NMMS Scholarship 2026-27: October Last Dates, Eligibility, and How to Apply

If your child studies in Class 8 in a government or government-aided school, this week matters. Applications for the NMMS scholarship 2026-27, worth Rs 12,000 a year from Class 9 to Class 12, are closing in October in several states, and Maharashtra's last date was 21 October itself. Here are the deadlines still open and how to apply.

What is the NMMS scholarship?

NMMS stands for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme, a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Education. Its purpose is simple: stop meritorious students from economically weaker families from dropping out after Class 8. Every year, 1,00,000 students are selected through state-level exams, and each selected student receives Rs 12,000 per year from Class 9 through Class 12.

These details come from the official SCERT notifications for 2026-27, including the Chandigarh and Odisha state circulars, which publish the scheme rules along with their exam schedules.

Who can apply for NMMS 2026-27?

The eligibility rules are the same across states, per the official notifications:

• Class and school: The student must be studying in Class 8 in a government, local body, or government-aided school. Students of private unaided schools cannot apply. Students in fully residential government schools such as Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools are also not eligible, since their expenses are already covered.
• Marks: At least 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in the Class 7 annual exam, with a 5% relaxation for SC and ST students.
• Family income: Parental income from all sources must not exceed Rs 3.5 lakh per year. An income certificate issued by the state government has to be attached with the application.

NMMS 2026-27 last dates by state

NMMS applications are handled by each state's SCERT, so every state has its own dates and its own portal. As of 21 October 2026, according to the state-wise tracker maintained by Careers360, these applications are still open:

• Chhattisgarh: 23 October (through schools)
• Haryana: 24 October (online)
• Gujarat: 24 October (through schools, offline)
• Andhra Pradesh: 27 October (through schools)
• Karnataka: 30 October (online)
• Uttarakhand: 31 October (through schools, offline)
• Mizoram: 6 November (through schools, offline)
• Assam: 8 November (online)

Maharashtra's window closed on 21 October, and several large states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, and Punjab, have already closed their applications for this year. If your state is in that list, mark August to September next year in your calendar, because most states open their forms then.

One caution: states occasionally extend deadlines, so always confirm the final date on your state SCERT's official website or with your child's school before assuming a window has closed.

The NMMS selection exam: what to expect

Selection happens through a state-level written test, usually held between November and December. Two confirmed examples from official notifications: Chandigarh's exam is on 15 November 2026, and Odisha's is on 6 December 2026. Results are typically announced around March.

The exam has two papers:

• Mental Ability Test (MAT): 90 questions testing reasoning and problem-solving.
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 90 questions covering science, social science, and mathematics as taught in Classes 7 and 8.

There is no separate syllabus to buy or download; the SAT follows the Class 7 and 8 curriculum the student is already studying. To qualify, a student must score at least 40% in aggregate across both papers (32% for SC and ST students). Many states, such as Odisha, charge no exam fee at all.

How to apply

1. Visit your state SCERT's official website and find the NMMS 2026-27 section, or ask your child's school, since several states route applications through schools.
2. Register with basic details, then fill the application form.
3. Upload or attach the documents: Aadhaar card, school ID, Class 7 marksheet, and the parental income certificate.
4. Pay the application fee where applicable (some states charge none), submit, and save the confirmation slip.

A practical tip: do not wait for the last date. School-routed applications need the principal's signature and records, and that takes a few working days.

How to help your child prepare

Two months is enough time if the preparation is focused. The MAT rewards practice with reasoning puzzles, and the SAT is simply Class 7 and 8 maths, science, and social science done thoroughly. Previous years' question papers from your state SCERT are the single best resource. If your child needs structured help in maths or science fundamentals, a one-on-one tutor can close gaps faster than self-study; our complete guide to finding home tuition near you explains how to choose one, and whether online tuition works for younger children covers the online option. For older siblings heading toward boards, our CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2027 post is worth a read too.

FAQs

How much money does the NMMS scholarship give?

Each selected student receives Rs 12,000 per year from Class 9 through Class 12, which is Rs 48,000 in total over four years, per the Ministry of Education scheme rules published in state SCERT notifications.

Can private school students apply for NMMS?

No. Only students studying in Class 8 in government, local body, or government-aided schools are eligible. Students of private unaided schools, and of fully residential government schools like Navodaya and Sainik Schools, cannot apply.

When is the NMMS exam 2026-27?

Each state conducts its own exam, mostly between November and December 2026. Confirmed examples from official notifications: Chandigarh on 15 November 2026 and Odisha on 6 December 2026. Check your state SCERT's website for your date.

What is the income limit for NMMS 2026-27?

Parental income from all sources must be Rs 3.5 lakh per year or less. You need an income certificate issued by the state government to apply, so arrange it before the deadline if you do not already have one.

The NMMS rewards a Class 8 student for four full years. If your child is eligible and your state's window is still open, treat it as this week's task: collect the income certificate, talk to the school, and submit the form.