- Ministry of Education extends the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme application deadline. Check revised dates for student applications and verification.
New Delhi. : The Ministry of Education has extended the last date for submitting applications under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year 2026-27. Eligible students can now submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until November 15, 2026.
The extension provides additional time for students to complete the application process and allows the concerned authorities to verify applications within the revised schedule.
According to the Ministry of Education, the National Scholarship Portal has been accepting applications under the scheme since June 1, 2026.
NMMSS Scholarship 2026-27: Revised Important Dates
The Ministry has announced the following revised schedule:
|
Application and verification process |
Last date |
|---|---|
|
Student application submission |
November 15, 2026 |
|
Institute Nodal Officer (L1) verification |
November 30, 2026 |
|
District Nodal Officer (L2) verification |
December 15, 2026 |
Students who have already submitted their applications should also ensure that their applications are verified by the concerned institute and district authorities within the prescribed deadlines.
NMMSS Applications Submitted So Far
As of October 30, 2026, the National Scholarship Portal had received:
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Fresh applications: 90,483
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Renewal applications: 1,99,531
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Total applications: 2,90,014
The extension is intended to provide more eligible students an opportunity to complete the application process.
What Is the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme?
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is a centrally sponsored scholarship programme of the Ministry of Education. It aims to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections and encourage them to continue their education beyond Class VIII up to Class XII.
Under the scheme, one lakh fresh scholarships are awarded every year to eligible Class IX students who qualify in the selection examination conducted by their respective State or Union Territory Governments.
The scholarship can subsequently be renewed for Classes X, XI and XII, subject to the prescribed academic requirements.
NMMSS Scholarship Amount
Selected students receive ₹12,000 per annum under the scheme. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The scheme is available to eligible students studying in state government schools, government-aided schools and schools managed by local self-governments, subject to the prescribed conditions.
NMMSS Eligibility Criteria
Students must satisfy the following conditions to be eligible to appear for the selection test:
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They must have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in Class VII.
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Students belonging to the SC and ST categories receive a relaxation of five percentage points in the minimum qualifying marks.
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The annual parental income must not exceed ₹3.50 lakh.
Students must also satisfy the applicable school and scholarship requirements prescribed under the scheme.
How to Apply for NMMSS Scholarship 2026-27
Eligible students can submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal by following these steps:
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Visit the National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/
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Complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
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Log in using the registration credentials.
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Find the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme.
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Fill in the application form with the required information.
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Upload the necessary documents and submit the application.
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Keep a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Important: Students must complete their One-Time Registration (OTR) on the portal before applying for the scholarship.
Verification of NMMSS Applications
Submitting an application does not complete the entire process. Applications must also be verified by the designated authorities.
The Institute Nodal Officer (L1) must complete verification by November 30, 2026, while the District Nodal Officer (L2) must complete verification by December 15, 2026.
Students who have already applied should follow up with their respective institutions to ensure that their applications are verified within the prescribed schedule.
Official Website and Scholarship Portal
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National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/
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Ministry of Education: https://www.education.gov.in/
Students are advised to complete their applications before November 15, 2026, and check the portal for updates regarding verification.
FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for the NMMSS Scholarship 2026-27?
The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline to November 15, 2026.
2. How much scholarship is provided under NMMSS?
Selected students receive ₹12,000 per year through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
3. Who can apply for the NMMSS Scholarship?
Eligible students from economically weaker families studying in government, government-aided and local self-government schools can apply, subject to the scheme's conditions.
4. What is the parental income limit for NMMSS?
The annual parental income must not exceed ₹3.50 lakh.
5. What are the minimum marks required for the NMMSS selection test?
Students must have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in Class VII. SC and ST students receive a five-percentage-point relaxation.
6. Is One-Time Registration mandatory for NMMSS?
Yes. Students must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal before submitting their scholarship applications.
7. What are the NMMSS verification deadlines?
Institute Nodal Officer verification must be completed by November 30, 2026, and District Nodal Officer verification by December 15, 2026.
8. How many fresh scholarships are awarded every year?
The scheme provides one lakh fresh scholarships annually to eligible Class IX students who qualify in the selection examination conducted by their respective State or Union Territory Governments.
9. Can students who have already applied benefit from the extension?
Students who have already submitted applications do not need to submit another application solely because of the extension. They should ensure that their applications are verified by the prescribed authorities within the revised deadlines.
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