Students from economically weaker families have received an important update regarding the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). The Ministry of Education has extended the deadline for applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible students can now submit their scholarship applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until September 30, 2026.

The scheme is designed to help meritorious students continue their education after Class 8 and reduce the chances of students dropping out because of financial difficulties.

Students Can Receive ₹12,000 Every Year

Under NMMSS, selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year. The amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The scholarship is awarded to students entering Class 9 and can continue through Classes 10, 11 and 12, subject to the required academic conditions.

The government provides one lakh fresh scholarships every year to eligible students who qualify through the selection process conducted by their respective State or Union Territory.

Who Can Apply for the Scholarship?

The scheme is meant for students studying in State Government, Government-aided or local body schools.

Some of the key eligibility conditions include:

• The student's parental income should not exceed ₹3.50 lakh per year.

• The student should have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in Class 7 to appear for the selection test.

• For SC/ST students, the minimum marks requirement is relaxed by 5%.

• Students must qualify for the scholarship selection test conducted by the respective State or Union Territory.

Scholarship Can Continue Till Class 12

One of the major benefits of NMMSS is that the scholarship is not limited to Class 9. After receiving the fresh scholarship, students can continue receiving it from Classes 10 to 12 through the renewal process, provided they meet the prescribed academic requirements.

This can provide important financial support during the secondary and higher-secondary years, particularly for families struggling to meet education-related expenses.

Application Deadline Is September 30

The Ministry of Education has extended the last date for submitting applications for the 2026-27 session to September 30, 2026. Students who have already applied should also make sure that their applications complete the required verification process.

The subsequent verification deadlines are:

• Institute-level verification: October 15, 2026

• District-level verification: October 31, 2026

Students therefore should not wait until the final day to complete the process.

How to Apply?

Eligible students need to use the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the application process. For the 2026-27 academic year, selected students are required to complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) before applying for the scholarship scheme.

After registration, students can select NMMSS and complete the application with the required details and documents. The application then goes through institute and district-level verification.

Who Should Not Miss This Opportunity?

This scholarship can be particularly useful for students who perform well academically but face financial limitations at home. Since the assistance can continue up to Class 12, the scheme is intended to encourage students to stay in school rather than discontinue their education after elementary schooling.

With the deadline now extended to September 30, eligible students and their parents should check the requirements and complete the application process on time.