Nmms 2025 scholarship scheme apply online:The registration process for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) examination is currently open, with the last date to apply being August 31, 2025, in most regions. This scholarship is intended for Class 9 to 12 students studying in government, government-aided, or local body schools who come from economically weaker backgrounds. To be eligible, the combined annual income of the student’s parents must not exceed ₹3.5 lakh. The scheme awards 1 lakh scholarships each year, providing ₹12,000 annually to selected students. It aims to reduce dropout rates after Class 8 and encourage students to continue their education.
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) 2025-26 is an initiative by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Every year, a total of 1,00,000 scholarships are allocated under this scheme. The NMMS scholarship is provided by slecting candidates through a scholarship exam.
Nmms Scholarship 2025
The scholarship 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.
By providing an annual scholarship of ₹12,000 to students from Class 9 to 12 studying in government, government-aided, or local body schools, the scheme directly tackles the economic barriers that often limit access to education. Eligibility is determined through a merit-based selection process and focuses on students whose family income does not exceed ₹3,50,000 per year. This article explores the key features, eligibility criteria, selection process, and overall impact of the NMMS, shedding light on how it continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young learners across the country.
NMMS – Important Dates
| Event | Deadline |
| Scheme Open From | 02 June 2025 |
| Student Application Open Till | 31 August 2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Open Till | 15 September 2025 |
| Institute Verification Open Till | 15 September 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Open Till | 30 September 2025 |
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.
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).
Read More-LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship 2025
How to Apply for NMMS 2025
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.