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If your child cleared the NMMS exam conducted by your state and is now in Class 9, or is already an NMMSS scholar moving up to Class 10, 11 or 12, this one is for you. The Ministry of Education has extended the last date to apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for 2026-27 to November 15, 2026. The scholarship pays ₹12,000 a year straight into the student’s bank account.
This is the third extension this year, and the ministry has already said who verifies the forms and by when. Below you will find the revised dates, who is eligible, what you need before you start, how to apply step by step, and the renewal rules that quietly knock many students out of the scheme.
NMMSS 2026-27 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) |
| Run by | Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education |
| Amount | ₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month), paid by DBT |
| Fresh scholarships | 1 lakh every year, for Class 9 students |
| Duration | Up to 4 years (Class 9 to Class 12), with yearly renewal |
| Portal opened | June 1, 2026 |
| Last date for students | November 15, 2026 |
| Institute (L1) verification | November 30, 2026 |
| District (L2) verification | December 15, 2026 |
| Where to apply | scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal) |
According to the ministry, 90,483 fresh and 1,99,531 renewal applications had been submitted by October 30, 2026. The earlier deadlines were September 30 and then October 31, so do not count on a fourth extension.
Benefits of the scholarship
The scholarship is ₹12,000 a year, worked out at ₹1,000 a month. The money goes directly to the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer after the state or UT verifies the application on NSP. SBI is the implementing bank for the payment.
The scheme was set up to stop bright students from poorer families dropping out after Class 8. A student selected in Class 9 can keep getting the money up to Class 12, which adds up to ₹48,000 over four years, as long as the renewal conditions are met every year.
₹ 12000/- per annum @ ₹1000 per month.NMMSS Guidelines, clause 1.3
Who can apply
- The student studies in a state government, government-aided or local body school.
- For a fresh award, the student has qualified the NMMS selection test conducted by their state or UT and is in Class 9.
- Parents’ annual income from all sources is not more than ₹3.5 lakh.
- The student scored at least 55% (or equivalent grade) in Class 7 to sit the test, and at least 55% in Class 8 to be selected. SC and ST students get a 5% relaxation on both.
- For renewal, the student is an existing NMMSS scholar who has been promoted to the next class.
Not eligible
Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools run by the Centre or a state with free boarding and lodging, and private schools cannot get this scholarship. A student can also hold only one central government scholarship at a time.
Renewal rules for Class 10, 11 and 12
This is where students lose the money, often without realising it. The guidelines say:
- You must be promoted from Class 9 to 10, and from Class 11 to 12, in the first attempt.
- You need at least 60% in Class 10 to continue into Class 11 (55% for SC and ST students).
- If you do not renew on NSP within the deadline, the scholarship stops.
- A gap of one academic year ends the scholarship, and it cannot be revived.
What you need before you start
The NSP home page does not publish a fixed document list for NMMSS, so keep the items below ready and follow whatever the form asks for on screen.
| What | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) | One Time Registration (OTR) is linked to it |
| Mobile number | For OTR and login |
| Bank account in the student’s name | The scholarship is paid by DBT; a core banking account is required |
| NMMS exam result details | Fresh applicants must have qualified the state selection test |
| Income details | Parental income must not exceed ₹3.5 lakh a year |
| Previous class marks | Needed to check the marks conditions, and for renewal |
How to apply on NSP
- Complete OTRGet your 14-digit One Time Registration number on scholarships.gov.in or the NSP OTR app. You only do this once for your whole study period.
- Log in for 2026-27Sign in to NSP with your OTR number and choose the application for academic year 2026-27.
- Fill the formEnter school, class, NMMS exam and bank details. Pick NMMSS as your scholarship, and check every entry against your documents.
- Submit before November 15Submit the final application and save or print the confirmation.
- Follow up with your schoolYour school’s Institute Nodal Officer must verify the form by November 30, and the district officer by December 15.
No smartphone? Use a CSC
Common Service Centres can do the OTR for you. NSP lists the fee as ₹30 per candidate, including taxes. Find the nearest centre at locator.csccloud.in.
If face authentication fails during OTR, NSP says to update the AadhaarFaceRD app and check that your Aadhaar biometrics are not locked in the mAadhaar app or on the My Aadhaar portal.
Check status and verification
Submitting the form is only half the job. Your application has to clear two levels of verification before any money is released. Log in to NSP with your OTR number to track it. If it is still pending with the school close to November 30, speak to the head of the school or the teacher who handles scholarships. A form that is not verified in time will not be paid, even if you applied on time.
Important links
Extension noticePIB, October 31, 2026
Scheme guidelinesMinistry of Education PDF
Find a CSCCSC locator
FAQ
What is the last date to apply for NMMSS 2026-27?
Students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal till November 15, 2026. School verification closes on November 30 and district verification on December 15, 2026.
How much money does an NMMSS scholar get?
₹12,000 a year, or ₹1,000 a month, paid into the student’s bank account by DBT.
Can a Navodaya or Kendriya Vidyalaya student apply?
No. Students of KVs, JNVs, government residential schools with free boarding and lodging, and private schools are not eligible.
Do I need to apply again every year?
Yes. You must renew on NSP each year and meet the promotion and marks conditions. Your OTR number stays the same, so you do not register again.
Sources
Facts in this post come from the PIB release of the Ministry of Education (October 31, 2026), the NMMSS guidelines on dsel.education.gov.in, the National Scholarship Portal and News On AIR.