The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMMS) is a scholarship program designed by Government of India for the meritorious students. Under this program government motivates those meritorious students who come from economically weaker sections through scholarship programs so that they are able to continue their education up to the secondary level. By offering this scheme government aims to empower financially poor students through a means of learning in the form of a scholarship, also eliminate the ratio of dropout students from the countr,y and promote meritorious students towards quality education.
What is the National Scholarship Portal?
National Scholarship Portal is a well-known educational platform known for providing a hub of scholarship programs throughout the country to meritorious students. Under this portal government serves as a means of learning in the form of a scholarship to the deserving and needy students based on their socio-economic status. By offering this portal government aims to ensure that every student can easily apply for the scholarship program online and receive financial support for the continuation of their studies, and make India an “Illiterate Free Country”.
Also Read: Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme For the Ministry Of Railways
Motive of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
The actual motive of the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship is to promote open-mindedness, higher education among talented students by providing financial assistance to deserving students Under this scholarship program students are selected on the basis of their performance in the exam held in the presence of top authorities.
Key Highlights of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
| Name of Scholarship | National Means Cum Merit Scholarship. |
| Launched on | National Scholarship Portal |
| Funded by | Ministry of Education |
| Nodal Department | Department of School Education & Literacy |
| Governing body | Government of India |
| Year | 2025-26. |
| Objective | To provide financial assistance to those students who crack the scholarship exam so that they are able to meet their regular educational expenses, including books, study material, and all that are necessary to pursue higher studies. |
| Financial Benefits | Rs. 100,000 |
| Test Duration | 3 hours. |
| Total Marks | 100. |
| Application Opens on | 01/06/2025 |
| Closed on | 31/07/2025 |
| Target Beneficiaries | Students of India. |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official website | NSP |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for (NMCMS), Applicant must have to meet the following eligibility criteria’s these are as follows:-
An awardee is eligible for the scholarship provided he/she:-
- Takes up studies in approved courses.
- Maintains good conduct as certified by the Head of the college/Institution and continues his/her studies as a regular student in a Government/government-aided/ Local Body school.
- Does not absent without proper leave.
- Takes up studies on a full-time basis.
- No scholarship shall be available for studies abroad for any course.
- No claim for scholarship arrears will be entertained after the expiry of 12 months of the academic session for which one has applied for the claim.
- In case any awardee leaves his/her course of study within one month of registration/admission, no scholarship shall be paid to him/her.
- In case a student is not able to appear at the annual examination due to a serious illness, he/she should send the medical certificate through the Head of
- The Institution within three months of his/her falling ill.
- The student must join the next class/desired course within 3 months of the declaration of the result of the previous class/course.
- Scholarship shall be deemed to be discontinued if any gap of one academic session arises in studies at any time for any reason.
- Scholarship once discontinued on the basis of the rules of disbursement of scholarship cannot be revived under any circumstances.
- All rules are subject to change from time to time, as required.
- The annual income of the applying candidate’s family must not be more than Rs 3.5 lakhs per annum from all sources.
Also Read: PM Scholarship Scheme
Financial Benefits
- Under this scheme, it is proposed to award Rs 100,000 scholarships to the gifted or meritorious students whose parental income is not more than Rs 3,50,000/- per annum from all sources at the time of selection of awardees for scholarship
Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
| Application Opens on | 02/06/2025 |
| Closed on | 31/08/2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Open till | 15/09/2025 |
| Institute Verification Open till | 15/09/2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Open till | 30/09/2025 |
Required Documents
- Aadhar Card
- Address Proof
- Birth Certificate
- Bank Details
- Caste Certificate
- Signature/Autograph
- Income Certificate
- Passport-Sized Photograph
- Phone Number
Selection Process
Selection under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship is based on these parameters:-
- Mental Ability Test:- First of all, MAT will be conducted, which consists of 90 multiple-choice questions testing verbal and non-verbal meta-cognitive abilities like reasoning and critical thinking.
- The questions in the test may be on analogy, classification, numerical series, pattern perception, hidden figure, etc.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test:- This test consists of 90 multiple-choice questions covering subjects, namely, science, social studies, and mathematics, as taught in classes VII and VIII.
- Duration of the Test: Each test will be of 90 minutes duration. Children with disability will be given extra time, as applicable.
- Declaration of Results:- For selecting the students, the following conditions shall apply:
- The students must pass both the tests, i.e., MAT and SAT, with at least 40 % marks in aggregate taken together for these two tests. For the SC/ST students, this cut-off will be 32% marks.
- At the time of selection for the award of scholarship, the student must have scored at least 55% mark or equivalent grade in class VIII examination.
- There will be 5% relaxation for SC/ST students.
- The awardees should satisfy the eligibility and the conditions mentioned in the scheme.
- Disbursement of Scholarships:- After the announcement of Results, eligible students are ready to get their Scholarship amount, and the amount will be transferred directly to their Aadhar-linked Bank Account.
Also Read: scholarships gov in
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Apply Online
To apply online for National Means Cum Merit Scholarship., applicant must have to follow some simple steps these are as mentioned below:
- Step 1: First of all, the applicant needs to visit the NSP website.
- Step 2: Once the applicant reaches the home page of the official website, they need to click on the “Apply Now” option.
- Step 3: An application form will open on the screen
- Step 4: Now the applicant needs to enter all the required details and attach all the necessary documents with the form.
- Step 5: Once, quickly review all the details carefully.
- Step 6: At last, click on Submit to complete the process.
In this way applicant can easily register themselves under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship.
Renewal of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
- Step 1: First of all, the applicant needs to visit the official website.
- Step 2: Once the applicant reaches the home page of the official website, they need to click on the “Renew Now” option.
- Step 3: A renewal form will open on the screen
- Step 4: Now the applicant needs to enter all the required details and attach all the necessary documents with the form.
- Step 5: Once, quickly review all the details carefully.
- Step 6: At last, click on Submit to complete the process.
In this way applicant can easily renew their scholarship under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship.
Important Download
Helpline Number
- Dial:- 0120 – 6619540
- Email: helpdesk[at]nsp[dot]gov[dot]in
FAQs
Who has launched National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
Government of India has launched National Means Cum Merit Scholarship.
Is there is any gender-related criteria for National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
No, gender related criteria is not available under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship, both girl & boy can apply for the same.
What are the benefits are provided to deserving candidate under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
Deserving candidate receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts.