NMMS stands for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme. It is a Central Government scholarship scheme launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Education to help meritorious students from economically weaker families continue their education after Class 8.
Key Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) |
| For | Class 8 students |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per year |
| Monthly Amount | ₹1,000 |
| Duration | Class 9 to Class 12 |
| Maximum Period | 4 years |
| Selection | State/UT-level NMMS examination |
| Application Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
Eligibility
Students generally need to:
- Be studying in Class 8 in a government, local-body or government-aided school.
- Have secured at least 55% marks in Class 7. The minimum is generally 50% for SC/ST students.
- Belong to a family with annual income of not more than ₹3.50 lakh from all sources.
- Qualify in the NMMS selection examination conducted by the respective State/UT.
Examination Pattern
The NMMS examination normally has two parts:
1. Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- 90 multiple-choice questions
- Tests reasoning, logical thinking, analogy, classification, numerical reasoning, etc.
2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
- 90 multiple-choice questions
- Covers Mathematics, Science and Social Science
- Questions are based mainly on the Class 7–8 level syllabus.
Scholarship Payment
After selection and verification, the scholarship amount is generally transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the eligible student’s bank account, subject to the applicable Aadhaar/NSP and banking requirements.
Important Links
| Official website | Click Here |
| Telangana State | Apply Now |
| Andrapradesh State | Apply Now |
Important Point
The scholarship is not automatically given to every Class 8 student who meets the eligibility criteria. Students must appear for the state-level NMMS examination and be selected according to the applicable merit and quota rules.
In simple words: If a Class 8 student has good academic performance, belongs to an eligible lower-income family, and qualifies in the NMMS exam, they can receive ₹12,000 every year from Class 9 to Class 12, subject to renewal conditions.