NMMS (Class 9 to 12) 2026: eligibility, amount, selection and how to apply
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS), given by Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. Partial: Rs 1,000 a month.
Apply on the National Scholarship PortalCheck if you can apply
Who can apply for NMMS (Class 9 to 12)
You can apply if
- A regular student of Class 8 in a Government, Government-aided or local body school
- At least 55% marks in Class 7 to sit the selection test (50% for SC and ST)
- Parental income up to Rs 3.5 lakh a year from all sources
Not eligible
- Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
- Students of residential schools run by the Centre or State with free boarding, lodging and education
- Students of private schools
Check if you can apply
Answer from your own documents. The questions are the scholarship's published rules; your answers stay in this browser.
Answer the questions to see if you meet the published conditions.
How many get it: 1,00,000 new scholarships every year at Class 9, divided among States and UTs by a fixed quota. Source: Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
JanWatchdog does not give a percentage chance: the scholarship does not publish one. Meeting every rule makes you eligible to apply; selection then depends on the steps below.
What NMMS (Class 9 to 12) pays
Partial: Rs 1,000 a month. Rs 12,000 a year (Rs 1,000 a month) from Class 9 to Class 12.
What it covers
- Rs 12,000 a year for up to four years, paid into the student's bank account
NMMS scholarships for each State and UT
| State or UT | Scholarships a year |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 4,087 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 122 |
| Assam | 2,411 |
| Bihar | 5,433 |
| Chhattisgarh | 2,246 |
| Goa | 144 |
| Gujarat | 5,097 |
| Haryana | 2,337 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 832 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 1,091 |
Show all 36
| State or UT | Scholarships a year |
|---|---|
| Jharkhand | 1,959 |
| Karnataka | 5,534 |
| Kerala | 3,473 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6,446 |
| Maharashtra | 11,682 |
| Manipur | 255 |
| Meghalaya | 231 |
| Mizoram | 103 |
| Nagaland | 180 |
| Odisha | 3,314 |
| Punjab | 2,210 |
| Rajasthan | 5,471 |
| Sikkim | 58 |
| Tamil Nadu | 6,695 |
| Telangana | 2,921 |
| Tripura | 351 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 15,143 |
| Uttarakhand | 1,048 |
| West Bengal | 7,250 |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 42 |
| Chandigarh | 85 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 22 |
| Daman and Diu | 16 |
| Delhi | 1,576 |
| Lakshadweep | 10 |
| Puducherry | 125 |
Annexure I of the revised guidelines (March 2022). The total is 1,00,000.
How NMMS (Class 9 to 12) selection works
- Your State or UT holds its own test in Class 8: a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), 90 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes each
- Pass both tests with at least 40% marks in aggregate (32% for SC and ST)
- At least 55% marks in Class 8 at the time of selection (5% relaxation for SC and ST)
- Selected students apply on NSP; the State verifies; the money is paid by Direct Benefit Transfer
How to apply for NMMS (Class 9 to 12), step by step
- Take your State's NMMS selection test in Class 8 (each State announces its own dates).
- If selected, apply on the National Scholarship Portal and get it verified by the State.
- Open a bank account in your name in any bank with core banking.
- Renew on NSP every year before the deadline.
Documents to keep ready
- Class 7 and Class 8 marksheets
- Parental income certificate
- Caste certificate for SC or ST relaxation
- Bank account details
Keeping the scholarship every year
- At least 60% marks in Class 10 (55% for SC and ST) to continue in Classes 11 and 12
- Clear promotion from Class 9 to 10 and from Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt
- Keep studying as a regular student in a Government, Government-aided or local body school
- Only one central government scholarship can be held at a time
Letter of recommendation
No letter of recommendation. Selection is by the State's test.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from these documents and pages, and this year's dates from the National Scholarship Portal. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education: Revised guidelines of NMMSS (March 2022)
JanWatchdog is not connected with any scholarship. Apply only on the official website; applying is free and no agent is needed.
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