What this scheme offers
NMMSS awards 100,000 scholarships nationally each year to meritorious students, selected through a state-level exam (commonly called the NMMS exam, testing Mental Ability and Scholastic Aptitude) taken at the end of Class 8. Selected students receive ₹12,000 annually (₹1,000/month), disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer, and can continue receiving it through Class 12 as long as they maintain satisfactory academic performance.
Who is eligible
- Studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or local body school at the time of the qualifying exam.
- Family/parental income from all sources not exceeding ₹3,50,000 per year.
- Minimum 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in the Class 7 exam to sit the selection test — relaxable to 50% for SC/ST students.
- Students in residential schools or private (non-aided) schools are generally not eligible.
Documents required
- Income certificate confirming parental income is within the limit
- Class 7 mark sheet
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Bank account details (preferably with a core-banking-enabled scheduled bank)
How to apply
- Check your state education department's notification for the NMMS exam — dates and portals vary by state.
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or your state's designated NMMS application website.
- Fill in personal, school and income details, and upload the required documents.
- Appear for the state-level selection exam, usually held between November and February.
- If selected, complete verification through your school and open/confirm a bank account for DBT.
- The scholarship is credited annually as long as you continue to meet the renewal criteria through Class 12.