What benefits does the NMMSS provide?

Selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) from Class IX to XII, totaling ₹48,000 over four years.

Who is eligible to apply for the NMMSS?

Students studying in government, government-aided, or local body schools with a parental income not exceeding ₹3,50,000 per annum are eligible. They must have scored at least 55% marks in Class VII to appear for the selection test (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students).

What is the selection process for the scholarship?

Each State/UT conducts a selection test for Class VIII students, comprising a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students must pass both tests with at least 40% aggregate marks (32% for SC/ST students) to be considered for the scholarship.

Are students from all schools eligible for the NMMSS?

No, students enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), residential schools, or private schools are not eligible for this scholarship.

What are the renewal criteria for the scholarship?

To renew the scholarship in Classes X and XII, awardees must score at least 60% marks in Class X (55% for SC/ST students) and secure promotion from Class IX to X and Class XI to XII in the first attempt.

What benefits does the NMMSS provide?

Selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) from Class IX to XII, totaling ₹48,000 over four years.

Who is eligible to apply for the NMMSS?

Students studying in government, government-aided, or local body schools with a parental income not exceeding ₹3,50,000 per annum are eligible. They must have scored at least 55% marks in Class VII to appear for the selection test (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students).

What is the selection process for the scholarship?

Each State/UT conducts a selection test for Class VIII students, comprising a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students must pass both tests with at least 40% aggregate marks (32% for SC/ST students) to be considered for the scholarship.

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National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility, & Application Process

Pragya Pathak

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Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:24 AM

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility, & Application Process

The education sector is not just a sector that contributes to a nation’s development and growth but it is also a sector that helps in shaping all of our lives. Education is not only our birthright but a right without which children would face significant difficulties while growing up. Ironically, this birthright isn’t enjoyed by every child, especially those who come from the economically weaker section of society.

To ensure that education remains accessible for everyone irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, the government of India introduced a scholarship scheme called the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) under the purview of the Ministry of Education. The govt. scheme is designed to support students, especially those who come from the economically weaker section of society who drop out of school due to a financial burden. The scheme gives a chance to all those who want to pursue education and build their careers.

Overview

Name of the scheme	NMMS
Full form	National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme
Launched by	Government of India
Launched in	2008
Ministry	Ministry of Education
Objective	To reduce the dropout rates of students after 8th class
Amount of the scholarship	Rs. 12000 p.a.
Selection process	State-level exams (MAT and SAT)
Application mode	Online

What Is NMMS?

The government of India introduced the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) under the Ministry of Education in the year 2008. The govt. scheme aims to support students from the economically weaker section of society so that they complete their education at least till the class of 12th.

Registered students are entitled to receive financial aid of Rs. 12000 per year to complete their education. The scheme helps students build a sturdy foundation for their futures.

Benefits Of NMMS

There are several benefits of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme. Some of the benefits are listed below:

Financial aid: Students are awarded scholarships worth Rs. 12000 per year so that their families don’t have to experience any financial burden.
Higher education: The govt. scheme encourages students to pursue their higher education and work toward whatever profession they are interested in.
Reduce dropout rates: NMMS also aims to reduce the dropout rates from schools =, especially of those students who come from the economically weaker section of society.
Wide coverage: The scheme is implemented across India and ensures that every student, no matter their socio-economic background or geographical location remains deprived of education.

Worth Of The NMMS Scholarship

The NMMS exam scholarship amount is worth Rs. 12000 per year which is released in monthly instalments of Rs. 1000. The amount is transferred directly into the bank accounts of students through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Eligibility Criteria Of NMMS

Interested students first need to ensure whether they fit into the eligibility criteria or not. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

Students must be in the class of 8th from a recognized govt. body school.
The annual income of the student’s family shouldn’t be more than Rs. 3,50,000.
Students must have a minimum of 55% marks in class 7th (50% for students who come from the SC/ST communities).

Selection Process Of NMMS

The selection process of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme comprises two papers. Those two papers are:

Mental Ability Test (MAT: MAT comprises aspects like reasoning, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): SAT examines a student’s knowledge about the studied subjects like science, mathematics, social studies, etc.

Application Process Of NMMS

The application process for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is simple. The steps are mentioned below:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of NSP.

Step 2: Click on ‘Students’.

Step 3: Register on the portal using your details like name, contact information, etc.

Step 4: After registration, log in using your credentials.

Step 5: Select ‘NMMS’ from the list of scholarships.

Step 6: Fill in your details in the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme application form and apply for the scholarship.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit some supporting documents as well to successfully apply for the scholarship. The list of the documents is as follows:

Aadhaar card
Income certificate
Caste certificate (if needed)
Domicile certificate
Mark sheet of class 7th
Bank account details

How To Track The Status Of the Payment?

Applicants can track the status of their payments made for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme application form can do so by following the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of NSP.

Step 2: Click on ‘Students’.

Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Track your payment’ option.

Step 4: Fill in the necessary details and check the status of your payment.

Conclusion

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) is a significant scholarship scheme introduced by the government that allows students to complete the foundational level of education without any financial baggage.

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