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 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
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 an annual scholarship of ₹12,000, disbursed at ₹1,000 per month. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The payment schedule can be quarterly or annual, as per state norms.
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
- —
Candidates for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) are selected based on a state-level examination conducted by the respective State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)
- —
This examination comprises two parts:a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
- —
Students must qualify both papers, typically achieving a minimum aggregate of 40% (with a 32% relaxation for SC/ST students)
- —
A state-wise and district-wise merit list is prepared, and scholarships are awarded based on district quotas and category reservations
- —
Eligibility also requires the applicant's parental annual income not to exceed ₹3,50,000 from all sources
- —
Students must be studying in Class 8 in a Government, Government-aided, or Local Body school.
Renewal Policy
- —
Renewal of the NMMS scholarship is mandatory every year from Class 9 to Class 12 and is not automatic. To continue receiving the scholarship, awardees must fulfill the following conditions:
- —
Be promoted to the next class in the first attempt without any gap year.
- —
Secure a minimum of 55% marks in their Class 9 and Class 11 annual examinations (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students, requiring 50%).
- —
Obtain a minimum of 60% marks in their Class 10 board examination (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students, requiring 55%).
- —
Continue studying in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
- —
Renewal applications are typically opened on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) around June each year, with a general deadline around October 31st. Missing even one year of renewal or failing a class can lead to 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.
- 1Stay Informed & Prepare for the Exam
* Notifications: Keep an eye on official notifications from your state's SCERT or Education Department and the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for application timelines and exam dates. The application process for the 2026-27 academic year has officially commenced in many states. * Exam Registration: Register for the NMMS selection exam through your school, as most states facilitate registration via schools. * Appear for Exam: Take the state-level Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). **
- 2
Online Application on National Scholarship Portal (NSP): * One-Time Registration (OTR): After qualifying the state exam, new users must visit scholarships.gov.in and click on 'Apply for One-Time Registration (OTR)'. Complete Aadhaar-based eKYC to generate a unique OTR number. Existing users should log in using their existing OTR. Do not create a new OTR for renewal applications. * Fill Application Form: Log in to the NSP with your OTR ID and password. Select the NMMS scheme and accurately fill in all personal, academic, and bank details. Ensure your bank account is a savings account, preferably with the State Bank of India (SBI) or another public sector bank, and is Aadhaar-linked in the student's own name. * Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all required documents, including: Class 7 or 8 marksheet, income certificate from a competent authority, caste certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar card, and a recent passport-size photograph. * Submit Application: Review all information carefully before final submission. Once submitted, make a note of your application number for future reference.
- 3Verification & Status Tracking
* School Verification: Your application will be verified by your school principal on the NSP. * District/State Verification: After school verification, the application proceeds to the district and state nodal officers for further verification and final approval. * Track Status: You can track your application status on the NSP portal using your OTR/Application ID. For payment status, visit the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) website (pfms.nic.in) and click on 'Track NSP Payments' or 'Know Your Payments'. You can check the status using your bank name and account number, NSP Application ID, or Aadhaar number. Ensure your Aadhaar biometric status is 'Unlocked' via resident.uidai.gov.in to avoid payment delays.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)?
Students currently studying in Class 8 in government, government-aided, or local body schools are eligible. Their parental annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000. Additionally, students must have secured a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade in their Class 7 final examination (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/PwD students, requiring 50%) to be eligible to appear for the selection test. Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, or private unaided schools are not eligible.
How much scholarship amount will a selected student receive under NMMS?
Selected students will receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month). This financial assistance is provided from Class 9 through Class 12, subject to annual renewal. The scholarship amount is directly credited to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
What are the conditions for annual renewal of the NMMS scholarship?
To continue receiving the NMMS scholarship each year, students must fulfill several academic and enrollment conditions. They must be promoted to the next class in the first attempt without any academic gap. Specifically, a minimum of 55% marks is required in Class 9 and Class 11 annual exams (50% for SC/ST students), and 60% marks in the Class 10 board examination (55% for SC/ST students). Students must also remain enrolled in an eligible government, government-aided, or local body school throughout Classes 9 to 12. Annual renewal applications must be submitted on the National Scholarship Portal, typically by October 31st. Failure to renew or meet academic criteria can lead to permanent discontinuation of the scholarship.
Scholarship News
Scholarship Guides
Similar Opportunities You Can Apply For Today
NSP One-Time Registration (OTR) Scheme 2026-27
Applications OpenMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Khelo India Sports Scholarship Scheme
Applications OpenMinistry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship 2026-27
Applications OpenSBI Foundation
ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme
Applications OpenOil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
Discover More
Legal Disclaimer
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.