Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Govt of India |
| Benefit | Rs 12,000 a year, paid by DBT to the student's bank account |
| Who can apply | Meritorious Class IX students from low-income families in government or government-aided schools |
| How it is paid | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank account, through PFMS |
| Apply at | scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal) or a Common Service Centre |
| Cost to apply | Free on the portal. A CSC charges Rs 30 for the full service |
Key points
- Rs 12,000 a year, renewed from Class X to XII on academic performance.
- Parental income must not be more than Rs 3.50 lakh a year.
- You must qualify in the selection test held by your state or UT government.
- Only students in government, government-aided or local body schools can apply.
So what exactly does a student get?
Selected students receive Rs 12,000 every year.
The money is transferred directly into the student's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer system under PFMS.
The scholarship starts in Class IX and is renewed every year from Class X to XII, if the academic criteria are met.
Amounts can change, so readers should confirm the current figure on scholarships.gov.in.
Who can apply, and who cannot?
The student must have secured at least 55% marks, or an equivalent grade, in Class VII.
Students from SC and ST categories get a relaxation of 5 percentage points, so they need at least 50%.
The parents' annual income must not be more than Rs 3.50 lakh.
Only students enrolled in state government, government-aided or local body schools are eligible.
The student must qualify in the selection examination held by the state or UT government.
Why does this scheme exist?
The scheme is run by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education.
Its aim is to reduce the dropout rate after Class VIII.
It helps meritorious students from weaker economic backgrounds keep studying up to higher secondary level.
One lakh new scholarships are sanctioned every year for Class IX students.
Which documents should you keep ready?
Keep your Aadhaar card, and the student's and parent's details ready.
Keep your bank account details, with the account linked to Aadhaar.
Keep your school details and Class VII marks sheet.
Keep your income certificate for the parents, and your caste certificate if you are from SC or ST.
Your state's selection test details will also be needed.
How do you apply online, step by step?
Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on scholarships.gov.in first. This needs Aadhaar and face authentication.
After OTR, log in and fill in the NMMSS application form with your personal, school and income details.
Submit the form. Your school then does the first-level verification, and the district officer does the second-level check.
The application window for 2026-27 opened on 1 June 2026. The student deadline is 31 October 2026, and the verification deadlines are later in November and December 2026.
- 1Complete One-Time RegistrationRegister on scholarships.gov.in first. This needs Aadhaar and face authentication.
- 2Fill the NMMSS application formLog in after OTR and enter your personal, school and income details.
- 3Submit the formYour school does first-level verification and the district officer does the second-level check.
- 4Meet the deadlinesStudent deadline for 2026-27 is 31 October 2026. Verification runs to November and December 2026.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Can you apply at a Common Service Centre?
Yes. NSP services are available at Common Service Centres (CSCs).
The CSC charges Rs 30 for the full process, including OTR, biometric authentication and filling the form.
Find the nearest centre at locator.csccloud.in.
Never pay an agent or anyone claiming to get you the scholarship faster. Apply only through the portal or an official CSC.
What if your face authentication fails, or the scholarship is stuck?
If you get error 904 during face authentication, update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store.
Check that your Aadhaar biometric lock is set to Unlocked, using the mAadhaar app or the My Aadhaar web portal.
Track your application status on the NSP portal. Contact your school if verification is pending.
For help, use the helpline and contact details listed on scholarships.gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a last date to apply?
For 2026-27, the student deadline was extended to 31 October 2026. Verification deadlines run to November and December 2026, so check scholarships.gov.in for the latest dates.
Is the scholarship renewed every year?
Yes. It is renewed from Class X to XII if you meet the academic criteria.
Can I apply without a CSC?
Yes. You can apply directly on scholarships.gov.in. A CSC is an option if you need help.
Is the NMMSS only for Class IX students?
New scholarships are for Class IX students. Existing beneficiaries get renewals in Classes X to XII.
Do private school students qualify?
No. Only students in government, government-aided or local body schools are eligible.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
