Deadline Extended for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Applications: What You Need to Know

The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) to September 30 for the 2026-27 academic year. This initiative aims to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections, helping them continue their education. With over 79,000 new applications already submitted, eligible students are encouraged to apply through the National Scholarship Portal. The scholarship offers Rs 12,000 annually and is available for students in state government and aided schools. Find out more about the eligibility criteria and application process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 1, 2026, 19:32 IST

Application Deadline Extended for NMMSS

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has announced an extension for the submission of applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year 2026-27, now due by September 30. Previously, the cutoff was set for August 31.

As of now, a total of 79,398 new applications and 1,87,208 renewal requests have been received for the upcoming academic year.

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has been accepting applications since June 1.

The NMMSS, managed by the Ministry of Education, aims to provide scholarships to deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, helping to reduce dropout rates after class 8 and motivating them to continue their education through to higher secondary levels.

Each year, the scheme offers 100,000 scholarships for students entering class 9 who pass the qualifying examination administered by state or union territory governments. Scholarships can be renewed for classes 10 through 12 based on the students' academic performance.

For the 2026-27 academic year, students selected for the scholarship must complete a one-time registration (OTR) on the NSP before applying for their chosen scholarship scheme, as stated by the Ministry.

This scholarship is available exclusively to students enrolled in state government, government-aided, and local body schools, providing an annual amount of Rs 12,000 per student.

Funds from the NMMSS are transferred directly to the bank accounts of the selected students via electronic transfer through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have a parental income not exceeding Rs 3.50 lakh per year and must achieve at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in their class 7 examination to be eligible for the selection test (with a 5% relaxation for SC and ST students).

The NMMSS operates through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which serves as a comprehensive platform for scholarship schemes provided by the government.

Eligible students are encouraged to finalize their scholarship applications on the portal within the newly extended deadline. Those who have already submitted their applications should ensure that they are verified by the relevant institutions, district, or state nodal officers as necessary.