Students seeking financial assistance through the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2026-27 academic year can now submit their applications within the extended deadline.

The Ministry of Education has extended the deadline for applications under the NMMSS for the 2026-27 academic session. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online through the National Scholarship Portal .

The extension provides applicants with additional time to complete the application process and allows the concerned authorities to carry out the required verification within the revised schedule.

Revised NMMSS Schedule

Application Details

The NMMSS application window opened on June 1, 2026. Students are required to complete their One-Time Registration (OTR) on the scholarship portal before proceeding with the scholarship application.

Applicants who have already submitted their forms should regularly check their application status and make sure the necessary verification is completed within the prescribed timeline.

Applications Submitted So Far

Data available on the scholarship portal as of September 30, 2026, indicates that the following applications had been submitted:

What Is the NMMSS?

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is a Central Sector scholarship programme intended to provide financial support to meritorious students from economically weaker families.

The scheme aims to encourage students to continue their education after Class 8. Financial assistance is available from Class 9 through Class 12, subject to the applicable conditions.

Every year, up to one lakh new scholarships are offered to eligible Class 9 students who qualify through the selection examination conducted by the respective state or Union Territory authorities.

Scholarship Amount

Students studying in state government, government-aided and local body schools can receive financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year.

The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Eligibility Requirements

Students intending to appear for the NMMSS selection examination must meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.

• Applicants should have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in Class 7.
• A relaxation of 5 percentage points is available for students belonging to the SC and ST categories.
• The applicant's annual parental income should not exceed Rs. 3.50 lakh.
• Students must satisfy the applicable requirements for participation in the state or Union Territory selection process.

Renewal of Scholarship

Students who receive the scholarship in Class 9 can continue to receive support in Classes 10, 11 and 12, provided they satisfy the prescribed academic and renewal requirements.