NMMSS Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to October 31, 2026

The Ministry of Education has extended the last date for applications under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for the 2026–27 academic year to October 31, 2026. The extension gives eligible students additional time to complete applications through the National Scholarship Portal and obtain the required institutional and district-level verification.

The National Scholarship Portal has been accepting applications since June 1, 2026. Students must complete the mandatory One-Time Registration on the portal before submitting an NMMSS application.

Revised NMMSS Application and Verification Schedule

The final date for students to submit applications is now October 31, 2026. Institute Nodal Officers must complete first-level verification by November 15, while District Nodal Officers have until November 30 to finish second-level verification.

Students who have already submitted applications should ensure that their forms move through both verification stages within these deadlines.

As of September 30, 2026, the portal had received 88,522 fresh applications and 1,97,133 renewal applications under the scheme.

Scholarship Provides ₹12,000 Every Year

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is designed to support academically capable students from economically weaker families and reduce the risk of students leaving school after Class VIII.

Under the scheme, one lakh fresh scholarships are awarded each year to eligible Class IX students who qualify through the selection examination conducted by the respective State or Union Territory governments.

Successful students receive ₹12,000 per year. The scholarship can continue from Class X to Class XII through renewal, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed academic conditions.

The amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Who Is Eligible for the NMMSS Scholarship

The scheme covers eligible students studying in state government, government-aided and local body schools.

To appear in the selection examination, students must have secured at least 55 per cent marks or an equivalent grade in Class VII. Students belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories receive a relaxation of five percentage points.

The annual parental income of the applicant must not exceed ₹3.50 lakh.

The NMMSS continues to serve as an important national scholarship programme for helping students from lower-income families remain in school through the secondary and senior secondary stages. The October 31 extension gives eligible students a wider window to complete the application process and secure access to financial support for the 2026–27 academic year.

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References

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Education — “NMMSS Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to October 31, 2026”, October 1, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/

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