National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship 2025-26: Check Application Process, Eligibility, Benefits and Selection Criteria

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship: The NMMS is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). A total of 1,00,000 scholarships will be awarded under this scheme every year. The NMMS exams are conducted by the respective State Education Departments or SCERTs. The exam is conducted in offline mode. Those students who have passed the Class 8th exam are eligible to appear for the NMMS exam. The exam consists of two sections: MAT and SAT. The total time duration for the exam is 90 minutes. Those students who clear the NMMS scholarship exam will receive a scholarship amount of ₹12,000 per year from Class 9 to 12.

Overview of National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship

Application Process for NMMS 2025-26

Eligible students can apply for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship by following these steps:

• Click on the 'Apply Now' button on the official portal.

• Click on the 'Register' button and complete the registration details. (If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).

• Navigate to the 'Students' section on the dashboard and click on it.

• Click on the 'Login' button under the OTR option (mandatory for applying through the National Scholarship Portal).

• Click on 'New User and  Register yourself' and proceed.

• Read the instructions, tick the checkbox, and click 'Next'.

• Enter a valid mobile number, captcha, and OTP, then submit.

• Fill in the details and click on 'Save & Register' to complete the One-time registration (OTR) process.

• After the registration, go to the 'Apply for Scholarship' option and click 'Login'.

• Select the NMMS scholarship, fill in the required details, upload the documents, and submit the form.

NMMS Scholarship Application Fee

There is no application fee for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship. The scheme is designed to help students from economically weaker families continue their education without financial hurdles.

Eligibility Criteria for NMMS 2025-26

The students who wish to apply for the NMMS scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Must be an Indian national.

• Must be enrolled in Class 9 in a government, government-aided, or local body school.

• Must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class 8. (5% relaxation for SC/ST students.)

• Annual family income must be less than ₹3,50,000 from all sources.

Benefits Under NMMS Scholarship

The students who will clear the NMMS scholarship entrance exam will receive the benefits in terms of financial-aid.

• ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month).

• The scholarship will be directly credited to the students' bank accounts through DBT.

• A total of 1,00,000 scholarships will be awarded each year across India.

NMMS Renewal Criteria

To continue receiving the scholarship up to Class 12, scholars must:

• Secure at least 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class 10. (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).

• Be promoted to the next class on the first attempt in each academic year.

Selection Criteria for NMMS

The selection criteria for the NMMS scholarship includes a written entrance exam. This exam consists of two sections: MAT and SAT. The details for the exam are mentioned in this section.

• Students must appear for a state-level test while studying in Class 8.

• The test includes:

• Mental Ability Test (MAT)

• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

• Each test is of 90 minutes duration. Extra time is provided for students with disabilities as per guidelines.

• Minimum qualifying score: 40% in each test. (5% relaxation for SC/ST students.)

Documents Required for NMMS Application

Students who are going to apply for the NMMS scholarship must keep the following documents ready before registering themselves.

• Academic transcripts and marksheets of previous exams.

• Income certificate issued by a competent authority.

• Caste certificate (if applicable).

• Aadhaar card.

• Bank details of an Aadhaar-seeded account.

• Disability certificate (if applicable).