NMMS (National Merit Cum Means Scholarship) 2025, Application Form, Eligibility & Rewards, Exam, Last Date

NMMS Scholarship 2025 also known as, National Merit Cum Means Scholarship awards financial support to all meritorious students who belong to economically weaker sections of the society. Students in between Class 8th to Class 12th can participate in NMMS Scholarship. Merit Cum Means Scholarship is an initiative of the Central Government of India to encourage all students to carry on their studies after the 8th class onwards. Students who have to drop their school due to the financial crisis can also start their studies with the help of the NMMS Scholarship.

National Merit Scholarship is a government-funded scholarship whose main aim is to support the financially weaker students to continue the journey of their education. This scholarship targets the students of classes 9 to 12, in which the selected students get up to 12000 Rs per year to fulfil their educational needs. Every year, almost 1 lakh scholarships are distributed across India.

Highlights Of National Merit Cum Means Scholarship (NMMS)

What is the National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme?

The National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) was introduced by the Government of India's Ministry of Education to encourage academically gifted students who come from poor families for pursuing their secondary and higher secondary education.

The scholarship is predominantly for students from Class 9 to Class 12, allowing them to avail themselves of funding for tuition fees, textbooks, and study materials. With the reduction in secondary school dropout, the scheme denies opportunity to worthy students due to financial reasons.

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Eligibility 2025

To apply for this scholarship, you must need to be in the following eligibility criteria.

• Students must have completed class 8 and enrolled in classes 9 to 12.
• Must have the marks of at least 55% in the previous exams (50% for SC/ST students)
• Family income should not be more than 3.5 lakhs.
• Only for the government school students, not eligible for the private school students.
• To continue the scholarship for the whole academic year, students must have scored good marks in the previous academic year.
• Students must pass out the NMMS selection test conducted by the state/UT.

Check Other Scholarship For Students in India 2025

• All India Youth Scholarship Entrance Examination (AIYSEE)
• Pre Matric ST Scholarship Schemes Class 9 and 10, Tripura
• Swami Vivekananda Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship
• Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
• Savitribai Phule Scholarship For B.C. Girl Students, Maharashtra
• Internshala Career Scholarship for Girls
• Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child (SVSGC) Scholarship for Research
• Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Single Girl Child Scholarship

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Benefits

Scholarship benefits are the advantages and support provided to students once they are awarded a scholarship.

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Benefits are:

• Direct payment of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) to students as financial assistance.
• Scholarship to 9th to 12th standard, up to the level of higher secondary education.
• Dropouts reduced with the provision of means support at the crucial secondary level.
• Meaningful provision of education to deserving students from economically weaker sections.
• Boosting students' confidence in seeking higher education.

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship 2025 Rewards

The scholarships have a lot of rewards, which are mentioned below

• Each selected student receives a scholarship of ₹12,000 annually.

• The amount of the scholarship is directly transferred to the student’s bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).

• Scholarship benefits are renewed every year up to Class 12 if the student performs well in the academic year.

Merit Cum Means Scholarship 2025 Exam Application OR NMMS Exam Application 2025

For Registration, Students can check NMMS Exam 2025 on the official website https://scholarships.gov.in/

NMMS Mental Ability Test 

Mental Ability Test consists of 90/100 multi-choice questions to check the reasoning and critical thinking abilities of the students. Each question consists of 90 marks & students get 90 mins to complete this exam.

National Merit Cum Means Ability Test 2025

Scholarship Ability test consists of 100 multi-choice questions to check the students' knowledge in science, Mathematics & social studies. The syllabus mainly consists of class 7th or 8th standard course curriculum.

Students Aspiring to get a National Means Merit Scholarship must get at least 40 % marks in both the test papers i.e MAT and SAT. For reserved categories, the cut-off has been kept for a minimum of 32 % marks. 

NMMS National Means Merit Scholarship Application Form 2025

The form is filledout on the National Means Merit Scholarship Portal;studentshave to fill out the form online.

To fill out the application, you must follow these steps

• The application form is available online on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – https://scholarships.gov.in.

• Students need to register as a new user and fill in all the details according to the form requirements.

• Upload all required documents as per the guidelines.

• Finally, submit your application.

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship 2025 Apply Online

Students who willing to applying for national merit cum means scholarship 2025, need to follow the below mention steps. 

1. National Merit Scholarship 2025, read instruction & apply online CLICK HERE
2. Complete the Registration Process very carefully. 
3. Start to fill the Application Process with all details. 
4. Provide all the required information which is asked on the form. 
5. Upload all the required documents & submit them to the online site. 

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme Important Dates

Provisional key dates for 2025 are as follows:

• Application Start Date: August 2025
• Last Date to Apply: October 2025
• Correction Window for Applications: November 2025
• State-Level Examination (Selection Test): December 2025
• Verification of Applications: January 2026
• Scholarship Disbursement: February 2026 onwards

Applicants are asked to regularly visit their state education department websites and National Scholarship Portal for new notifications.

National Scholarship last date for submitting the application form is 31 August 2025

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Documents Required

Before applying for the scholarship student must have these documents ready. The documents are given below:

• Aadhaar Card
• Income Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable).
• Previous year’s mark sheet.
• Bank account details of the student
• Passport-size photograph.
• Continuation certificate from the current school.

Conclusion

National Merit Cum Means Scholarship Scheme 2025 is a highly important government scheme motivating deserving students belonging to economically backward families for study at the secondary and higher secondary levels. With the provision of monthly allowance, book facility, and up to Class 12 being provided, the scheme is highly important in managing dropout rates and ensuring equal opportunities for education.

Students are required to scan the eligibility criteria, prepare the documents, and submit an application through the online route within specified time frames. By utilizing this scheme, meritorious students can make a move towards the fulfillment of their academic dreams.

FAQs for National Merit Cum Means Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about National Merit Cum Means Scholarship.

Q1. What are the people who can apply for National Merit Cum Means Scholarship 2025?
Class 9 students with a family income of below ₹3.5 lakh and having obtained 55% marks in the previous exam are eligible.

Q2. What amount of scholarship will I receive?
The awarded students will receive ₹12,000 every year (₹1,000 every month).

Q3. Can I apply offline for NMMSS?
No, only via National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Q4. Is there any examination for this scholarship?
Yes, the students need to attend a State-Level Selection Test, which is conducted by the state education department.

Q5. Are students of private schools admissible for application?
Yes, students from recognized private schools are admissible, provided they are meeting the income and merit criteria. Students from fully government-sponsored residential schools like KV, JNV are not eligible.

Q6. Does the scholarship extend beyond Class 9?
Yes, the scholarship continues up to Classes 10, 11, and 12 based on performance.