• Candidates selected in the State-Level Merit List are required to submit their application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• The applications are verified by the School, District and State Nodal Authorities before being forwarded to the Ministry of Education for approval.
• After successful verification and sanction, the scholarship amount is transferred directly into the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Important: A total of 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year under the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme. The number of scholarships available in each State and Union Territory is fixed by the Ministry of Education.

Steps to Apply

• Appear in the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Examination conducted by the respective State Government or Union Territory.
• Qualify both the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with the prescribed minimum marks.
• Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• Register on the portal using the required details.
• Log in to the National Scholarship Portal and select the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme application form.
• Fill in all personal, academic and bank account details carefully.
• Upload the required supporting documents in the prescribed format.
• Submit the application form online before the last date.
• The application will be verified by the School, District and State Nodal Authorities.
• After successful verification, the Ministry of Education will sanction the scholarship, and the amount will be transferred directly to the student's bank account through DBT.

National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) Application Schedule 2026-27

• Application Process Starts: 01 June 2026
• Last Date for Student Application Submission: 31 August 2026
• Last Date for Institute Verification: 15 September 2026
• Last Date for Defective Application Verification: 15 September 2026
• Last Date for DNO/SNO/MNO Verification: 30 September 2026

Students seeking benefits under the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) should submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) before 31 August 2026. Applicants are advised to complete the application process well before the deadline and ensure that all required documents are uploaded correctly to avoid delays during verification.

Key Features of NMMSS

• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is a Central Sector Scholarship Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
• The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates among meritorious students from economically weaker sections and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary and higher secondary level.
• A total of 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year to eligible students across India.
• Selected students receive a scholarship of Rs. 12,000 per year at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per month.
• The scholarship is available for a maximum period of four years, from Class IX to Class XII, subject to the fulfilment of renewal conditions.
• The annual parental income limit for eligibility has been enhanced to Rs. 3,50,000 from all sources.
• Selection of students is carried out through the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) conducted by the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
• Scholarship benefits are available only to students studying in Government Schools, Government-Aided Schools and Local Body Schools.
• Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools providing free boarding and lodging facilities, and private schools are not eligible under the scheme.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly into the student's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
• Students can avail only one scholarship under any Central Government Scholarship Scheme at a time.
• The scholarship is applicable only for studies pursued in India and is not available for studies abroad.
• Scholarship once discontinued due to non-compliance with scheme conditions, cannot be revived.
• Students must join the next class within three months of the declaration of results of the previous class to continue receiving benefits.
• Any gap of one academic session in studies may lead to the discontinuation of the scholarship.
• Applications and renewals are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), ensuring transparent verification and monitoring.

Renewal Criteria of the Scheme

• Students must obtain clear promotion from Class IX to Class X and from Class XI to Class XII in the first attempt.
• A minimum of 60% marks in Class X examination is required for continuation of the scholarship in higher classes.
• For Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, the minimum marks requirement is relaxable by 5%.
• Students must continue their studies as regular students in eligible Government, Government-Aided or Local Body schools.
• Scholarship will be renewed every year only if all prescribed conditions of the scheme are fulfilled.

State-wise Scholarship Allocation under NMMSS

Seat Allocation under Central Sector National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme are as follows :-

Note: The State-wise allocation shown below is based on the scholarship quota prescribed by the Ministry of Education. While the total number of scholarships remains fixed at 1,00,000 annually, the Government may revise State and Union Territory allocations in future as per updated census-based population data and policy decisions.

Relevant Links

• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Online Application Form.
• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Registration.
• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Login.
• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Application Status.
• National Scholarship Portal.
• National Scholarship Portal App.
• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Guidelines.
• National Means Cum Merit Scholarship FAQs.
• Department of School Education & Literacy Website.

Contact Information

• National Scholarship Portal Help Desk:- 0120-6619540.
• Nodal Officer Contact Number:- 0112-3383363.
• National Scholarship Portal Helpdesk Email:- [email protected].