NMMS: Class 8 students, apply by October 31, 2026

The application window for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2026-27 is set to close on October 31, 2026. Students currently enrolled in Class 8 who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in.

This scholarship programme, offered by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, aims to provide financial assistance to deserving students from economically weaker sections, enabling them to complete their school education. The application process for the academic year 2026-27 commenced on June 1, 2026.

Eligibility and Scholarship Details

The NMMS is a national-level examination conducted by the State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs). To be eligible, students must be currently studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or state board school. The annual family income of the student should not exceed ₹3.5 lakh.

Students who qualify the NMMS exam 2026-27 are eligible for a scholarship of Rs 12,000 per year, disbursed monthly at ₹1,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their bank accounts. A total of 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are provided every year, with the scholarship offered for a maximum duration of four years, from Class 9 to Class 12.

Certain categories of students are not eligible for the NMMS scholarship. These include students from private schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), and residential schools run by Central/State Government institutions that provide boarding, lodging, and education. Also, students already receiving another Central Government scholarship are not eligible.

Application Process and Key Dates

The application process for the NMMS scholarship 2026-27 is entirely online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the academic year 2024-25 onwards, One Time Registration (OTR) is required to apply for scholarships on the portal. The application forms for states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have been released.

To apply, students must visit scholarships.gov.in, register as a New User or log in with their OTR number, and fill in personal, academic, family income, and bank details. Scanned copies of necessary documents, such as Aadhaar card, income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), Class 8 marksheet, NMMS selection letter, bonafide certificate, bank account details, and a passport-size photograph, must be uploaded. After reviewing the application, it must be submitted before the October 31, 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Renewal and Verification

The NMMS scholarship is not automatically renewed; students must renew their application on the National Scholarship Portal every year within the specified deadline. For renewal, students must secure clear promotion from Class 9 to 10 and from Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt. Also, they must score at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST students) to continue into Class 11 and 12.

The application undergoes a two-stage verification process. The last date for L1 Verification by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) is November 15, 2026, followed by L2 Verification by the District Nodal Officer (DNO) with a deadline of November 30, 2026. Students can check their verification status on the NSP.

Further reading

• NMMS 2026-27: Apply on NSP by October 31; state dates vary
• CBSE Class 10, 12 private candidate forms open: apply by October 23 for 2027 exams
• SPJIMR GMP January 2027: Apply for Phase 2 applications starting October 28
• NMIMS MBA 2027 registration extended: apply by 31 October
• UGC NET December 2026 application deadline extended: apply by 31 October

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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