NMMS Scholarship 2026 — ₹12,000/Year Eligibility, Income Limit & Exam
Amount, duration and eligibility
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Scholarship amount | ₹12,000/year (₹1,000/month) |
| Classes covered | Class 9 to 12 (4 years) |
| Total benefit | Up to ₹48,000 |
| Family income ceiling | ₹3.5 lakh/year |
| Selection | State exam (MAT + SAT) in Class 8 |
Central-scheme parameters as of 2026. Paid through the National Scholarship Portal by Direct Benefit Transfer.
Who is eligible
- Studying in a government, government-aided or local-body school — students in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and private/residential schools are not eligible.
- Family income up to ₹3.5 lakh a year.
- Minimum ~55% in Class 7 (relaxable for SC/ST) to sit the Class 8 selection exam.
- Not receiving any other central-government scholarship for the same period.
- Not applicable for study abroad or for diploma/certificate courses.
The selection exam
Selection is via a state-level examination taken in Class 8, consisting of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) covering Class 7–8 science, maths and social science. States set their own qualifying cut-offs and quotas. Clearing it makes you eligible to draw the scholarship from Class 9 through Class 12.
Continuation and how to apply
- Promote each year in the first attempt from Class 9→10 and 11→12 to keep the scholarship.
- Score at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST) to continue into Class 11.
- Apply and renew each year on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after clearing the Class 8 exam.
- The money reaches your Aadhaar-linked bank account by Direct Benefit Transfer.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NMMS scholarship amount?
₹12,000 a year, paid as ₹1,000 a month, for Class 9 to 12 — up to ₹48,000 over the four years. It is paid through the National Scholarship Portal by Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account.
What is the income limit for NMMS?
The family-income ceiling for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship is ₹3.5 lakh a year. The student must also study in a government, government-aided or local-body school.
Who can apply for the NMMS scholarship?
Students in Class 8 in government, aided or local-body schools with family income up to ₹3.5 lakh and at least ~55% in Class 7 (relaxable for SC/ST). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and private-school students are not eligible.
How is NMMS selection done?
Through a state-conducted exam in Class 8 with two papers — a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Clearing the state cut-off makes you eligible to receive the scholarship from Class 9 to 12, subject to promotion each year and 60% in Class 10.
Studying for one of these exams? Super Tutor gives you a guided study plan, practice tests, and mock exams — free.
Try Super Tutor — It's FreeMore in Education Finance
View allNational Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 — Scholarships, Eligibility & How to Apply
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 guide — Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Central Sector scholarships, who is eligible, documents needed, and the step-by-step application process.
Post-Matric Scholarship 2026 — SC, ST & OBC Eligibility, Income Limit & Amount
Post-Matric Scholarship 2026 guide — who is eligible (SC, ST, OBC from Class 11 onwards), the family-income ceilings, what it pays (maintenance allowance + fee reimbursement), and how to apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE) 2026 — ₹80,000/Year Eligibility, Amount & Process
INSPIRE-SHE Scholarship 2026 — ₹80,000 a year for natural and basic sciences students, eligibility (top 1% board / top 10,000 JEE Advanced or NEET), the ₹20,000 mentorship grant, and how to apply online.
Education Loan Without Collateral 2026 — Limits, Eligibility & Schemes
How much education loan you can get without collateral in India, the CGFSEL ₹7.5 lakh guarantee scheme, moratorium period, and the Section 80E tax benefit. 2026 guide.
Education Loan Interest Rates 2026 — Bank-wise Comparison (SBI, PNB, BoB & More)
Compare 2026 education loan interest rates across SBI, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, PNB, Canara, Axis, ICICI and NBFCs — public-sector rates from about 8%, the girl-student concession, and how repo-linked rates move.
Education Loan for MBBS Abroad 2026 — Costs, Banks, Margin & Moratorium
How to fund MBBS abroad from India in 2026 — country-wise cost, which banks lend, collateral and margin rules, moratorium period, the NMC recognition check, and the Section 80E tax benefit.