NMMS 2026-27: DNOs, verify by October 31. Students, download admit card soon
In short
- The DNO Level-2 verification window for the NMMS 2026-27 scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is open until October 31, 2026.
- State-level registration for the NMMS 2026-27 selection examination is ongoing from September to December 2026.
- The scholarship provides ₹12,000 per year to 1,00,000 meritorious Class 8 students from economically weaker sections.
- Eligible students must be studying in state government, government-aided, or local body schools and have secured at least 55% in their Class 7 final exams.
- From 2026-27, students can apply for one merit-based and one or more welfare-based schemes simultaneously on the NSP.
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) 2026-27 state-wise admit cards are expected to be released one to two weeks before the state selection examinations. These examinations are tentatively scheduled to take place from November 2026 to January 2027 across various states and Union Territories.
Simultaneously, the DNO Level-2 verification window for the 2026-27 scholarship cycle on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is set to close on October 31, 2026. This scheme, launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Education, aims to provide financial assistance to 1,00,000 meritorious Class 8 students annually from economically weaker sections, supporting their schooling from Class 9 to Class 12 with ₹12,000 per year.
NMMS 2026-27 Registration and Verification Deadlines
State-level registration for the NMMS 2026-27 selection examination is currently underway in several states and will continue until December 2026. Following qualification in the state exam, students are required to complete their registration on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using a One-Time Registration (OTR) number. The DNO Level-2 verification, a crucial step in the application process, has a deadline of October 31, 2026, for the current academic year.
The scholarship amount is disbursed directly into students’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). A new rule effective from the 2026-27 academic year allows students to apply for one merit-based scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes concurrently on the NSP. The overall administration of the scheme is managed by the Department of School Education and Literacy through state and UT SCERTs.
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| State NMMS Exam Registration 2026-27 | Ongoing in several states (September to December 2026) |
| DNO Level-2 Verification (NSP, 2026-27) | October 31, 2026 |
| State NMMS Selection Exam 2026-27 | November 2026 to January 2027 (state-wise, tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | 1 to 2 weeks before exam date (state-wise) |
| State NMMS Results 2026-27 | January to April 2027 (tentative, state-wise) |
| NSP OTR and Registration for 2027-28 | Not yet announced |
Eligibility Criteria and Scholarship Details
To be eligible for the state NMMS selection exam, students must be in Class 8 and studying in a state government, government-aided, or local body school. A minimum of 55% marks in the Class 7 final examination is required, with a relaxation to 50% for SC/ST students. The parental annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000. Students enrolled in 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, amounting to ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month), supports students from Class 9 to Class 12. Continuation of the scholarship is contingent upon specific academic performance: 55% marks in Class 9 (50% for SC/ST), 60% marks in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST) to continue into Class 11, and passing Class 11 in the first attempt for Class 12 scholarship continuation.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Year of Launch | 2008 |
| Administered By | Department of School Education and Literacy / State and UT SCERTs |
| Number of Scholarships | 1,00,000 per year |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) |
| Eligibility Class for Exam | Class 8 |
| Scholarship Coverage | Class 9 to Class 12 |
| NSP Registration Portal | scholarships.gov.in |
| Disbursement Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via PFMS |
| New Rule from 2026-27 | Students may apply for one merit-based and one or more welfare-based schemes simultaneously |
Application Process and Associated Fees
The NMMS scholarship application involves a two-stage process: initial registration for the state-level selection examination and subsequent registration on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for qualified students. The NSP One-Time Registration (OTR) generates a unique 14-digit number linked to the student’s Aadhaar, which remains valid for their entire academic career on the portal.
Direct registration for the NSP OTR process on scholarships.gov.in is free of charge. However, registration supported through a Common Service Centre (CSC) incurs a fee of ₹30 per candidate, inclusive of all applicable taxes. The examination registration fee for the state SCERT exam varies by state, and students are advised to check their respective state SCERT portals for specific details. Students are required to carry their admit cards to the examination hall, and some states mandate application submission through schools.
| Registration Mode | Fee |
|---|---|
| Direct NSP OTR on scholarships.gov.in | Nil |
| Registration via Common Service Centre (CSC) | ₹30 per candidate (inclusive of all applicable taxes) |
| State SCERT exam registration fee | Varies by state; check the respective state SCERT portal |
Further reading
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