How To Apply NMMS Scholarship Online in Your State & UT 2026
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS Scholarship) is an Indian government program aimed at supporting bright students from economically weaker backgrounds, ensuring that financial hardship doesn’t force them to abandon studies after Class VIII.
It offers a scholarship of ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) for students studying Class IX to XII, provided they meet eligibility criteria and continue to fulfill academic conditions.
Each year, up to 100,000 fresh scholarships are awarded across all states/UTs of India to eligible candidates.
Why NMMS Scholarship Exists | Its Purpose
NMMS was launched in 2008 with the goal to:
- Prevent dropouts after Class VIII among economically weaker but meritorious students.
- Provide financial assistance via scholarship to help students continue secondary education.
- Promote social equity by supporting talented children from low-income families.
- For many families, NMMS helps bridge the gap, preventing loss of education due to financial strain.
NMMS Scholarship Eligibility 2025 | Who Can Apply
To be eligible for NMMS Scholarship 2025:
- The student must be studying in Class VIII (regular student of government, government-aided, or local-body school, not private, residential, or central school like KVs/JNVs).
- Parental/family income (all sources combined) should not exceed ₹3.50 lakh per annum.
- Minimum academic requirement: Often at least 55% (or equivalent grade) in the relevant prior class (some states may allow relaxation for reserved categories).
Note:
Students in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), private schools, and certain residential institutions are typically not eligible.
NMMS Scholarship Amount & Benefits
- Amount: ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) from Class IX to XII upon selection.
- Support Duration: Up to four years (subject to renewal and meeting academic requirements).
- Renewal Conditions: Continue passing exams with required marks; maintain promotion without fail each year.
This financial aid often makes a big difference for students from financially weaker families, helping with school fees, books, and educational expenses.
NMMS Exam Pattern & Selection Process (2025–26)
The NMMS schholarship selection exam consists of two papers:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT): Tests reasoning, non-verbal and verbal ability, pattern perception, analogies, etc.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): Covers syllabus from classes 7 & 8; includes Science, Social Science, and Mathematics.
Paper Structure (2025): 90 MCQs in each paper (total 180 questions), offline mode.
Selection Criteria: Minimum qualifying marks vary; the general guideline is to clear both papers.
Selected students are awarded the scholarship and must meet ongoing academic/eligibility criteria to continue receiving it.
How to Apply | Step by Step (2025-26)
Application is opened state-wise (through respective SCERT / State Education Department).
Obtain the NMMS scholarship application form (often via school or state portal) and fill in the required details.
Submit required documents (proof of income, school certificate, marks, etc.) as per state instructions.
Download the Admit Card when released; appear for the MAT + SAT exam.
After the result/merit list is released, if selected, the scholarship will be disbursed annually (usually via DBT/PFMS).
Tip
Because NMMS is implemented by states, application dates, forms, and procedures vary. Always check your state’s SCERT or official education board portal for the latest updates.
NMMS 2025–26 – State & UT-wise Official Page + Exam Date (India)
| State / UT | Official page & NMMS 2025–26 exam date |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Official NMMS page: bse.ap.gov.in – Application Form Last date: 25-10-25. Exam date: 7 December 2025 (state-level schedule) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Official NMMS page: apdhte.nic.in – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (no exact date notified yet; check Directorate of Higher & Technical Education updates) |
| Assam | Official NMMS page: bidyarthi.co.in (Assam NMMS portal) – Exam date: 13 December 2025 (as per state-wise schedule table) |
| Bihar | Official NMMS page: scert.bihar.gov.in – Exam date: January 2026 (exact day not yet announced) |
| Chhattisgarh | Official NMMS page: scert.cg.gov.in – Exam date: February 2026 (exact day TBA) |
| Goa | Official NMMS page: scert.goa.gov.in – Exam date: January 2026 (exact day TBA) |
| Gujarat | Official NMMS page: sebexam.org –Application Form and Fee last date: 28-11-2025 & 29-11-2025 respectively. Exam date: 03-01-2026 (state schedule window) |
| Haryana | Official NMMS page: scertharyana.gov.in – Exam date: 30 November 2025 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Official NMMS page: himachalservices.nic.in/scert/en-IN/nmms.html – Exam date: 2 November 2025 |
| Jharkhand | Official NMMS page: jacexamportal.in – Exam date: February 2026 (exact day TBA) |
| Karnataka | Official NMMS exam/SSLC page: sslc.karnataka.gov.in (results/merit list on dsert.karnataka.gov.in) – Exam date: February 2026 as per state-wise schedule table (previous cycle held 2 February 2025) |
| Kerala | Official NMMS pages: scholarship.scert.kerala.gov.in / nmmse.kerala.gov.in – Exam date: 30 December 2025 (MAT & SAT on same day) |
| Madhya Pradesh | Official NMMS page: educationportal.mp.gov.in – Exam date: December 2025 (exact day TBA) |
| Maharashtra | Official NMMS page: mscepune.in / mscenmms.in (2025.mscenmms.in) – Application date: 21-10-25 Exam date: 21 December 2025 (confirmed by MSCE Pune & major edu portals) |
| Manipur | Official NMMS page: manipureducation.gov.in – Application date: 03-11-2025, Exam date: 09-11-2025 |
| Meghalaya | Official NMMS / education portal: megeducation.gov.in – Exam date: TBA (no 2025–26 date in latest public notices yet) |
| Mizoram | Official NMMS pages: scert.mizoram.gov.in (scheme) / msb.mizoram.gov.in (admit card) – Exam date: 6 December 2025 (state-wise schedule table) |
| Nagaland | Official NMMS page: scert.nagaland.gov.in – Exam date: 1 November 2025 (state-wise schedule for NMMS 2025–26) |
| Odisha | Official NMMS pages: nmms.odisha.gov.in / ntse.scertodisha.nic.in – Exam date: 7 December 2025 |
| Punjab | Official NMMS page: ssapunjab.org – Exam date: January 2026 (exact day TBA) |
| Rajasthan | Official NMMS pages: education.rajasthan.gov.in / rajshaladarpan.rajasthan.gov.in – Exam date (NMMS 2025–26): 16 November 2025 (answer-key table lists 16 Nov; previous 2024-25 exam held on 19 Jan 2025) |
| Sikkim | Official NMMS page: sikkimhrdd.org – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (only general NMMS/Sikkim info available, no current-cycle date yet) |
| Tamil Nadu | Official NMMS page: dge.tn.gov.in – Exam date: February 2026 (exact date to be announced by DGE TN) |
| Telangana | Official NMMS page: bse.telangana.gov.in – Exam date: 23 November 2025 (confirmed by BSE TS schedule and multiple edu portals) |
| Tripura | Official NMMS page: scertonline.tripura.gov.in – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (no exact date in latest SCERT Tripura updates) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Official NMMS exam page: entdata.co.in (state exam portal) – For the 2026–27 NMMS cycle, UP has officially scheduled the exam on 9 November 2025; for the strictly-named “2025–26” window, |
| Uttarakhand | Official NMMS page: scert.uk.gov.in – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (no day/month published yet in latest SCERT schedule) |
| West Bengal | Official NMMS page: scholarships.wbsed.gov.in – Exam date: 21 December 2025 (confirmed by WB Directorate & multiple detailed articles) |
Explore Digital Gujarat Scholarship, MYSY Scholarships and more in our blog section.
NMMS Scholarship For Union Territories
| UT | Official page & NMMS 2025–26 exam date |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Main administration / education portal used for NMMS notifications: andaman.gov.in / State Institute of Education, Shiksha Sadan, Port Blair – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (past cycles like 2016–17 were notified via andaman.gov.in; no fresh 2025–26 date yet) |
| Chandigarh | Official NMMS / SCERT page: siechd.nic.in (also referenced as scertchd.edu.in) – Exam date: November 2025. |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu | Official NMMS pages: dnh.nic.in (Dadra & Nagar Haveli) / daman.nic.in (Daman & Diu) – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (no recent combined exam schedule visible; only scholarship quota info) |
| Delhi (NCT) | Official NMMS page: edudel.nic.in – Exam date: 7 December 2025 (tentative) in state-wise answer-key schedule; exact date to be confirmed by DoE circular |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Official NMMS page: jkbose.nic.in – Exam date: March 2026 (month-level schedule in answer-key table; exact day to be notified by JKBOSE) |
| Ladakh | NMMS for Ladakh is generally routed via J&K / central NSP framework – Exam date: TBA for 2025–26 (no separate Ladakh NMMS date publicly listed yet; refer to jkbose.nic.in and UT education dept) |
| Lakshadweep | No dedicated NMMS exam portal visible; NMMS is listed as a scheme in Lakshadweep scholarship overviews, but IMPRI 2025 analysis notes that Lakshadweep has not actually awarded NMMSS scholarships since 2008 despite quota – Exam date: No NMMS exam schedule in recent years; treat as “not conducted / TBA” and refer to UT education dept for any change |
| Puducherry | Official NMMS page: schooledn.py.gov.in – Exam date: March 2026 (as per state-wise NMMS answer-key schedule) |
Because every state publishes its own NMMS schedule, it’s smart to check your state’s SCERT website or official notification for accurate dates and application window.
Who Should Apply | Ideal Candidates for NMMS
- Students in Class VIII studying in government / aided / local-body schools.
- Families earning ₹3.50 lakh per annum or less, especially useful for economically weaker backgrounds.
- Students with a good academic record (minimum required percentage) and consistent school attendance.
- Aspirants who may face financial hardship but want to continue their studies post-Class VIII.
For such students, the NMMS can be a real opportunity, combining merit recognition and financial support to help them stay in school.
