Education is a powerful tool for social and economic upliftment, but for many students from economically weaker sections, financial constraints pose a significant challenge to continuing their studies. Recognizing this, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, launched the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) in 2008. This initiative aims to support talented students from low-income families, helping them pursue their education beyond the secondary stage and reducing dropout rates.
Objective
The primary goal of NMMSS is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds who might otherwise drop out of school after Class 8 due to financial difficulties. By awarding scholarships, the scheme encourages students to continue their education at the secondary level and beyond, thereby empowering them to build a better future.
Key Features
Under NMMSS, 1,00,000 scholarships are awarded each year to students entering Class 9. These scholarships can be renewed annually up to Class 12, provided the students meet the renewal criteria. The financial support provided is ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month), which is directly transferred to the students’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
To ensure a fair selection process, each State/Union Territory (UT) has a fixed quota of scholarships, and a state-level examination is conducted for selection. The scheme also includes reservations as per the norms of individual States/UTs, ensuring that students from marginalized communities receive adequate representation.
Eligibility Criteria
The scheme is designed for students who meet the following criteria:
For Fresh Applications
- The parental income of the applicant from all sources should not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum.
- The applicant must be studying as a regular student in Class 9 in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
- Students must have scored a minimum of 55% marks in Class 7 to appear for the selection test in Class 8 (relaxable to 50% for SC/ST students).
- Applicants must qualify in the state-level selection test, which consists of two components:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT): A 90-minute test with 90 multiple-choice questions evaluating reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): A 90-minute test with 90 multiple-choice questions covering subjects like science, mathematics, and social studies taught in Classes 7 and 8.
- Students must score at least 40% marks in aggregate in MAT and SAT (relaxable to 32% for SC/ST students).
For Renewal Applications
- The scholarship can be renewed for Class 10, Class 11, and Class 12, provided the awardees meet the following conditions:
- A minimum of 60% marks in Class 10 (relaxable to 55% for SC/ST students) for continuation in higher classes.
- Clear promotion to the next class (from Class 9 to 10, Class 10 to 11, and Class 11 to 12) in the first attempt.
Benefits
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme offers several key benefits that directly impact the lives of students and their families:
- Financial Support: The scholarship provides ₹12,000 annually, which helps students meet their educational expenses, such as tuition fees, books, and other essentials.
- Encouragement to Continue Education: By offering financial incentives, the scheme motivates students to continue their studies beyond Class 8 and reduces dropout rates.
- Focus on Merit: The selection process ensures that only deserving students benefit, fostering a culture of academic excellence.
- Reservation for Marginalized Groups: Reservations based on State/UT norms ensure that students from SC/ST and other marginalized communities receive fair opportunities.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Scholarships are disbursed directly into students’ bank accounts, ensuring transparency and timely payment.
Documents Required
Applicants need to submit the following documents to be eligible for the scholarship:
- Class 7 Marksheet (only from government schools) – Compulsory.
- Income Certificate of Parents – Compulsory.
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- Disability Certificate (if applicable).
- Domicile Certificate.
These documents help verify the applicant’s eligibility and ensure that only deserving students benefit from the scheme.
