Education
Apr 16, 2026
Ministry of Education Releases Results for NMMSS 2025-26 Scholarship Scheme
R
Rohan Gupta
Apr 16, 2026
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The Ministry of Education has officially released the results for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) for the academic year 2025-26. Over 1 lakh students from across India have been selected to receive a scholarship of ₹12,000 per annum, aimed at preventing dropouts at the secondary stage and encouraging students to continue their education till the higher secondary level. The list of selected candidates is now available on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the respective state education department websites.
The NMMSS is a central sector scheme specifically designed for meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections. To be eligible, students must have a parental income of not more than ₹3.5 lakh per annum and must be studying in a government or government-aided school. The selection was based on a state-level examination consisting of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This year saw a significant increase in participation from rural districts in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The scholarship amount is credited directly into the bank accounts of the selected students through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. This ensures transparency and prevents delays in the disbursement process. Students who have been selected must now ensure that their bank accounts are linked with their Aadhaar numbers. They are also required to renew their scholarship every year on the NSP portal, provided they maintain a certain academic standard and are promoted to the next class.
'The NMMSS has been a lifeline for thousands of students who would have otherwise been forced to leave school due to financial constraints,' said a senior official from the Department of School Education and Literacy. 'By providing this financial support from Class 9 to Class 12, we are ensuring that economic background does not hinder the intellectual growth of our youth.' The government has also seen a positive correlation between the scholarship and improved retention rates in government schools over the last few years.
For students who missed the opportunity this year, the application process for the NMMSS 2026-27 cycle is expected to begin in August 2026. Schools are encouraged to identify eligible students early and provide them with the necessary coaching for the MAT and SAT components of the exam. Several state governments have also launched portal-based training modules to help students prepare for these competitive tests.
As the next step, the selected candidates must complete the 'Fresh Application' registration on the National Scholarship Portal by the end of May to initiate the payment process. Schools and District Education Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to expedite the verification of student applications on the portal. Any issues regarding the non-receipt of the scholarship should be reported to the state nodal officer through the helpdesk provided on the NSP website.
The NMMSS is a central sector scheme specifically designed for meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections. To be eligible, students must have a parental income of not more than ₹3.5 lakh per annum and must be studying in a government or government-aided school. The selection was based on a state-level examination consisting of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This year saw a significant increase in participation from rural districts in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The scholarship amount is credited directly into the bank accounts of the selected students through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. This ensures transparency and prevents delays in the disbursement process. Students who have been selected must now ensure that their bank accounts are linked with their Aadhaar numbers. They are also required to renew their scholarship every year on the NSP portal, provided they maintain a certain academic standard and are promoted to the next class.
'The NMMSS has been a lifeline for thousands of students who would have otherwise been forced to leave school due to financial constraints,' said a senior official from the Department of School Education and Literacy. 'By providing this financial support from Class 9 to Class 12, we are ensuring that economic background does not hinder the intellectual growth of our youth.' The government has also seen a positive correlation between the scholarship and improved retention rates in government schools over the last few years.
For students who missed the opportunity this year, the application process for the NMMSS 2026-27 cycle is expected to begin in August 2026. Schools are encouraged to identify eligible students early and provide them with the necessary coaching for the MAT and SAT components of the exam. Several state governments have also launched portal-based training modules to help students prepare for these competitive tests.
As the next step, the selected candidates must complete the 'Fresh Application' registration on the National Scholarship Portal by the end of May to initiate the payment process. Schools and District Education Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to expedite the verification of student applications on the portal. Any issues regarding the non-receipt of the scholarship should be reported to the state nodal officer through the helpdesk provided on the NSP website.