National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2026 Online Application Form

Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has opened online applications for National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year 2026-27. NMMSS awards scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to stop their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue study at the secondary stage.

Under this scheme, 1 lakh fresh scholarships at ₹12,000 per annum are awarded to meritorious students every year at class IX level, which can be continued up to class XII. Interested candidates can apply online and fill National Means cum Merit Scholarship Online Application Form at scholarships.gov.in. Last date to apply online is 31 October 2026. The Ministry of Education extended the deadline for the 2026-27 session, so fresh and renewal applications now close on 31 October 2026. Institute verification closes on 15 November 2026 and district level verification on 30 November 2026.

About National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is a central sector scheme launched in May 2008 to provide scholarships for meritorious students of classes 9th to 12th. The scheme is on-boarded on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

For the academic year 2026-27, the portal opened for applications from 1 June 2026. A new rule from this year allows students to apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes, as per the eligibility criteria of each scheme.

Detail	Information
Scheme Name	National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
Launched By	Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education
Beneficiaries	Meritorious students of class 9th to 12th from poor families
Benefit Amount	₹12,000 per year
Application Mode	Online on National Scholarship Portal
Last Date	31 October 2026
Official Website	scholarships.gov.in

Objective of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme

The main aim is to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to stop their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their study and complete the secondary stage.

Coverage of NMMSS

The scheme covers one lakh fresh scholarships every year to selected students of class 9th and their continuation or renewal in classes 10th to 12th for study in a State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools under the scheme.

Scholarship Amount

An amount of ₹12,000 per student per year is given. The rate of scholarship was raised from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 per year with effect from 1 April 2017.

NMMSS Scholarship Scheme Eligibility and Details

Every candidate must meet the following eligibility criteria to become eligible for National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme. Here is the complete eligibility criteria to appear in NMMSS selection test:

• Total family income of the candidate from all sources must not exceed ₹3.5 lakh per year.
• All students will get reservation on the basis of State government norms.
• Student should be studying as a regular student in government, government-aided and local body schools. Students of NVS, KVS and residential schools are not entitled for scholarships.
• The awardees should get clear promotion from class 8th to class 9th to be eligible for starting the scholarship.
• The scholarship at the secondary and higher secondary stage or equivalent classes IX to XII is payable for a maximum period of four years for studies in India only.
• No scholarship at this stage is payable for studying diploma or certificate level courses.
• For continuing the scholarship in class X and XII, the awardees should get clear promotion from class IX to class X and from class XI to class XII in the first attempt.
• The awardees must get a minimum of 60 per cent marks in class X examination (relaxable by 5 per cent for SC/ST students) or equivalent examination for continuation of the scholarship at higher secondary stage.
• In case an institution or school does not conduct an examination at the end of class IX and or class XI, the scholarship for the second year will be continued on the submission of a certificate to this effect from the Head of the Institution or school.

Selection of Fresh Awardee Students

NMMSS selection test is conducted at the stage of class 8th. Each State and UT conducts its own test for selection of students for the award of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship. Due publicity is given by the State and UT regarding the test. Interested eligible students may contact the State Nodal Officer for details.

A student who meets the eligibility criteria must pass both the tests, that is, Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) under NMMSS with at least 40 per cent marks in aggregate taken together for these two tests. For SC/ST students, this cut off is 32 per cent marks.

Selection of Renewal Awardee Students

The awardees should get a minimum of 60 per cent in class 10th for continuance of scholarship, relaxable by 5 per cent for SC/ST candidates.

NMMSS Scheme on National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

NMMSS Scheme has been on-boarded on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which has been developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for making the release of scholarships across Ministries and Departments easier, clear and reliable.

From the academic year 2024-25, One Time Registration (OTR) is required to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal. OTR is a unique 14-digit number issued on the basis of Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) and is valid for the entire academic career of the student. NSP OTR App is available on Google Play Store.

NMMSS Apply Process under NSP

To apply for NMMSS, students from different States and UTs, who have qualified in the MAT and SAT under NMMSS, must register themselves on NSP. The applications are verified online on the portal by the prescribed State authorities. The final list of eligible candidates, complete in all respect, is provided to the Ministry of Education by the NSP team for sanction of the scholarship.

The Ministry of Education thereafter sanctions funds and releases them to State Bank of India (SBI), the implementing bank for the scheme. SBI disburses the scholarships to students directly by electronic transfer into their bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Now we are describing how to apply online and fill the application form for NMMSS Scheme.

National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) Application Form

Below is the complete procedure to apply online for NMMSS Scholarship 2026 for meritorious poor students:

STEP 1 - Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.

STEP 2 - At the homepage, go to the "Fresh Application" tab present under the "Applicant's Corner" section of the page as shown here:

STEP 3 - In the new window, the page to make login for fresh application will open as shown below:

STEP 4 - All first time users can click at the "New Student ? Register Here" link. In the new window, read the guidelines for National Means cum Merit Scholarship scheme that will appear as shown below:

STEP 5 - Read all the instructions carefully and click at the "Continue" button at the bottom to open the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Registration Form 2026:

STEP 6 - You can register with your Aadhaar card or EID by entering the mobile number and verifying the OTP. Even those candidates who do not have Aadhaar or EID can apply for NMMSS registration. From the academic year 2024-25, One Time Registration (OTR) is required to apply for scholarships on the portal.

Students of NVS, KVS, Sainik Schools and private schools cannot fill the NMMS Scholarship Application Form. District Education Officer will forward the list to State Nodal Officers who have to verify the beneficiaries and confirm the awardees of the scholarship.

NMMS Scholarship Rate and Number of Scholarships

Central government offers a total of 1 lakh scholarships at ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) to the selected students of class 9th every year. These scholarships are continued or renewed in class 10th to class 12th for study in State government, government-aided and local body schools. State Bank of India (SBI) holds the responsibility to disburse this amount directly into the bank account of students through Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Each State and UT conducts a State level examination for the selection of students for the award of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship. This includes Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Candidates must pass MAT and SAT with at least 40 per cent marks. For reserved category, this cut off is 32 per cent marks. Central government will provide 100 per cent funds for the scheme.

Note - All the students of class 9th and 10th need to apply under the Pre-Matric scholarship category while students of class 11th and 12th need to apply under the Post-Matric scholarship category. For renewal of the scholarship, students need to apply through the renewal section on the National Scholarship Portal.

FAQ's

What is the last date to apply for NMMSS 2026-27?

The last date to apply online for NMMSS 2026-27 is 31 October 2026. Applications opened on 1 June 2026 on the National Scholarship Portal. Institute verification closes on 15 November 2026 and district verification on 30 November 2026.

How much scholarship amount is given under NMMSS?

Selected students get ₹12,000 per year, which is paid at ₹1,000 per month. The scholarship can be renewed from class 10th to class 12th subject to meeting the renewal conditions.

Who can apply for NMMSS 2026-27?

Students studying in class 9th in government, government-aided and local body schools whose family income is not more than ₹3.5 lakh per year can apply. Students of NVS, KVS, Sainik Schools and private schools are not eligible.

Is OTR required to apply for NMMSS?

Yes, One Time Registration (OTR) is required to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal from the academic year 2024-25. OTR can be generated using Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID).

References

For more details, visit the official website scholarships.gov.in.

Also Read - Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities and Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities