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.
- Level
- Central scheme
- Category
- Education, Scholarship
- Benefit
- ₹12,000 per year — For four years, classes 9 to 12
Who is eligible?
- 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.
What you get
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.
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.
Documents needed
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account in the student’s name
- Aadhaar card
- Previous class marksheet
Source: National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in), Department of School Education & Literacy. Facts pending re-verification against the official source — confirm details there before applying.