The Ministry of Education has extended the registration deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) to September 30, 2025. Meritorious students belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category can apply for this government-funded educational aid through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
About NMMSS Scholarship 2025-26
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education. It aims to reduce school dropouts after Class 8 and encourage students to continue their education up to higher secondary level (Class 12). The registration window for the academic year 2025-26 began on June 2, 2025, and has now been extended to September 30, 2025.
Under this scheme, one lakh fresh scholarships are awarded annually to Class 9 students who clear the qualifying examination. The scholarship is renewable for Classes 10 to 12 on the basis of consistent academic performance.
Eligibility Criteria for NMMSS 2025-26
- Students must be studying in state government, government-aided, or local body schools.
- Parental income must be below ₹3.50 lakh per annum.
- Students must have scored at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in Class 7.
- A relaxation of 5% in minimum marks is provided for SC and ST students.
- Students have to clear the qualifying exam conducted under NMMSS to be eligible for the scholarship.
How to Apply for NMMSS Scholarship 2025-26
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the portal.
- Log in with the credentials and apply for NMMSS under available schemes.
- Submit the required documents and finalize the application.
Verification Process
The NSP portal uses a two-level verification system for NMMSS applications:
- Level-1 (L1) Verification: At the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) level. The deadline is October 15, 2025.
- Level-2 (L2) Verification: At the District Nodal Officer (DNO) level. The deadline is October 31, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Registration Deadline Extended: September 30, 2025
- Annual Scholarship: ₹12,000 per student
- Target Group: Meritorious students from EWS category
- Application Mode: Online via NSP (scholarships.gov.in)
- Verification Deadlines: October 15 (INO) and October 31 (DNO)
NMMSS Scholarship Amount and Benefits
Selected students will receive ₹12,000 per annum as financial aid to complete their school education. The scholarship amount is directly transferred into the bank accounts of students through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
