The Ministry of Education has announced an extension to the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the 2024-25 academic year. The revised deadline for submission is now September 30, 2024. This extension is intended to ensure that eligible students have ample time to apply and secure this valuable financial support for their education.
The announcement, made via an official notice, directs students to submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Heads of educational institutions have been urged to notify their students and facilitate the completion of all necessary registrations by the new deadline.
The official notice stated, “It is hereby notified that the last date for uploading the applications of new and selected candidates of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) beneficiaries for the year 2024-2025, as well as renewals on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), is extended to September 30, 2024. Heads of institutions are requested to inform the students concerned and complete the registrations within the scheduled time.”
To streamline the application process, students are advised to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) application. Upon successful registration, applicants will receive a unique 14-digit number based on their Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID). The OTR system simplifies the scholarship application process by removing the need for annual re-registration.
The NMMSS is designed to support academically talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with a total of 10,00,000 scholarships awarded each year to students in class VIII. The program aims to reduce dropout rates and encourage continued education through secondary school.
Eligibility for the NMMS requires students to have passed class VIII with a minimum score of 55% (or 50% for SC/ST students) and for their family’s annual income not to exceed Rs 3,50,000. Scholarships are granted based on merit, with selections made by state-level authorities. Students who qualify for the scholarship receive Rs 12,000 annually, an increase from the previous amount of Rs 6,000.
The NMMS exam comprises two sections: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Each test lasts 90 minutes and is worth 90 points.
For more information on the scholarship and to submit applications, students and heads of institutions should visit the National Scholarship Portal before the extended deadline.
