Centre Launches Awareness Drive for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme in UP and North-East New Delhi: The Ministry of Education...
Centre Launches Awareness Drive for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme in UP and North-East
New Delhi: The Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy has initiated a significant awareness drive to promote the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). Focused on Uttar Pradesh and all North-Eastern states, the campaign aims to encourage meritorious students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) to continue their secondary education and reduce dropout rates at the Class 8 level.
Financial Support for Meritorious Students Under the NMMSS, the government awards one lakh fresh scholarships annually to eligible Class 9 students. Selected beneficiaries receive financial assistance of Rs 12,000 per annum (Rs 1,000 per month) to support their studies from Class 9 through Class 12.
The scheme, which saw its scholarship amount doubled from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 in 2017, has been approved for continuation through FY 2025-26 with a total allocation of Rs 1,827 crore.
Eligibility and Exclusions To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet specific criteria:
Income Cap: Parental income from all sources must not exceed Rs 3.5 lakh per annum.
Academic Performance: Students must secure at least 55% marks in Class 7 (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students).
School Type: The scheme is open only to regular students studying in government, government-aided, and local body schools.
Exclusions: Students enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), residential schools, and private schools are not eligible.
Selection Process Candidates are selected based on a State/UT-level examination conducted at the Class 8 level. The exam comprises two sections:
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): Covers Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.
Students must pass both tests with a minimum aggregate of 40% (32% for SC/ST candidates).
Disbursement and Renewal The scheme operates through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), ensuring transparency. Funds are released directly into students' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
To renew the scholarship in subsequent years, beneficiaries must demonstrate consistent academic progress:
Secure 60% marks in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST).
Clear promotion from Class 9 to 10 and Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt.
