Eligible students may apply for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme by August 31, 2026

The Ministry of Education has announced that the last date for submitting fresh and renewal applications for the National Means‑cum‑Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2026‑27 academic year is 31 August 2026, to be done via the National Scholarship Portal. Applications undergo two‑stage verification – Level‑1 by Institute Nodal Officers by 15 September 2026 and Level‑2 by District Nodal Officers by 30 September 2026. From 2026‑27, students can apply for one merit‑based and multiple welfare‑based scholarships simultaneously, provided eligibility criteria are met. The scheme awards one lakh fresh scholarships annually to Class‑IX students from economically weaker sections, with renewals up to Class‑XII, aiming to reduce dropout after Class VIII.