NMMS 2026-27: Apply by Oct/Nov deadlines for various states

The application process for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) for the 2026-27 academic year is currently open for students from economically weaker sections across several states. The scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students to enable them to continue their education at the secondary and higher secondary levels, reducing dropout rates due to financial constraints.

The NMMS scheme, a centrally sponsored program by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, was introduced in 2008 and approved for continuation until the financial year 2025-26 with a budget of ₹1,827 crores. Annually, 100,000 new scholarships are awarded to eligible Class 9 students, renewable up to Class 12, provided they study in State Government, Government-aided, or local body schools.

Application Process and Key Dates for NMMS 2026-27

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship application forms for the 2026-27 cycle have been released for states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The application dates vary significantly by state, with several deadlines approaching in October and November 2026. Students are advised to check the specific dates for their respective states.

Applications are primarily submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or, in some states, offline through schools. Required documents typically include an Aadhaar Card, Income Certificate, Caste Certificate (if applicable), previous year’s mark sheet, bank account details, a passport-size photograph, and a continuation certificate from the current school. Students must register as new users on the NSP and fill in all details, uploading necessary documents within the prescribed period. The scholarship amount, increased to ₹12,000 per year from April 1, 2017, is disbursed at ₹1,000 per month directly to students’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process

To be eligible for the NMMS 2026-27 scholarship, students must currently be studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or state board school. Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools run by central or state government institutions, and private schools are not eligible. The parental income of the student from all sources should not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum at the time of selection.

For the scholarship selection test, students must have secured a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grades in their Class VII examination, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students. The NMMS examination, conducted by the State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), generally consists of two tests: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Both tests comprise 90 multiple-choice questions and are 90 minutes long, with additional time for children with disabilities. Students must pass both MAT and SAT with at least 40% marks in aggregate (32% for SC/ST students) and score at least 55% marks in their Class VIII examination (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students) at the time of selection. The scholarship is granted for a maximum period of four years, covering students from Class IX to Class XII.

Further reading

• NMMS 2026-27 application forms open; state deadlines vary, apply by November 8
• NMMS 2026-27: Apply by October 31 on National Scholarship Portal
• NMMS: Class 8 students, apply by October 31, 2026
• NMMS Tamil Nadu 2026-27 applications open: apply by November 3
• NMMS 2026-27: Apply on NSP by October 31; state dates vary

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.

View all posts →