Students from economically weaker sections who are studying in Classes IX to XII have an important scholarship opportunity through the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS).

For the 2026–27 academic year, the government has extended the application deadline to September 30, 2026. Applications are being submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.

What Is the NMMSS Scheme?

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is designed to encourage meritorious students from economically weaker sections to continue their education after Class VIII.

The scheme aims to reduce the number of students dropping out at the secondary stage by providing financial support during their school education.

Who Can Benefit?

The scholarship is intended for eligible students studying in Classes IX to XII in state government, government-aided and local body schools, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.

Students are selected through the applicable state-level selection process and must meet the scheme's merit and income requirements.

What Is the Application Deadline?

For the 2026–27 academic year, the deadline for submitting applications has been extended to:

September 30, 2026

The government has also specified subsequent deadlines for verification:

• Institute-level verification: October 15, 2026

• District-level verification: October 31, 2026

One-Time Registration Is Required

Students selected for the scholarship need to complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal.

After completing OTR, students can apply for the scholarship scheme they are eligible for.

Why Students Should Not Wait Until the Last Day

Submitting the application early gives students time to correct documentation or verification-related issues.

Students and parents should carefully check the information entered in the application and ensure that the required documents and details are available before submission.

How to Apply

Eligible students should use the National Scholarship Portal for the application process.

After submission, the application goes through the prescribed verification stages at the institute and district levels.

Students should therefore keep track of their application status even after submitting the form.

Important Point for Parents

Parents should not rely on messages circulating on WhatsApp or social media for scholarship deadlines or eligibility information.

The application deadline and verification schedule can change, so students should check the National Scholarship Portal and official government notifications for the latest information.

With the deadline now extended to September 30, eligible students who have not yet completed their application still have an opportunity to submit it within the revised timeline.