The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2026 to October 31. This extension gives eligible students more time to apply for the scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The NMMSS aims to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections to continue their education from Class 9 to Class 12.
- Application deadline extended to October 31, 2026
- Students must have at least 55% marks in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST)
- Parental income should not exceed Rs 3.50 lakh per annum
- Scholarship amount is Rs 12,000 per annum, paid via direct bank transfer
- Applications must be verified by Institute and District Nodal Officers by mid and end of November
Who is eligible for the NMMSS Scholarship 2026?
To apply for the NMMSS Scholarship 2026, students must have secured at least 55 percent marks or an equivalent grade in Class 7. There is a relaxation of 5 percentage points for students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Additionally, the parental income of the applicant should not exceed Rs 3.50 lakh per annum. This ensures that the scholarship supports students from economically weaker backgrounds.
How can students apply for the scholarship?
Students interested in the NMMSS Scholarship must complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal before applying. The portal is accessible at scholarships.gov.in. The application process for the academic year 2026-27 began on June 1. With the extended deadline, students now have until October 31 to submit their applications.
What happens after submitting the application?
After submitting their applications, students must ensure that their applications are verified by the Institute Nodal Officer by November 15. Following this, the District Nodal Officer must verify the applications by November 30. This verification process is essential for the approval and disbursal of the scholarship funds.
What benefits does the scholarship provide?
The NMMSS Scholarship provides Rs 12,000 per annum to eligible students. This amount is transferred directly to the students' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scholarship supports students studying in state government, government-aided, and local body schools. It encourages students to continue their education beyond Class 8 up to Class 12.
How many scholarships are offered annually?
The scheme offers one lakh fresh scholarships every year to eligible Class 9 students who qualify in the selection examination conducted by their respective State or Union Territory governments. The scholarship continues from Classes 10 to 12 through renewals, provided the students meet the prescribed academic requirements.
What is the current status of applications?
As of September 30, a total of 88,522 fresh applications and 197,133 renewal applications have been submitted for the NMMSS Scholarship 2026. The extension of the deadline is expected to allow more students to apply and benefit from the scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for the NMMSS Scholarship?
A: Students who have secured at least 55% marks in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST) and whose parental income does not exceed Rs 3.50 lakh per annum are eligible to apply.
Q: How much is the scholarship amount?
A: The scholarship amount is Rs 12,000 per annum, paid directly to the student's bank account.
Q: What is the last date to apply for the NMMSS Scholarship 2026?
A: The application deadline has been extended to October 31, 2026.
Q: How is the scholarship disbursed?
A: The scholarship amount is transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's bank account.
