NMMS application form 2026-27 released state-wise: apply by November 30 for Rajasthan

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) application forms for the 2026-27 academic year have been released by State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) across various states in India. These forms are for students currently enrolled in Class 8 in government, government-aided, or state board schools, who are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

The NMMS is a national-level examination designed to provide financial support to meritorious students from economically weaker sections, enabling them to continue their education at the secondary and higher secondary levels. Students who qualify for the NMMS exam 2026-27 are eligible to receive a scholarship of Rs 12,000 per year, which is directly transferred to their bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

NMMS Application Status and Deadlines Across States

Application forms for the NMMS 2026-27 have been released for several states, including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The application periods and modes vary significantly by state. For instance, the NMMS Rajasthan Form application dates are from October 30 to November 30, 2026, with applications submitted online through schools. In contrast, the NMMS Tamil Nadu application window is shorter, from October 26 to November 3, 2026, with an offline application mode through schools.

The Government of India’s Ministry of Education introduced the National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) to encourage academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged families to pursue secondary and higher secondary education. Approximately 1 lakh scholarships are distributed annually across India, aiming to reduce secondary school dropouts due to financial constraints. The scholarship benefits are renewed annually up to Class 12, contingent on the student’s academic performance.

Eligibility and Examination Structure

To be eligible for the NMMS, students must be currently studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or state board school. The selection test for the NMMS comprises two parts: a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholarship Ability Test (SAT). Both tests require students to achieve a minimum of 40% marks, with a relaxed criterion of 32% for reserved categories.

The MAT consists of 90 multi-choice questions, also carrying 90 marks, to be completed within 90 minutes. The SAT includes 100 multi-choice questions. Students are advised to regularly check their respective state education department websites and the National Scholarship Portal for new notifications and updates regarding the application process.

Odisha NMMS Examination Schedule

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for Odisha has released a detailed schedule for the NMMS Examination 2026-27. The online filling of application forms and submission of hard copies by students in schools was conducted from August 17, 2026, to October 2, 2026. Headmasters and Headmistresses were required to submit countersigned hard copies of application forms to the District Education Offices (DEOs) by October 15, 2026.

The verification of application forms by the District Education Office was completed by October 25, 2026. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards from November 30, 2026, to December 6, 2026. The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Examination 2026-27 in Odisha is scheduled to be held on December 6, 2026.

Further reading

• NMMS 2026-27 application open: apply by November 30 for Rajasthan, exam for Odisha on December 6
• NMMS 2026-27 application ongoing: apply by November 30 for Rajasthan, November 3 for Tamil Nadu
• NMMS 2026-27 application process underway; deadlines vary by state, apply by November 30
• NMMS 2026-27 application forms open; state deadlines vary, apply by November 8
• NIFT 2027 application form released: apply by November 16, written test on January 10

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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