Scholarship Program 2025: Mean-based & Talent-based Financial Aid Offering
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is an annual scholarship awarded to 1,00,000 students in India. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to apply for the NMMS scholarship in the 2025-26 cycle:
Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)
To begin, you'll need to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Visit the official National Scholarship Portal.
- Click on the “Apply For One-Time Registration (OTR)” option on the homepage.
- Fill in the required personal details, including Aadhaar number, mobile number, and other necessary information.
- Upload a recent passport-size photo and any other required documents.
- Submit the OTR form to generate your NSP profile.
Step 2: Login and Fill NMMS Application
After completing the OTR, log in to your NSP profile and fill in the NMMS application form.
- Upload necessary documents such as:
- Income certificate proving parent/guardian income does not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum.
- Caste certificate (if applicable).
- Disability certificate (if applicable).
- Mark sheet of the most recent class (Class 7 or 8).
- Proof of residence.
- Aadhaar card copy.
Step 3: Submit the Application
Once you've filled in the application form, submit it online before the last date, typically August 31, 2025. Remember to take a printout of the application form and acknowledgement slip for future reference.
Step 4: State-Level Examination
After submitting the application, prepare for the state-level NMMS examination, which is conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) or respective State authorities.
- The exam consists of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) designed for Class 8 syllabus.
- The minimum qualifying score is 40% in each test (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).
- Each test is 90 minutes long, with extra time provided for students with disabilities as per guidelines.
To be eligible for the NMMS scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an Indian national.
- Must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class 8 (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).
- Must be enrolled in Class 9 in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
- Must be promoted to the next class on the first attempt in each academic year.
- Annual family income must be less than ₹3,50,000 from all sources.
Successful NMMS scholarship examinees receive ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month). It's essential to check your respective State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) website for state-wise schedules and additional instructions.
Learning and education-and-self-development are integral parts of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) process, as students must secure at least 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class 8 (5% relaxation for SC/ST students) to be eligible. Additionally, the state-level NMMS examination consists of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) designed for Class 8 syllabus, which requires learning and preparation to achieve the minimum qualifying score of 40% in each test (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).
