National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)
A scholarship of ₹12,000 per year for classes 9–12, for bright students from families earning under ₹3.5 lakh, selected through a class-8 exam.
Key facts
| Scholarship | ₹12,000 per year (classes 9 to 12) |
|---|---|
| Selection | A state-level exam (MAT + SAT) taken in class 8 |
| Income limit | Family income up to ₹3.5 lakh |
| For | Students in government, aided or local-body schools |
| Paid via | National Scholarship Portal (DBT) |
| Official portal | scholarships.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected students receive ₹12,000 per year — ₹1,000 a month — for four years covering classes 9 through 12, paid directly into the student’s own bank account. Continuation requires passing classes 9 and 11 in the first attempt and meeting minimum marks in class 10.
Who can apply
- Household income ≤ ₹3,50,000/year
- For: student
- studying in government or aided school
The scholarship targets bright students from low-income families: parental income must not exceed ₹3.5 lakh a year, and the student must be studying in class 8 at a government, government-aided or local-body school (private schools and central schools such as KVs and JNVs are excluded). Selection is through a state-conducted exam, and appearing requires at least 55% marks in class 7 — relaxed to 50% for SC/ST students.
Who is not eligible
- Students in private unaided schools
- Families with income above ₹3.5 lakh
- Students already holding another central scholarship (no double benefit)
How to apply
Apply for the state selection test through your school when your state's education department issues the annual notification, usually during class 8. After selection, register on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) with bank, Aadhaar and income-certificate details, and renew the application each year.
- Apply for the state selection test through your school when the class-8 notification is issued.
- Clear the state-level NMMS exam (Mental Ability Test + Scholastic Aptitude Test).
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) with bank, Aadhaar and income-certificate details.
- Submit the application and have your school verify it.
- Renew every year through classes 9–12 by maintaining the required marks and attendance.
Documents required
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account in the student’s name
- Aadhaar card
- Previous class marksheet
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Missed the exam window | The selection test runs once a year in class 8 — watch your state education department’s annual notification. |
| Scholarship not credited | Verify your National Scholarship Portal registration, your bank-Aadhaar seeding, and that your school verified the application. |
| Renewal lapsed | Renew annually on the portal and keep up the required marks and attendance. |
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for NMMSS?
Class-8 students in government / aided / local-body schools with family income under ₹3.5 lakh, who clear the state NMMS exam.
How long does the scholarship last?
Up to four years — classes 9 to 12 — on annual renewal.
Key terms explained
- Aadhaar
- A 12-digit unique identity number issued by UIDAI. Most schemes use it to confirm identity and link your bank account for payments.
- SC / ST / OBC
- Official social categories — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes — used for reservations and targeted welfare schemes.
Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.
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