Students who were unable to complete their scholarship application on time have received some relief from the government. The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2026–27 academic year.

The revised deadline gives eligible students additional time to submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal. Press Information Bureau

What is the NMMSS scholarship?

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections and encourage them to continue their education.

Under the scheme, selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year. Press Information Bureau

Application deadline extended

The Ministry of Education has extended the last date for submitting applications for the 2026–27 academic year to October 31, 2026.

The revised schedule is:

• Student application: October 31, 2026
• Institute-level verification: November 15, 2026
• District-level verification: November 30, 2026

The National Scholarship Portal has been accepting applications since June 1, 2026. Press Information Bureau

Who should check their eligibility?

Students who believe they meet the scheme's eligibility conditions should check the official scholarship requirements before applying. Selection is linked to academic merit as well as prescribed income and other conditions under the scheme.

Since scholarship rules and verification requirements can vary by scheme, students should rely on the official National Scholarship Portal and government information rather than unofficial websites.

Where can students apply?

Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Students should carefully enter their personal, academic and bank details and complete the required verification process.

It is also important to keep documents ready and check the application status after submission.

Don't wait until the last day

The deadline extension provides additional time, but students should avoid waiting until October 31. Errors in documents, verification delays or incomplete applications can create problems close to the deadline.

Students and parents can also use the Government of India's official schemes portal to explore other central and state government schemes based on age, education, occupation and other eligibility criteria. India.gov.in

Important: Before applying, verify the latest eligibility criteria and application instructions on the official National Scholarship Portal. The scholarship amount and deadline mentioned above are based on the Ministry of Education's October 1, 2026 announcement.