The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is a major Central Government initiative aimed at supporting students from economically weaker families. Run by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the scheme offers financial assistance to meritorious students from Class 9 to 12 studying in government, local body, or government-aided schools. For the academic year 2025–26, the NMMS application window is now open across states, and several deadlines for form submission have already been announced.
The scholarship provides ₹12,000 annually to eligible students, helping them continue their studies without financial stress. Selection is conducted through state-level examinations organized by the respective SCERTs, and students must meet academic, income, and attendance criteria to retain the scholarship each year. This year’s latest update highlights that the NMMS application form is active for Kerala, Karnataka, and Haryana, in addition to other states already listed on the portal.
With varying state-specific deadlines, updated eligibility rules, and a structured selection test involving both MAT and SAT components, students and parents must stay informed to apply successfully. This detailed guide covers everything — state-wise dates, eligibility, the application process, required documents, result checking, merit lists, cutoffs, statistics, and grievance redressal.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Rules Explained
Students must meet the following NMMS eligibility conditions:
- Must be promoted from Class 8 to Class 9 in the current academic year.
- To renew the scholarship in Classes 10 and 12, students must be promoted on the first attempt every year.
- A minimum of 60% marks in Class 10 is required (5% relaxation for SC/ST).
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹3,50,000.
- Students receiving benefits from any other Central Government scholarship are not eligible.
- Not applicable for:
- Diploma/certificate courses
- Study abroad programs
- Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are not eligible.
NMMS 2025–26: State-Wise Application Deadlines
| State | Last Date to Apply |
|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh | September 30, 2025 |
| Andhra Pradesh | September 30, 2025 |
| Delhi | October 4, 2025 |
| Chandigarh | October 5, 2025 |
| Telangana | October 6, 2025 |
| Kerala | October 7, 2025 |
| Manipur | October 10, 2025 |
| Maharashtra | October 11, 2025 |
| Haryana | October 15, 2025 |
| Karnataka | October 15, 2025 |
| Uttarakhand | October 15, 2025 |
| Rajasthan | November 16, 2025 |
How to Apply for NMMS 2025–26: Step-by-Step Guide
1. One-Time Registration (OTR) on NSP
Students must generate an OTR (One-Time Registration) number before filling out the scholarship form.
Steps:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- Click “Apply for One-Time Registration (OTR)” on the homepage.
- Stay on the Register tab and accept the guidelines by clicking Next.
- Enter your mobile number → receive OTP → click Verify.
- Complete eKYC verification.
- After verification, your OTR number will be generated for NMMS application.
2. Filling the NMMS Application Form (NMMSS)
After OTR, follow these steps:
- Visit the NSP portal again.
- Click “Apply for Scholarship” on the top left.
- Login using OTR number, password, and captcha.
- Go to “Apply for NMMSS Scholarship”.
- Fill in academic, personal, and bank details.
- Upload scanned documents.
- Review the form carefully → click Submit.
Documents Required for NMMS Application
- Passport-size photographs (2)
- Income certificate (parental income ≤ ₹3,50,000)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Previous class mark sheet (Class 7 or 8)
- Proof of residence
- Aadhaar card
Selection Process: How Students Are Selected
Selection is based on a state-level test consisting of two papers:
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- 90 multiple-choice questions
- Tests reasoning, analytical ability, classification, analogy, pattern perception, etc.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
- 90 objective questions
- Covers Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics based on Class 7 & 8 syllabus.
Both papers are 90 minutes each. Students with disabilities receive extra time.
NMMS Result 2025: How to Check
Results are released by each State SCERT.
Steps to check:
- Visit the SCERT website of your state.
- Open “NMMS Result” or “Results” section.
- Click the result PDF.
- Download and search your name or roll number.
NMMS Merit List 2025–26 (Top Rankers – District: Mau)
| Roll No | Candidate Name | Total | 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 |
| 5002406 | Harsh | 115 | 4 |
| 5001344 | Tarun Singh | 114 | 5 |
| 5001084 | Arpita Maurya | 114 | 5 |
| 5001342 | Ritesh Chauhan | 113 | 6 |
| … | … | … | … |
NMMS Cutoff 2025
| Paper | General | SC/ST/PH |
|---|---|---|
| MAT | 40% | 32% |
| SAT | 40% | 32% |
NMMS Statistics 2022 (Scholarships Awarded State-Wise)
| State/UT | Scholarships |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 15143 |
| Maharashtra | 11682 |
| West Bengal | 7250 |
| Tamil Nadu | 6695 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6446 |
| Karnataka | 5534 |
| Rajasthan | 5471 |
| … | … |
| Total | 100,000 |
Scholarship Benefits & Disbursement
- ₹12,000 per year (₹1000/month).
- Only students whose applications are verified at all stages receive funds.
- Scholarship is sent through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s bank account.
- Renewal is mandatory each year; failure to renew may discontinue benefits.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Students can raise complaints through the NSP portal.
Steps:
- Visit NSP → open the menu on the left.
- Click “Grievance Registration” under “Public”.
- Select applicant/institution/district/state/ministry.
- Enter OTR number, password & captcha.
- Login → go to ‘Complaint’ section.
- Select category → write issue → attach documents → submit.
Complaints NOT accepted:
- RTI matters
- Court/subjudice cases
- Religious issues
- General suggestions
