The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) pays ₹12,000 a year to Class 9 to 12 students from families earning up to ₹3.5 lakh. Only students who have cleared their state's Class 8 selection test can apply. For 2026-27, the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) shows 31 October 2026 as the last date for student applications, and that covers both fresh and renewal cases.
Published 11 October 2026. Details last checked on 14 October 2026 against the NSP schemes page and the Ministry of Education's scheme guidelines. Dates can change, so confirm on scholarships.gov.in before you submit.
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship 2026-27 at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) |
| Run by | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Who it is for | Class 9 to 12 students in government, government-aided and local body schools |
| Family income limit | ₹3.5 lakh a year from all sources |
| Amount | ₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month) |
| How you are selected | State or UT selection test in Class 8, with state-wise quotas |
| Where to apply | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| Last date on NSP | 31 October 2026 |
What Is the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
NMMS is a central sector scheme started in 2008 to keep bright students from poorer families in school after Class 8. The government awards one lakh fresh scholarships every year to students entering Class 9. Awardees can keep the scholarship through Classes 10, 11 and 12, which is a maximum of four years, as long as they meet the renewal conditions.
Two things trip students up, so it helps to separate them early:
- The selection test. Your state or UT runs it while you are in Class 8. Clearing it makes you a selected awardee.
- The NSP application. Once you are in Class 9, you still have to apply on the National Scholarship Portal. Passing the test alone does not release any money.
Who Is Eligible for NMMS?
You qualify if you study in a government, government-aided or local body school, your family income is within ₹3.5 lakh, and you clear the selection test with the required marks.
- Class 7 marks: at least 55% (50% for SC and ST students) to be allowed to sit the test.
- Test result: you must pass both papers, the Mental Ability Test and the Scholastic Aptitude Test, with at least 40% in aggregate (32% for SC and ST students).
- Class 8 marks: at selection, you must have at least 55% in Class 8 (50% for SC and ST students).
- Promotion: you need clear promotion from Class 8 to Class 9 for the scholarship to start.
- Income: not more than ₹3.5 lakh a year from all sources, counted at the time of selection.
- School type: students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, private schools and residential schools run by the Centre or a state, where boarding and lodging are provided, are not eligible.
- One scholarship only: a student can take only one central government scholarship at a time.
State governments follow their own reservation norms within their quota, so two students with similar marks in different states can have different outcomes.
How Much Is the NMMS Scholarship Amount?
The scholarship is ₹12,000 a year, paid at the rate of ₹1,000 a month. It is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account, so the account must be in the student's name and linked to Aadhaar. Students who study in a school eligible under the scheme continue to receive it for Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12, which makes the total up to ₹48,000 over four years if every renewal goes through.
NMMS Last Date 2026-27
The last date for student applications on NSP is 31 October 2026. The same NSP listing gives the verification dates that come after it.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NSP scheme opened | 1 June 2026 |
| Last date for student applications (fresh and renewal) | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application correction and institute verification | Until 15 November 2026 |
| District, state and ministry level verification | Until 30 November 2026 |
| Result | No separate result date announced |
You may still see 31 August 2026 or 30 September 2026 on other websites. Those were earlier deadlines that were later extended, so they should not be treated as current. Even so, do not wait for the last week. The portal slows down near a deadline, and your school has to verify your form before 15 November 2026.
How Does the NMMS Selection Test Work?
Each state and Union Territory runs its own test during Class 8. The scheme guidelines plan it for November every year, and your state's education department announces the exact schedule. The test has two papers.
| Paper | Questions | Duration | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 multiple-choice questions | 90 minutes | Reasoning and critical thinking, such as analogy, classification, number series and pattern questions |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 multiple-choice questions | 90 minutes | Science, social studies and mathematics from the Class 7 and 8 syllabus |
Students with a disability get extra time. The one lakh scholarships are shared among states, so what matters for you is your rank within your own state's quota and not an all-India rank.
Documents Required for NMMS on NSP
The guidelines do not print one fixed checklist, so the exact list can vary by state. Most students are asked for the following.
- Aadhaar number and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for One Time Registration
- Proof of selection, such as the state merit list or selection letter
- Income certificate showing family income up to ₹3.5 lakh a year
- Marksheets of Class 7 and Class 8
- School bonafide certificate
- Bank account details of the student
Check your school or state education office for the final list before you upload anything.
How to Apply for NMMS on the National Scholarship Portal
- Open scholarships.gov.in and complete One Time Registration if you have not done so. Our NSP scholarship 2026-27 registration guide explains each step.
- Log in and open the scheme named "National Means Cum Merit Scholarship" under fresh or renewal, whichever applies to you.
- Fill in your personal, school and bank details, and select the details of your selection.
- Upload your documents. Use clear scans so the form is not marked defective.
- Submit the form and write down your application ID.
- Ask your school's nodal officer to verify it online. After that, the district and state nodal officers verify it, and the application goes to the Ministry for sanction.
If your form is sent back as defective, you can correct it until 15 November 2026.
Renewal Rules for NMMS
You have to renew on NSP every year. A student who does not renew within the time allowed has the scholarship discontinued.
- Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12: you need clear promotion in the first attempt.
- Class 10 marks: you need at least 60% (55% for SC and ST students) for the scholarship to continue at the higher secondary stage.
- No gap: if there is a break of one academic session at any time, the scholarship is treated as discontinued, and a discontinued scholarship cannot be revived.
- Joining the next class: you must join the next class within three months of the result of the previous one.
Common Mistakes That Cost Students the Scholarship
- Thinking the test result is enough. You still have to apply on NSP before 31 October 2026.
- Wrong income proof. The certificate must show income within ₹3.5 lakh and come from the right authority.
- An unlinked bank account. Payment is by DBT, so a mismatch between Aadhaar and bank details can block it.
- Missing the school verification. If the school nodal officer does not verify before 15 November 2026, the form does not move forward.
- Skipping renewal. Selected students lose the scholarship by forgetting to renew in Class 10 or 11.
- Applying from an ineligible school. KV, JNV, private and fully residential school students do not qualify.
If You Cannot Get NMMS, Look at Other Options
NMMS is limited by state quotas and the school type. If you missed the test or study in an excluded school, there are other central and state schemes. Our complete list of scholarships in India for 2026 compares them, and students from SC and ST communities can look at the SC and ST scholarships open on NSP. If you are unsure which route fits, the Scholarlify mentorship programme connects students with advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for NMMS scholarship 2026-27?
The last date for student applications on NSP is 31 October 2026, for fresh and renewal cases. Institute verification runs until 15 November 2026, and district, state and ministry verification until 30 November 2026.
Who is eligible for the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
Students in government, government-aided or local body schools whose family income is up to ₹3.5 lakh a year, who scored at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC and ST), and who cleared their state's Class 8 selection test.
How much money does NMMS give?
₹12,000 a year, paid at ₹1,000 a month by Direct Benefit Transfer, for a maximum of four years from Class 9 to Class 12.
Do I need to apply on NSP after passing the NMMS test?
Yes. Clearing the state test makes you a selected awardee, but you must still apply on the National Scholarship Portal and get the form verified by your school and the district and state officers.
Can a private school or Kendriya Vidyalaya student get NMMS?
No. The scheme guidelines exclude students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, private schools and residential schools run by the Centre or a state where boarding and lodging are provided.
What marks do I need to renew NMMS?
You need clear promotion in the first attempt from Class 9 to 10 and from Class 11 to 12, and at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC and ST students) to continue in Classes 11 and 12.
What to Do Next
If you were selected in your state test, finish your NSP form and ask your school to verify it well before 15 November 2026. To see what else you can apply for with your category, state and class, browse the Scholarlify scholarship list.