National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Deadline Extended to September 30

The Ministry of Education has extended the national application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). Eligible and meritorious students can now complete their submissions on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until September 30, 2026. (while specific state-level exam applications like Uttar Pradesh have extended to September 29, 2026).

Revised Schedule for NMMSS 2026–27

About the Scheme

Implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education, the NMMSS aims to support talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, curtail dropout rates after Class VIII, and assist them through their secondary and higher secondary education (Classes IX to XII).

• Coverage & Amount: One lakh fresh scholarships are awarded annually to qualifying Class IX students across the country, with annual renewals up to Class XII subject to satisfactory performance. Each beneficiary receives ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month).
• Fund Disbursement: The scholarship is transferred directly into students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
• Eligible Schools: Only students enrolled in state government, government-aided, and local body schools are eligible.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Parental Income: Total family income from all sources must not exceed ₹3.50 lakh per year.
• Academic Threshold: Candidates must have scored at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in Class VII to qualify for the entrance test, with a 5% relaxation provided to SC/ST students.

Application & Verification Process

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): Applications opened on June 1, 2026. Applicants must first complete the mandatory OTR on the NSP platform before submitting their specific scholarship form.
2. Current Submissions: As of August 31, 2026, the portal has logged 79,398 fresh applications and 1,87,208 renewal requests.
3. Institutional Verification: Students are strongly advised not only to submit their applications prior to the September 30 deadline but also to track and ensure that both Level-1 (Institute level) and Level-2 (District level) verifications are completed by the respective nodal officers before the October cutoff dates.