National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship 2025

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), launched by the Ministry of Education in 2008, is designed to support talented students hailing from economically weaker sections. Its primary goal is to reduce dropout rates after Class 8 and encourage students to continue their education at the secondary level. Each year, the scheme awards one lakh new scholarships to students progressing to Class 9, with the possibility of renewal through Class 12, as long as students maintain satisfactory academic performance. Each scholarship is valued at ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) and is transferred directly to students’ bank accounts via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.

Since its inception, the NMMSS has sanctioned over 22 lakh scholarships till the 2020-21 academic year, with a total disbursal of ₹1,783.03 crore. The scheme has been extended through the 15th Finance Commission cycle, spanning from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with a total financial outlay of ₹1,827 crore, aiming to benefit approximately 14.76 lakh students. Eligibility criteria include a parental income limit of ₹3.5 lakh per annum and a minimum of 55% marks in the Class VII examination, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria

Application is open to Indian nationals pursuing studies in Class 9 in a government, government-aided or local body school.
Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class 8.
A relaxation of 5% will be provided to Scheduled Caste/Tribe students.
The annual family income must not exceed ₹3,50,000 from all sources combined.

Students enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are ineligible for scholarships under this scheme. Likewise, students attending residential schools operated by central or state government institutions, which provide boarding, lodging, and education, are also ineligible. Additionally, students enrolled and pursuing studies in private schools cannot receive scholarships under this scheme.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: Rewards

Selected candidates will receive an annual scholarship of ₹12,000, i.e. ₹1,000 per month.
A total of 1,00,000 scholarships will be awarded under this scheme.
This scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of 4 years. For renewal and continuation, applicants must score at least 60% or an equivalent grade in the process of getting promoted to higher classes in their first attempt.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: Required Documentation

Academic transcripts (marksheets & certificates) of previous qualifying examinations
Income certificate issued by a competent authority
Caste certificate (if applicable)
Aadhaar card
Bank details of Aadhaar-seeded account
Disability certificate (if applicable)

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: Application & Timeline

Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Navigate to the ‘Students’ option on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
Now, click on the ‘Login’ button under the OTR option, as it is required to apply for a scholarship on the NSP.
Click on the ‘New user? Register yourself’ on the left-hand side of the dashboard.
Read the details carefully, tick the checkbox, and click on the ‘Next’ button.
Enter a functional mobile number, captcha code, and OTP, and complete the registration process.
Fill in the required details and click on ‘Save & Register’ to complete the ‘One-Time Registration (OTR)’ process.

(Note:- This is a temporary registration number; students must download the OTR mobile application for face authentication to complete the OTR process.)

After successful registration, navigate to the ‘Apply for Scholarship’ option and click on the ‘Login’ button.
Select the scholarship, fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents and submit.

Applications for the academic year 2025 are yet to go live. All eligible applicants are advised to check the NSP website regularly for updates. Once the scholarship application window is open, complete the application form accurately. Once submitted, no changes can be made. Furthermore, submitting multiple applications will lead to disqualification.

Also Read: How to Apply for NMMS Scholarship?

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: Selection Process

Each State/UT will conduct a separate test in Class 8 for the NMMS selection. This test will consist of:

Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Each test will be 90 minutes long, consisting of 90 multiple-choice questions to test verbal and non-verbal meta-cognitive abilities like reasoning and critical thinking. The questions in the test may be on analogy, classification, numerical series, pattern perception, hidden figure, etc. Students must secure a minimum score of 40% in each test to qualify for the scholarship, which will be relaxed by 5% for Scheduled Caste/Tribe students.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: FAQs

What is the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)?

Launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Education, the NMMSS provides financial support to talented students from economically weaker sections to help them continue education beyond Class 8.

What is the main objective of the NMMSS?

The primary goal is to reduce dropout rates after Class 8 and encourage students to complete secondary school education.

How many scholarships are awarded each year under NMMSS?

Each year, 1,00,000 new scholarships are awarded to Class 9 students, renewable up to Class 12.

What is the scholarship amount offered under NMMSS?

Eligible students receive ₹12,000 annually (₹1,000 per month), credited directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via DBT.

Who is eligible for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship?

Students in Class 9 at a government, government-aided, or local body school with at least 60% in Class 8 (5% relaxation for SC/ST) and a family income not exceeding ₹3.5 lakh annually.

Which students are ineligible for the NMMSS?

Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, private schools, or fully residential government schools are not eligible.

What are the academic requirements to continue receiving the scholarship?

Students must maintain at least 60% marks annually and be promoted to the next class on the first attempt.

What are the documents required for the NMMSS application?

Applicants need academic transcripts, income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar card, Aadhaar-linked bank details, and a disability certificate (if applicable).

How do students apply for the NMMSS?

Eligible students must apply via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using the One-Time Registration (OTR) process with mobile verification and face authentication.

When will the applications for NMMSS 2025 open?

Applications for the 2025 session are not open yet. Students should check the NSP website regularly for updates.

Can students submit multiple applications for the NMMSS?

No, only one accurate and complete application is allowed. Multiple submissions will lead to disqualification.

What is the selection process for NMMSS?

States/UTs conduct a selection test in Class 8 comprising a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), each with 90 questions over 90 minutes.

What are the passing marks for the MAT and SAT tests?

General students must score at least 40% in each paper. SC/ST students require a minimum of 35% due to 5% relaxation.