National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
Ministry of Education, Government of India · All India
| Scheme Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) |
| Provided By | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 9-12 · Family income up to ₹3.5 Lakh/year |
About the Program
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) provides ₹12,000 annually for meritorious students from Class 9-12. Requires qualifying an exam with 55% marks and family income below ₹3.5 lakh.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹12k+
Selected students receive INR 12,000 per year, disbursed as INR 1,000 per month. The scholarship amount is directly transferred into the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
Annual scholarship of ₹12,000 paid in installments
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Class 9-12 |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Minimum Marks | 55% |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹3.5 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | All |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Class 7 & 8 Marksheets
- ✓Parents' Income Certificate
- ✓Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- ✓Domicile Certificate
- ✓Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- ✓School Bonafide Certificate
- ✓Bank Account Details (linked with Aadhaar)
- ✓Aadhaar Card
Selection Process
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Candidates for the NMMS scholarship are selected through a state-level examination conducted by the respective State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) or education departments
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This examination, typically taken in Class 8, consists of two parts: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
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Students must pass both tests with a minimum aggregate of 40% marks (32% for SC/ST students)
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A state-wise merit list is prepared, and scholarships are awarded up to each state's allotted quota, with reservation rules applied as per state norms
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After qualifying the exam, selected students must also have secured a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) in their Class 8 annual examination to finalize the scholarship.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewable annually from Class 9 to Class 12, provided the student meets specific academic conditions and continues their studies in a government, government-aided, or local body school
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To renew, students must be promoted to the next class in the first attempt
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For continuation into Class 10 and 12, awardees must achieve at least 55% marks in their Class 9 and Class 11 annual exams, respectively (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students)
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For the scholarship to continue into Class 11 and 12, students need a minimum of 60% marks in the Class 10 board examination (55% for SC/ST students)
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The renewal application must be submitted annually on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), typically between June and October 31
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Missing even one year of renewal or failing a class will result in permanent discontinuation of the scholarship.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check State Notification
Look for the NMMS examination notification on your respective State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) or state education department website. This will provide specific dates for application and examination.
- 2Register for Exam
Register for the NMMS selection examination through your school. Most states route the registration process through schools, not direct individual applications.
- 3Appear for Exam
Take the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) as scheduled by your state. Each test usually consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. Stage 2: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Application (After Qualifying Exam) Once you have qualified the state-level examination, you need to apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
- 4One-Time Registration (OTR)
Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at `https://scholarships.gov.in/`. Click on "Apply for One-Time Registration (OTR)" and complete the Aadhaar-based KYC to generate your unique OTR number. This OTR number is mandatory and will be used for all future scholarship applications and renewals.
- 5Login and Apply
Log in to the NSP using your OTR ID and password. Select the 'National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)' from the available schemes.
- 6Fill Application Form
Accurately fill in all personal, academic, and school details as they appear on your mark sheets and other official documents.
- 7Enter Bank Details
Provide your bank account details. The account must be a savings account, preferably with a public sector bank like SBI, and must be in the student's own name and linked to Aadhaar for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- 8Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format and size. Essential documents typically include: income certificate (parental income not exceeding INR 3.5 lakh), Class 7 marksheet, Aadhaar card, bank passbook, caste certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), and a school bonafide certificate.
- 9Review and Submit
Carefully review all entered information before final submission. Once submitted, you cannot edit the form. Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
- 10School/Institute Verification
Your application will be verified by your school principal (Institute Nodal Officer) on the NSP, and then forwarded to the district and state authorities for final approval. Follow up with your school to ensure timely verification. Tracking Application Status:
- 11Login to NSP
Log in to the NSP using your application ID and password.
- 12Check Status
Click on the 'Check Your Status' option to view the current status of your application (e.g., Application Submitted, Pending at INO, Verified by INO, Pending at DNO, Verified by DNO, Sent for Payment).
- 13Payment Tracking
If the status shows 'Sent for payment' but you haven't received the amount, check if your bank account is correctly linked to your Aadhaar. Contact your bank to seed your Aadhaar if necessary. If issues persist, contact your Institute Nodal Officer or the NSP helpdesk.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the annual scholarship amount for NMMS, and how is it paid?
Selected students receive INR 12,000 per year, paid as INR 1,000 per month. The total amount over four years (Class 9 to Class 12) is INR 48,000. The funds are transferred directly into the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Who is eligible to apply for the NMMS scholarship for the academic year 2025-26/2026?
Students currently studying in Class 8 in government, government-aided, or local body schools are eligible. They must have secured at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) in their Class 7 examination. The total annual parental income from all sources should not exceed INR 3,50,000. Students from private schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, or Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are not eligible.
What are the key conditions for renewing the NMMS scholarship annually?
To renew the scholarship each year (from Class 9 to 12), students must be promoted to the next class in the first attempt and continue studying in an eligible school (government or government-aided). For continuation into Class 10 and 12, a minimum of 55% marks in Class 9 and 11 respectively is required (50% for SC/ST). For continuation into Class 11 and 12, students must score at least 60% marks in their Class 10 board examination (55% for SC/ST). Renewal applications must be submitted annually on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Ministry of Education, Government of India website before final submission.