NMMS Scholarship

NMMS Scholarship or National Means Cum Merit Scholarship comes under the Central Sector Scheme to provide education to students of weaker economic sections in India. The scheme came into effect in the year 2008 after getting the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs or CCEA. It is executed by the Department of School Education and Literacy offered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) of India.

Every year in India, students drop out of school amidst their secondary education due to the lack of financial support, less awareness and various other factors. To harness this large number of dropouts in class 8, this four-year scholarship has been introduced in India. NMMS Scholarship amount is INR 12,000 per year, which is offered to around one lakh eligible students of classes 9th and 10th. Students who are currently studying in class 9th and have scored a minimum of 55% in their class 8th final exams are eligible to apply for the NMMS exams. This scholarship can also be continued till higher secondary depending on the merit of the student. So, to get more in-depth details, check this article.

The NMMS Scholarship was introduced with the objective of improving the dropout rate of students in the early stage of schooling. However, there are different highlights of this scholarship including the eligibility criteria, income criteria, scholarship amount and others. Check these highlights below: 

Students who cannot afford to pay for basic education are eligible to apply for the NMMS Scholarship. Check out the criteria for candidates who can apply for this scholarship: 

• Candidates who are from weaker economic sections of India can apply for this scholarship.
• The students whose annual parental income is INR 3,50,000 or below are also eligible. 
• Candidates studying in a government-led school or local body school can apply for this scholarship. 
• Students of classes 9th and 10th are eligible for this scholarship. Moreover, it can be continued in classes 11th and 12th depending on the marks of previous classes. 

Knowing about the NMMS Scholarship eligibility criteria is important for appearing for the selection test after which this scholarship will be awarded to meritorious students. Check out the eligibility criteria below:

• The candidates planning to apply for this scholarship must be regular students attending school in class 9 and must have scored 55% in class 8.
• The annual income of the student's family should not be above INR 3,50,000. 
• This scholarship scheme is only valid for students studying in India.
• The student must be studying at a government, local body or government-run school. 
• The scholarship exams are considered for the evaluation of eligible students. So, students have to appear for a scholarship test. 
• Students intending to continue this scholarship in their class 10 must secure at least 55% in class 9. SC/ST students are offered 5% relaxation. 
• The NMMS scholarship continuation in higher secondary is approved if a student scores 60% in class 10 exams. 
• For continuing the scholarship in class 12, students with 55% or equivalent in class 11 are eligible. 
• Candidates who are studying in KVS, NVS, Sainik Schools or other private schools cannot apply for this scholarship.
• Students studying in boarding or residential schools run by the state government institutions are also not eligible. 

Students can apply for the NMMS Scholarship only through the official website of the National Scholarship Portal or NSP. Though the application form for the same is available in online and offline modes, the procedure to apply offline may be a hassle for many, so check out the steps below to apply online: 

• Step 1: The students are required to register as new users and fill in all the relevant information on the official website of NSP or National Scholarship Portal @ scholarships.gov.in. 
• Step 2: Students planning to apply for this scholarship must keep scanned copies of all important documents before beginning the application process. 
• Step 3: The application form can only be filled out after the verification of the phone number through OTP. 
• Step 4: Carefully fill in personal details such as the candidate's name, identification number, date of birth, email ID and contact number. 
• Step 5: Next, fill in other details such as academic education, Aadhar card number, bank details, proof of family income, school enrolment number and the state domicile certificate.
• Step 6: After completing the registration process, an application ID will pop up. This Application ID will be further used as a login ID on NSP and for future use and application tracking. 
• Step 7: Students who are in classes 9 and 10 must apply under the Pre-Matric Scholarship category. While students in classes 11 and 12 need to apply in the Post-Matric Scholarship category. 
• Step 8: The relevant documents must be submitted in the correct size and format and saved as drafts.
• Step 9: After paying the NMMS Scholarship application fee and rechecking the application form, the form can be submitted.

Students can even fill out the scholarship form offline too. Check out the steps below:

• Step 1: Candidates have to collect the NMMS Scholarship offline form from their school.
• Step 2: Fill the form either in black or blue pen in capital letters. 
• Step 3: Try to fill out the form without overwriting or making mistakes. 
• Step 4: In offline mode, students have to attach a domicile certificate, income certificate, caste certificate, disability state certificate (if any), and the result of the previous exam along with the application form. 
• Step 5: After filling out the form, the form is to be submitted to the school itself. 
• Step 6: Students filling out the form in offline mode will also receive their admit cards in school. 

The application process for the NMMS Scholarship requires different documents to be submitted for evaluation of scholarship criteria. So, students need to scan and keep the relevant documents before starting to fill out the application form. Check out some of the important documents required below: 

• Educational qualification details including results or report card of previous classes, the student is planning to apply for 
• Two passport-size photographs 
• School Enrollment Certificate
• Proof of Income or Income Certificate not exceeding the mentioned income 
• State Domicile Certificate 
• Ration Card                            
• Bank Passbook or other documents with the bank details
• Caste Certificate (photocopy of ST/SC certificate)
• Disability State Certificate (if any from the competent authority)

Students will also be required to sit with certain documents during this scholarship exam, such as:

• NMMS Scholarship Admit Card
• Aadhar Card 
• School ID Card or Govt. issued Photo ID Card 

Across different states and UTs, the NMMS Scholarship application form dates also vary. The forms are expected to be out in October 2023 and more information awaited. Candidates shall apply through their schools only. Check out the state-wise NMMS Scholarship last dates:

The NMMS Scholarship is implemented keeping in mind various aspects to impart education to talented students. This scholarship also has multiple benefits for students who are not financially stable to continue their studies. Check out some of the significant benefits below:

• This scholarship will motivate bright and meticulous students to pursue their secondary and higher secondary education. 
• The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are simple. Students are evaluated based on the merit and scholarship test. 
• This scholarship will help improve the dropout rate of students in the country. 
• Students will get the scholarship amount directly in their bank accounts through the Public Financial Management System. 
• The scholarship is continued till the student completes class 12. 
• The scholarship amount is renewed every year. 

To be eligible for the NMMS Scholarship, students have to appear for the scholarship test. The exam pattern and other guidelines of the test are set by the State Council of Educational Research and Training or SCERT. So, check below the exam pattern before appearing for it:
This scholarship test is divided into two sets - MAT and SAT.

MAT or Mental Ability Test

• MAT comprises questions based on critical thinking and reasoning. 
• This set comprises 90 multiple-choice questions. 
• The syllabus of this set includes topics such as analogy, pattern perception, classification, hidden figures and more.

SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test

• The questions of SAT are a combination of science, mathematics and social studies subjects. 
• It includes the syllabus of classes 7 and 8 of science, math and social studies. 
• This set comprises 90 MCQs.  

Both individual sets will last for 90 minutes. However, the disabled children will be given extra time for the tests. The total score of this test is 90 marks. To be eligible for this scholarship, General students need to secure 40% in both individual sets. However, for ST/SC students the cut-off mark is 32%. There is no negative marking system, so students get an advantage to attempt all questions. 

The admit card of the NMMS Scholarship is generated some days before the scholarship test dates. Check more about the admit card below:

• Admit cards will be released both in online and offline mode. 
• Candidates who have filled out the application form before the last date can download the admit card in online mode.
• Students who have completed the application process offline can get their admit card in the school premises. 
• The admit card will comprise personal identification and exam details. 
• Students need to carry the admit card in the examination hall. Without the admit card, they will not be able to sit for the exam.
• Also, the admit card needs to be submitted to the exam invigilator after completing the test. So, students are suggested to keep a photocopy of the same with them. 

NMMS Scholarship results are declared individually by different states. Generally, the results of the scholarship are said to be released in the month of April-May. However, the dates may differ till the official announcement. So, students are advised to check the official NMMS Scholarship portal from time to time. The results will be out online and offline mode, so check the steps to view your results below: 

• Step 1: Check the official state SCERTs portal website. 
• Step 2: Click on the NMMS Result Link in the portal. 
• Step 3: Enter the required details such as the student's name, school code and roll number provided on the Admit Card. 
• Step 4: Click on the submit button and you will be redirected to your result. Selected students will be able to view their marks on both SAT and MAT.

Note: Students will be able to check their results offline on the school premises. Students are suggested to keep the results downloaded or saved for further reference.

If students face any issues while filling out the NMMS Scholarship form or have any queries related to this scholarship, then they can contact the officials. 

The helpline number for this scholarship is 0120-6619540. 
Candidates can also mail their queries to the official email ID - helpdesk@nsp.gov.in