There is important news for students studying in government and government-aided schools. The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2026-27 to September 30, 2026. Eligible students who have not yet completed their application can use the extended timeline to apply through the National Scholarship Portal.

The scholarship programme is aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically weaker families and encouraging them to continue their education beyond Class VIII.

Students Can Receive ₹12,000 Every Year

Under NMMSS, selected students receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year. The assistance is provided from Class IX and can continue through Classes X to XII, subject to the required conditions and renewal criteria.

The money is transferred directly into the student's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer system.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is primarily available to students studying in State Government, Government-aided and local-body schools.

Students must also satisfy the prescribed academic and family-income requirements. For the selection test, the parental income ceiling is ₹3.50 lakh per year, while students generally need at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in Class VII. The marks requirement is relaxed by 5 percentage points for SC and ST students.

Application Deadline Is September 30

For the 2026-27 academic year, the Ministry of Education has extended the last date for submitting applications to September 30, 2026. Students must complete the required process on the National Scholarship Portal within the revised deadline.

There are also separate deadlines for verification:

• Student application: September 30, 2026

• Institute-level verification: October 15, 2026

• District-level verification: October 31, 2026

Students who have already submitted applications should also check that their applications are properly verified.

One-Time Registration Is Required

For the 2026-27 cycle, selected students have to complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal before applying for the scholarship scheme.

The portal has been accepting applications since June 1, 2026.

Why This Scholarship Matters

The NMMSS was introduced to reduce school dropouts among students from economically weaker sections. By providing financial assistance from Class IX onwards, the scheme aims to encourage students to complete their secondary and higher-secondary education.

The programme provides one lakh fresh scholarships every year to eligible Class IX students who qualify through the prescribed selection process.

Students Should Not Miss the Extended Deadline

Parents and students who believe they meet the eligibility requirements should complete the application process without waiting for the final day. Those who have already applied should also keep track of the verification status because submitting an application alone does not complete the entire process.

Since scholarship rules and deadlines can change, students should rely on the National Scholarship Portal and official government notifications for the latest information rather than paying agents or responding to unofficial messages.

With the deadline now extended to September 30, 2026, eligible students have another opportunity to apply for this ₹12,000-per-year scholarship.