NMMS 2026-27 application ongoing: apply by November 30 for Rajasthan, November 3 for Tamil Nadu

Applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2026-27 are currently being accepted across various states for Class 8 students. The scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to support their education from Class 9 to Class 12.

The NMMS scheme, launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, offers a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year. The application process is state-wise, with deadlines varying significantly across the country, and several states have closing dates in late October and November 2026.

NMMS 2026-27 Application Deadlines and Modes

The application forms for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship 2026-27 have been released by State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) in multiple states. While some states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have already released their forms, other states have ongoing application periods.

For instance, the application window for NMMS Rajasthan Form is from October 30 to November 30, 2026, and applications are submitted online through schools. In contrast, the deadline for NMMS Tamil Nadu was November 3, 2026, with offline applications submitted through schools. Gujarat’s application period concluded on October 30, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria and Scholarship Details

To be eligible for the NMMS 2026-27, students must currently be studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or state board school. They must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in their Class 7 final examination, with a relaxation to 50% for SC/ST students. The annual income of the student’s parents from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000.

Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), Sainik Schools, private unaided schools, and government-run residential schools are not eligible for this scholarship. The scholarship amount of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) is disbursed directly to students’ bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

Examination Structure and Odisha Schedule

The NMMS examination is a national-level test conducted by the State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs). It consists of two papers: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Each paper comprises 90 questions and is 90 minutes long, conducted offline at the state level.

The examination schedule for Odisha has been released, detailing the application and examination process. The online filling of application forms and submission of hard copies to schools concluded on October 2, 2026. Verification by the District Education Office was completed by October 25, 2026. Admit cards for the Odisha exam will be available for download from November 30 to December 6, 2026, with the examination scheduled for December 6, 2026.

Application Process and Fees

The application process for NMMS involves two stages. Initially, students apply through their respective state SCERT or state education department portal for the selection exam. Those who qualify the state exam then need to register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in by completing the One-Time Registration (OTR).

Direct registration on the NSP portal is free of charge. However, registration via a Common Service Centre (CSC) incurs a fee of ₹30 per candidate, inclusive of all applicable taxes. The state SCERT exam registration fee varies by state and should be checked on the respective state SCERT portal.

1. Students must visit the conducting authority’s website and check the latest updates section.
2. Click on the “Apply Now” button.
3. Enter all the required details in the online application form.
4. Click on the Submit button.
5. Take a printout of the online application form.
6. Submit two attested hard copies of the application form with essential documents to the respective school.
7. The head of school must forward the applications to nodal schools and retain one copy for school records.
8. For offline applications, students can obtain the NMMS Application form from their schools.
9. Students who clear the state exam must register on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in by completing the OTR.

Further reading

• NMMS Tamil Nadu 2026-27 applications open: apply by November 3
• NMMS 2026-27 application forms open; state deadlines vary, apply by November 8
• UPESSC PRT recruitment 2026 application deadline extended: apply by 4 November
• RRB Station Master recruitment 2026 application begins: apply for 1,250 posts by November 25
• BPSC TRE 4.0 application deadline extended: apply for 33,320 vacancies by November 3

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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