NMMS Scholarship 2026-27 — Amount, Exam Pattern, Eligibility and Preparation
NMMS scholarship: ₹12,000 a year from Class 9 to 12. Eligibility, the MAT and SAT exam pattern (90 questions each), renewal rules and how to prepare.
The NMMS scholarship pays ₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month) from Class 9 to Class 12 to students who clear their state's NMMS exam in Class 8. It is for students in government, aided and local-body schools whose family income is up to ₹3.5 lakh a year, and about 1 lakh scholarships are awarded each year across the states. The exam has two papers of 90 questions each.
NMMS at a glance
| Detail | NMMS |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), Ministry of Education |
| Amount | ₹12,000 a year, Class 9 to 12 |
| Scholarships | About 1 lakh a year, split by state quota |
| Exam | Conducted by each state/UT in Class 8 (dates vary by state) |
| Apply for the money | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in), after you are selected |
Eligibility
- Class — studying in Class 8 in a government, government-aided or local-body school
- Marks — at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST)
- Family income — up to ₹3,50,000 a year from all sources
- Not eligible — students of private unaided schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools and residential government schools with free boarding
Exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Time | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAT (Mental Ability Test) | 90 | 90 minutes | Verbal and non-verbal reasoning — analogies, series, classification, coding, patterns |
| SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) | 90 | 90 minutes | Science, Social Science and Maths as taught in Classes 7 and 8 |
- Qualifying marks — 40% in each paper (32% for SC/ST)
- Language and marking — set by your state; most states have no negative marking. Read your state's notice.
Keeping the scholarship (renewal)
| To continue into | You need |
|---|---|
| Class 10 | At least 55% in Class 9 (50% SC/ST), passed in the first attempt |
| Class 11 | At least 60% in Class 10 (55% SC/ST) |
| Class 12 | At least 55% in Class 11 (50% SC/ST), passed in the first attempt |
You must also stay in a government, aided or local-body school and renew on the National Scholarship Portal each year. See our NSP step-by-step guide.
How to prepare
- Read your Class 7 and 8 textbooks thoroughly — SAT questions come straight from them.
- Practise 15–20 reasoning questions a day for the MAT: series, analogies, coding, mirror images, figure patterns.
- Solve your state's previous NMMS papers — most state education departments or SCERTs publish them.
- Time yourself — 90 questions in 90 minutes is one minute per question.
- Don't skip Social Science — it carries as many questions as Science in most states' SAT.
Revise Class 7 and 8 chapters
Chapter summaries, flashcards and practice quizzes for your class and board. Free trial, no card needed.
Start freeRules are from the Ministry of Education's NMMSS guidelines. States set their own exam dates and some exam details — always follow your state's notice.
Build the marks that open doors
Super Tutor helps you lift your scores with chapter summaries, practice quizzes and a study planner matched to your class and exams.
Start freeSources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NMMS scholarship amount?
₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month) from Class 9 to Class 12 — up to ₹48,000 in total if you renew it every year. It is paid directly to the student's bank account.
How many questions are in the NMMS exam?
180 in total, in two papers: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) with 90 questions and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with 90 questions (Science, Social Science and Maths from Classes 7–8). Each paper is 90 minutes. There is no negative marking in most states — check your state's notice.
Who is eligible for NMMS?
Class 8 students in government, government-aided or local-body schools with at least 55% marks in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST) and family income up to ₹3.5 lakh a year. Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools and residential government schools with free boarding are not eligible.
What are the qualifying marks?
At least 40% in each paper (32% for SC/ST). Scholarships then go by merit within your state's quota and category.
How do I keep the scholarship after Class 9?
Renew it on the National Scholarship Portal every year. You must pass each class in the first attempt, score at least 55% in Class 9 and 11 and 60% in Class 10 (5% relaxation for SC/ST), and keep studying in a government, aided or local-body school.
Is NTSE an alternative to NMMS?
Not at the moment — NCERT has not held NTSE since 2021. NMMS is the main national scholarship exam running for middle-school students.