NMMS 2026-27: Apply by October 31 for fresh and renewal forms

The application window for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) for the 2026-27 academic year is ongoing, with an extended deadline of October 31, 2026, for both fresh and renewal applications on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). This scholarship is open to students currently studying in Class 8 at government, government-aided, or state board schools across India.

The NMMS scheme, administered by the State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and the Ministry of Education, aims to provide financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year to eligible students. The Ministry of Education had released an official update on October 15, 2026, and an application deadline extension on October 1, 2026, for the scheme which offers 1 lakh fresh scholarships annually.

NMMS Application Deadlines and Mode by State

Application deadlines for the NMMS vary significantly by state, with some states having already closed their windows while others remain open. Students are required to register either online or offline, typically through their respective schools. The latest extended deadline for submitting applications on the National Scholarship Portal is October 31, 2026.

For instance, the application period for NMMS Rajasthan Form is from October 30 to November 30, 2026, through schools online. NMMS Tamil Nadu applications are open from October 26 to November 3, 2026, offline through schools. The application period for NMMS Gujarat was extended and is from October 15 to November 5, 2026, offline through schools. Similarly, NMMS Karnataka Form applications, also extended, are from September 23 to November 7, 2026, online. NMMS Uttarakhand Form applications close on October 31, 2026, for offline submissions through schools.

Eligibility Criteria and Scholarship Details

To be eligible for the NMMS scholarship, students must be studying in Class 8 at a government, government-aided, or state board school. They must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in their Class 7 examination, with a 5 percentage point relaxation (50%) for SC/ST students. The combined annual income of the parents should not exceed ₹3,50,000. Students from private schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), and ineligible residential schools are not eligible for this scholarship.

The selection process involves a State/UT selection test at the Class 8 stage. Students who qualify this examination receive a fresh NMMSS scholarship starting from Class 9. The continuation of the scholarship for Classes 10 to 12 is contingent upon fulfilling prescribed academic and renewal conditions. The scholarship provides ₹12,000 per year to selected students.

Application Process and Verification

Students applying for the NMMS scholarship must first complete a One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Following registration, applicants need to log in to the NSP and select NMMSS from the available scheme options. The application form requires details such as Aadhaar, bank account information, income certificate, academic records, and caste certificate if applicable. After filling in the details, applicants must review the information before submission and save the acknowledgement.

The verification process for submitted applications involves two levels. L1 Verification by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) is scheduled to be completed by November 15, 2026. Then, L2 Verification by the District Nodal Officer (DNO) is set so by November 30, 2026. Applicants are advised to regularly check their institute and district verification status on the NSP.

Further reading

• NMMS 2026-27: Apply by October 31 on National Scholarship Portal
• NMMS: Class 8 students, apply by October 31, 2026
• NMMS 2026-27: Apply on NSP by October 31; state dates vary
• NMMS 2026-27 application forms open; state deadlines vary, apply by November 8
• UGC NET application deadline extended: apply by 31 October for December 2026 exam

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 →