There is important news for students from economically weaker families. The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible students can now submit their applications on 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.

How much scholarship will students receive?

Under NMMSS, selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year.

The amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), subject to the required verification and eligibility conditions.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is intended for meritorious students from economically weaker sections studying in:

• State Government schools

• Government-aided schools

• Local-body schools

One lakh fresh scholarships are awarded every year to eligible Class 9 students who qualify through the selection examination conducted by their respective State or Union Territory.

The scholarship can subsequently be renewed for Classes 10, 11 and 12, subject to the applicable academic requirements.

What is the income limit?

One of the important eligibility conditions is the family's annual parental income.

The parental income should not exceed ₹3.50 lakh per year.

Students also need to meet the prescribed academic criteria. For appearing in the selection test, a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in Class 7 is generally required, with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students.

What is the last date to apply?

The extended deadline for submitting the scholarship application is:

September 30, 2026

However, students should not wait until the final day because the application also goes through verification.

The last date for Institute Nodal Officer (L1) verification is October 15, 2026, while District Nodal Officer (L2) verification must be completed by October 31, 2026.

How can students apply?

Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.

Students need to complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR) and then apply for the NMMSS scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year.

After submitting the application, students should also make sure that their application is properly verified by the concerned authorities.

Why is this scholarship important?

For families with limited income, even routine school expenses can become a financial burden. The annual ₹12,000 scholarship can provide additional support while encouraging talented students to continue their education through higher secondary school.

The government says NMMSS is specifically aimed at preventing dropout after elementary education and encouraging students to complete Classes 9 to 12.

Don't miss the deadline

Eligible students should complete their application on the National Scholarship Portal before September 30, 2026.

Those who have already applied should also check their application status and ensure that the required institutional and district-level verification is completed.

In short: If you are a Class 9 student in a government, government-aided or local-body school, your family's annual income is within the prescribed limit, and you meet the academic requirements, this ₹12,000-per-year government scholarship could provide valuable financial support for your education.