Launched in May 2008 by the Government of India, the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS), also known as the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), addresses the critical issue of student dropouts after Class 8 due to financial constraints. By providing an annual scholarship of ₹12,000 to meritorious students from economically weaker sections in Classes 9 to 12, NMMS supports continued education in government, government-aided, or local body schools. This guide details the eligibility, application process, selection criteria, benefits, and impact of the NMMS for the 2025 academic year.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NMMS, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Progression: Promoted from Class 8 to Class 9 to start receiving the scholarship; must be promoted from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt to continue.
- Academic Performance: Minimum 60% marks in Class 10 exams (55% for SC/ST students) to maintain eligibility.
- Income Limit: Annual family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh.
- Exclusions: Not eligible if receiving other Central Government scholarships, studying abroad, pursuing diploma/certificate courses, or enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalayas or Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Application Process for NMMS 2025
Applications are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using a mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR) system. Below is the step-by-step guide:
Step 1: OTR Generation
- Visit scholarships.gov.in.
- Click “Apply For One-Time Registration (OTR)” on the homepage.
- In the “Register” section, agree to the guidelines and click “Next.”
- Enter and verify your mobile number with OTP.
- Complete eKYC verification to generate a 14-digit OTR number.
Step 2: Filling the NMMS Application
- Return to scholarships.gov.in.
- Click “Apply For Scholarship” and log in using your OTR number and password.
- Navigate to “Apply for NMMSS Scholarship.”
- Fill in all required details and upload necessary documents.
- Double-check details and submit the application.
- Use the “Save Draft” feature if completing in multiple sittings.
Required Documents
- Two recent passport-size photos (10–20KB, JPG).
- Income certificate (family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh).
- Caste certificate (if applicable).
- Disability certificate (if applicable).
- Class 7 or 8 mark sheet.
- Proof of residence (e.g., Aadhaar card, domicile certificate).
Selection Process
The NMMS selection involves state/UT-conducted exams with two components:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT): 90 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes) on reasoning, analogy, classification, numerical series, and pattern perception.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 90 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes) covering physics, social studies, and mathematics from Class 7 and 8 syllabi.
- Extra time is provided for students with disabilities.
- Final selection is based on performance in these state-level tests.
Cutoff Marks for NMMS 2025
| Paper | General Category | Reserved Category (SC/ST/PH) |
|---|---|---|
| MAT | 40% | 32% |
| SAT | 40% | 32% |
Checking NMMS Results
- Visit your state’s SCERT website (e.g., scertwb.org for West Bengal).
- Locate the “Result” or “NMMS Results” section.
- Download the linked PDF and search for your name.
State-Wise Result Declaration Dates (2025)
| State | SCERT Website | Result Date |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | scertwb.org | April 28, 2025 |
| Uttar Pradesh | scert-up.in | February 28, 2025 |
| Telangana | scert.telangana.gov.in | June 2025 |
| Sikkim | scertsikkim.ac.in | June 2025 |
| Rajasthan | rscertudai.rajasthan.gov.in | July 2025 |
| Punjab | scert.epunjabschool.gov.in | February 2, 2025 |
| Odisha | scertodisha.nic.in | April 2025 |
| Madhya Pradesh | scert.mp.gov.in | April 2025 |
| Meghalaya | megeducation.gov.in/dert | March 29, 2025 |
| Maharashtra | maa.ac.in | February 7, 2025 |
| Kerala | scert.kerala.gov.in | March 29, 2025 |
| Karnataka | dsert.karnataka.gov.in | March 27, 2025 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | sites.google.com/view/scertjk-jmudiv | August 2025 |
| Himachal Pradesh | scerthp.org | April 4, 2025 |
| Haryana | scertharyana.gov.in | April 25, 2025 |
| Gujarat | gujarat-education.gov.in/scert | April 2, 2025 |
| New Delhi | edudel.nic.in | March 3, 2025 |
| Chhattisgarh | scert.cg.gov.in | May 19, 2025 |
| Bihar | scert.bihar.gov.in | April 2025 |
| Andhra Pradesh | scert.ap.gov.in | June 2025 |
NMMS Merit List 2025-2026 (Sample: District Mau, General Category)
| Roll No | Name | Total Marks | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5001355 | Raginee Gupta | 123 | 1 |
| 5002270 | Sameer Kumar | 121 | 2 |
| 5001415 | Subham Kumar | 121 | 2 |
| 5001569 | Deepankar Yadav | 120 | 3 |
| 5002284 | Nandani Singh | 115 | 4 |
Note: Full merit lists are available on respective state SCERT websites.
Scholarship Benefits and Disbursement
- Benefits: 100,000 scholarships of ₹12,000/year (₹1,000/month) for students in Classes 9–12, subject to academic performance and income eligibility.
- Disbursement: Funds are transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts (preferably with SBI or other public sector/scheduled banks). Renewal applications must be submitted on time to avoid discontinuation.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
- Visit scholarships.gov.in.
- Click “Grievance Registration” under the “Public” section.
- Select “Applicant” and log in with OTR number, password, and CAPTCHA.
- Navigate to the “Complaint” section, select grievance category, describe the issue, and upload supporting documents.
- Submit the complaint. Note: Grievances related to RTI, court matters, religious issues, or suggestions are not addressed.
State Scholarship Portals
For students ineligible for NMMS, state-specific scholarship portals offer alternatives:
| State | Portal |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | dge.tn.gov.in |
| Assam | madhyamik.assam.gov.in |
| Arunachal Pradesh | apdhte.nic.in |
| Jharkhand | jacexamportal.in |
| Mizoram | scert.mizoram.gov.in |
FAQs
- How to Apply? Through the NSP portal for fresh or renewal applications.
- What is OTR? A 14-digit One-Time Registration number generated via Aadhaar for NSP applications.
- Eligibility: Students in Classes 9–12, family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh, not in Kendriya/Navodaya Vidyalayas.
- Application in One Sitting? No, use the “Save Draft” feature to complete over multiple sessions.
- Forgot OTR Number? Use the “Know Your OTR” option on the NSP portal with required details.
For further details, visit scholarships.gov.in or contact your state’s SCERT.