The National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), launched by the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy, is a flagship central government program designed to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections. The aim is to reduce dropouts at Class 8 and encourage continued education through Class 12 by providing financial assistance of ₹12,000 per annum.
Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)
• Scheme Name: National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
• Launched By: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Target Group: Class 8 students (Government/Local Body Schools)
• Annual Scholarship Amount: ₹12,000 (₹1,000/month)
• Scholarship Tenure: Class 9 to Class 12 (max 4 years)
• Total Scholarships: 1,00,000 fresh per year
• Mode of Disbursal: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s bank account
• Application Mode: Online via National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Benefits
• ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000/month) per selected student
• Scholarship continues from Class 9 to Class 12 (maximum of 4 years)
• Scholarship amount directly credited via DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
• Reservation of slots as per State/UT norms
Eligibility Criteria
For Fresh Applicants
• The applicant must be studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or local body school
• Parental income must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum from all sources
• Must have secured at least 55% marks in Class 7 (5% relaxation for SC/ST students)
• Must appear and qualify in the NMMSS State-Level Selection Test conducted during Class 8
• Reservation applicable as per the State/UT government norms
Selection Test Pattern
-
Mental Ability Test (MAT) – 90 MCQs
-
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – 90 MCQs
• Minimum qualifying marks: 40% aggregate in both tests (32% for SC/ST)
Eligibility Criteria for Renewal
• Class 9 to 10: Must be promoted without repeating a year
• Class 10 to 11: Minimum 60% marks in Class 10 (5% relaxation for SC/ST)
• Class 11 to 12: Must be promoted in the first attempt
• Should maintain good academic conduct and attendance
• No gap year allowed at any point
Exclusions
• Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and residential schools run by Central/State Governments
• Students studying in private unaided schools
• No scholarship for studies abroad or diploma/certificate courses
Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide (Online via NSP)
New Registration
-
Visit the NSP Registration Page.
-
Accept the terms and click “Continue”.
-
Fill in the registration form.
-
Submit to receive the Application ID and password via SMS.
Application Form
-
Go to Applicant Login on NSP.
-
Enter Application ID and password, complete OTP verification.
-
Reset password and proceed to the Applicant Dashboard.
-
Fill in personal, academic, bank, and scheme-related details.
-
Upload the required documents and submit.
Track Payment Status
Visit the PFMS Portal and search by Aadhaar/Bank Account/NSP Application ID.
Documents Required
• Class 7 mark sheet (for Class 8 students)
• Income Certificate (Mandatory)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)
• Domicile Certificate
• Bank passbook (Student’s account preferred)
• Aadhaar Card
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I Apply Offline For The Scholarship?
No. You need to visit https://scholarships.gov.in/ to apply. - Is There Any Application Fee?
No. The entire application process is completely free of cost. - I Am A Renewal Applicant. Am I Allowed To Migrate To Another School During The Period Of The Academic Course?
No. Doing so may result in suspension or cancellation of the scholarship. - Do I Need To Complete The Application In One Sitting?
No. You can save the application as a draft and continue at a later time before the deadline. - How Do I Track The Status Of My Application?
You can check the same anytime by visiting the Applicant Dashboard and clicking “Track Status” in the left pane. - What Should Be The Type And Size Of The Documents To Be Uploaded?
The format should be .pdf or .jpeg. The size of each document should not be greater than 200 kb. - How Do I Know If A Field In The Application Form Is Mandatory?
The mandatory fields have a red asterisk (*) mark at the end.