NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 – Notification, Eligibility & Application Process
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2026-27 is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, offering financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections. It is open to students studying in Class 9 to 12 in government, government-aided, or local body schools, provided their annual family income does not exceed ₹3,50,000. NMMS is a paid scholarship of ₹12,000 per year, and applications for 2026-27 are being accepted state-wise through the National Scholarship Portal.
Latest Update: NMMS application forms for the academic year 2026-27 have been released on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Fresh and renewal applications are open, with state-wise last dates expected between September and November 2026 based on prior-year trends.
NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 – Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) |
| Conducted By | Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, through State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) |
| Mode of Application | Online via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| Applicable Classes | Class 9 to Class 12 (selection test held at Class 8 level) |
| Eligibility (Income) | Annual family income not exceeding ₹3,50,000 |
| Eligibility (Academic) | State-prescribed minimum marks in the qualifying class (commonly around 55% in Class 7/8, relaxable for SC/ST/PH candidates) |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) |
| Total Scholarships Awarded | 1,00,000 per year across India |
| Selection Basis | State-level MAT + SAT written test |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 Important Dates
NMMS application dates are notified separately by each state, since the scheme is implemented through state SCERTs and education departments. Based on the 2026-27 cycle, the National Scholarship Portal has been activated and the broad national timeline is as follows.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NMMS 2026-27 application release on NSP | June 2026 onwards |
| Submission of fresh/renewal applications | Continues through October 2026 (state-wise last dates vary) |
| Defective application correction window | December 2026 |
| Institute-level verification | December 2026 |
| District/State/Ministry-level verification | December 2026 onwards |
| NMMS selection test (MAT + SAT) | November/December 2026 – January 2027 (state-specific) |
| NMMS Result declaration | Announced state-wise by respective SCERTs |
Note: Since NMMS last dates differ by state, always cross-check your state's exact deadline on your state SCERT's official website or the National Scholarship Portal before applying, so you don't miss the NMMS scholarship last date 2026 for your region.
Is NMMS Scholarship Paid or Unpaid? Stipend Details
The NMMS Scholarship is a paid scholarship. Selected students receive ₹12,000 annually, credited as ₹1,000 per month directly into their bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Continuation of the NMMS scholarship amount each year depends on the student maintaining the required academic performance and staying within the family income ceiling of ₹3,50,000. Students are advised to open an account with the State Bank of India or another core-banking-enabled public sector bank to receive disbursements without delay.
NMMS Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026-27
Before filling the NMMS application form, students should confirm they meet all eligibility conditions, since incomplete or ineligible applications are rejected during institute-level verification.
In brief: Applicants must be studying in Class 9 to 12 at a government, government-aided, or local body school, come from a family with annual income up to ₹3,50,000, and meet the minimum qualifying marks set by their state (commonly 55% at Class 7/8 level, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST/PH candidates). Students already receiving another central government scholarship, or studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, or private/residential institutions, cannot apply.
Eligibility for Fresh (Class 9) Applicants
- Must be promoted from Class 8 to Class 9 in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
- Must meet the state-prescribed minimum marks in the Class 7 or Class 8 qualifying examination (typically around 55%, relaxable by 5% for SC/ST/PH candidates).
- Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000.
- Must not be enrolled in a Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sainik School, or any private/residential school.
Eligibility for Continuation in Class 10, 11 & 12
- To continue the scholarship into Class 10, the student must be promoted from Class 9 to Class 10 in the first attempt.
- To continue into Class 11, a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PH candidates) is required in the Class 10 board examination.
- To continue into Class 12, the student must be promoted from Class 11 to Class 12 in the first attempt.
- The scholarship is discontinued if the renewal application is not submitted within the notified timeframe each year.
Who Is Not Eligible for NMMS Scholarship 2026-27
- Students of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) schools.
- Students of Sainik Schools and private, unaided schools.
- Students enrolled in boarding or residential schools run by state government institutions.
- Students already availing a scholarship or stipend under any other Central Government scheme.
- Students pursuing courses abroad or diploma/certificate-level programmes (NMMS applies only to regular Class 9-12 study in India).
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class | 9 to 12 (selection test at Class 8 level) |
| School Type | Government, government-aided, or local body school only |
| Annual Family Income | Up to ₹3,50,000 |
| Minimum Marks (Selection) | ~55% in qualifying class (50% for SC/ST/PH, as per state notification) |
| Minimum Marks (Class 10 → 11 continuation) | 60% (55% for SC/ST/PH) |
| Other Scholarships | Must not be receiving any other Central Government scholarship |
How to Apply for NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 - Step by Step
NMMS applications are submitted only through the National Scholarship Portal. Every applicant must first complete One-Time Registration (OTR) before filling the actual scholarship form.
Step-by-Step NMMS Application Process
- Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Click on "Apply For One-Time Registration (OTR)" if you're a new user.
- Register using your Aadhaar number, mobile number, and OTP verification.
- Complete the mandatory eKYC/face-authentication process to generate your OTR number.
- Log in again using your OTR credentials and select "Apply for Scholarship."
- Choose the NMMS scheme and fill in personal, academic, income, and bank details.
- Upload all required documents in the specified format and file size.
- Review your application carefully and submit it before your state's NMMS last date.
- Note down your application/registration number for future tracking and renewal.
Students who already hold a valid OTR number from a previous NSP application do not need to register again - they can log in directly and apply for NMMS under the "Apply for Scholarship" section.
Documents Required for NMMS Scholarship
Keep the following documents ready (scanned copies) before starting your NMMS application. Exact requirements may vary slightly by state, so always confirm against your state's official notification.
- Aadhaar Card
- Income certificate confirming annual family income is below ₹3,50,000
- Latest mark sheet (Class 7 or Class 8, as applicable)
- Caste certificate, if applying under SC/ST/OBC category
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Proof of residence
- Bank account passbook details (preferably SBI or a core-banking-enabled public sector bank)
- Two recent passport-size photographs
NMMS Exam Pattern & Cutoff 2026-27
Selection to NMMS is made through a state-level written test comprising two papers, conducted by each state's SCERT.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 MCQs | 90 | 90 minutes |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 MCQs (covering Maths, Science, Social Science) | 90 | 90 minutes |
There is no negative marking in the NMMS exam. MAT assesses reasoning skills through analogy, classification, pattern perception, and numerical series, while SAT tests subject knowledge from the Class 7 and Class 8 syllabus.
NMMS Cutoff 2026-27 (Qualifying Marks)
| Paper | General Category | Reserved Category (SC/ST/PH) |
|---|---|---|
| MAT | 40% | 32% |
| SAT | 40% | 32% |
How to Check NMMS Result 2026-27
- Visit the official website of your respective state's SCERT.
- Look for the "NMMS Result" or "Result" link on the homepage.
- Open the linked PDF merit list.
- Search for your name, roll number, or district within the PDF to check your rank and scores.
The final merit list typically includes the student's name, school, roll number, rank, and category-wise cutoff status. Results are declared separately by each state SCERT, so there is no single national NMMS result date.
NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 – Important Links
- National Scholarship Portal (Apply Online / OTR / Login): scholarships.gov.in
- Know Your OTR / Forgot Registration Number: available under the Login section on NSP
- State-wise NMMS Portals: check your respective state SCERT/education department website
Disclaimer: This article compiles NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 details from official government sources and the National Scholarship Portal. Application windows, cutoff marks, and document requirements can vary by state - always cross-check the exact figures against your state SCERT's official notification before applying. This page is not affiliated with any government body.
