National Means-Merit Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 is an initiative of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India for students enrolled in Class 9 in government, government-aided, and local body schools. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students belonging to the EWS category to prevent their dropouts at Class 8 and encourage them to continue their studies at the secondary stage. The selected candidates will receive a scholarship of â‚ą12,000 per annum. A total of 1,00,000 NMMS scholarships are awarded annually to deserving class 8th students by the Ministry of Education.
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NMMS Scholarship Exam Eligibility Criteria
- A student must pass Class 8 with a passing score of 55% (or 50% for SC/ST students) to be eligible for the NMMS 2025 Scholarship exam.
- The student family’s total annual income from all sources cannot be more than Rs. 3,50,000
- The NMMS scholarship is available only to students who are studying in India.
- Students who take and pass the NMMS scholarship exam are entitled to be considered for the scholarship.
Benefits and Award
- Under this scheme, 1,00,000 fresh scholarships @ Rs. 12,000/- per annum (â‚ą1,000 per month) are awarded to meritorious students every year at the Class IX level, which can be continued up to Class 12th.
- The sanction of funds will be done from the Annual Budget Provision for releasing them to SBI, the implementing bank for the scheme for disbursal of scholarships, to students directly into their bank accounts by electronic transfer through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- The awardees will be required to open bank accounts preferably in SBI, any public sector bank, or any scheduled bank which has a core banking facility.
NMMS Exam Pattern 2025-26
- The exam will be divided into two parts: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
- MAT includes questions that test reasoning and critical thinking abilities. On the other hand, questions from physics, social science, and mathematics will be asked on the SAT.
- Each of these papers lasts 90 minutes and is worth 90 marks.
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Selection Criteria
Students must appear for a state-level test conducted in Class 8 to be considered for the scholarship. This test consists of two parts:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Each test will be 90 minutes long. Students with disabilities will be given additional time as per the relevant guidelines.
Students must secure a minimum score of 40% in each test to qualify for the scholarship.
Note:- The minimum score is relaxed by 5% for Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
NMMS Scholarship 2025-26 – Important Dates
Students must apply NMMS scholarship online before the last date. Here are the most important dates for the NMMS 2025-26 Scholarship.
| Events | NMMS Dates |
|---|---|
| NMMS Scholarship Application Release Date | June 2, 2025 |
| Submission of fresh/renewal applications for NMMSS | August 31, 2025 |
| Defective Application verification is open till | September 15, 2025 |
| Institute verification is open till | September 15, 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO verification open till | September 30, 2025 |
Documents Required:
- Academic transcripts including marksheets & certificates of previous qualifying examinations
- An income certificate issued by a competent authority
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card
- Bank details of Aadhaar-seeded account
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
Application Process:
New Registration:
Step 1: Visit the Registration page of the National Scholarships Portal.
Step 2: Guidelines for Registration will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read carefully the undertaking. Accept the Terms. Click “Continue”.
Step 3: A Registration Form will appear. (The fields marked as * are compulsory). Fill in the details and click “Register”. Your Application ID and password will be displayed. The same will also be sent as an SMS to your registered mobile number.
Fresh Application:
Step 1: Visit the applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal Enter your Application ID and password.
Step 2: Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm.
Step 4: Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents. The verification of credentials of the students (caste, educational qualifications etc.) will be done through the DIGILOCKER facility of the MeitY, Govt. of India.
Step 6: You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to apply.
Track Payment Status:
The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal either by indicating their Aadhaar Number, Bank Account number or NSP Application ID.
Contact Details
Ministry of Education
Department of School Education & Literacy
Shastri Bhawan, Dr Rajendra Prasad Rd
Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat
New Delhi-110001
Email ID: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in | Phone Number: (0120) 661954
