Applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026-27 are open until September 24. Uttar Pradesh has been allocated 15,143 seats. The examination will be held on November 9. Selected students will receive an annual scholarship of ₹12,000 from grades 9 to 12.
National Scholarship 2026-27: The Government of India provides opportunities every year for millions of talented yet economically disadvantaged students to advance their education. In this regard, the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) scheme is implemented. The objective of this scheme is to encourage children whose parents have limited income and who might otherwise discontinue their studies due to financial constraints.
When and How to Apply
The online application process for the NMMS Examination 2026-27 commenced on August 27, 2025. The deadline for applications has been set for September 24, 2025. Interested students can apply by visiting the district-specific website or the portal of the Education Department.
Examination Date
The examination for this scholarship scheme will be conducted on November 9, 2025. The examination will be held at centers established at the district level.
Number of Seats Allocated to Uttar Pradesh
The Government of India has allocated a total of 15,143 seats for Uttar Pradesh. Against these seats, the Education Department aims to receive at least 15 times the number of applications to benefit as many deserving students as possible.
Eligibility Criteria for Application
Certain conditions have been set to avail the benefits of this scheme.
- Income Limit – The total annual income of the candidate's parents should not exceed ₹3.50 lakhs.
- Educational Qualification – The student must have passed the Class 7 examination in the academic session 2024-25 with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST students).
- Current Status – At the time of application, the student must be studying in Class 8 and be enrolled in a government, government-aided, or council-affiliated school.
Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, Government Residential Schools, and private schools will not be eligible for this examination.
Scholarship Amount
Selected students will receive an annual scholarship of ₹12,000 (₹1,000 per month) from the Government of India for classes 9 to 12. This amount will be directly transferred to the student's bank account.
Fees and Application Fee
A notable aspect of this examination is that no examination fee is charged for application. This means all eligible students can apply free of charge.
How to Apply
- Students can complete the online application process as follows:
- First, visit the official website of BSEB/Secondary Education Department.
- Click on the application link and fill in the required details.
- Enter educational and personal information accurately.
- Upload photograph and signature.
- After reviewing the information, submit the form and take a printout.
Examination Pattern
The NMMS examination consists of two papers:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT) – This tests reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – This includes questions related to Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Language.
Each paper is allotted separate time, and the merit list is prepared by combining the total marks from both papers.
Instruction from the Education Department
Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Mahendra Dev, has instructed all District Inspectors of Schools and Basic Education Officers to ensure that information about this scheme reaches the maximum number of students. Orders have been issued to launch special campaigns for publicity and outreach.
