NMMS exam stands for National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship. NMMS exam is a Centrally sponsored scholarship scheme. This exam is commonly referred to as the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme, NMMS Exam, or simply NMMS Scholarship. This exam is implemented by the department of School education & literacy under the ministry of human resource development. (MHRD). The main objective of NMMS exam is to financially support meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Exam 2026
Every year, the NMMS scheme encourages disadvantaged students to continue their studies at the secondary level by providing a scholarship of INR 12,000 per year. This NMMS scholarship generally becomes active for the 100,000 scholarships are awarded yearly for their bright future to continue their studies. The selection of students award of the scholarships is made through an examination conducted by the State Governments. Scholarships are disbursed by the State Bank of India (SBI) directly into the bank accounts of students on yearly basis.
NMMS Exam 2026 Scholarship Amount
The scheme was initiated in the year 2008 to provide financial hell to academically talented students belonging to economically weaker sections of society. The NMMS Scholarship awards an amount of Rs 12,000 per year to the deserving students. Every year, a total of 1,00,000 students get benefit from this scholarship scheme. Students who secure a minimum of 55% marks in the Class 8th final examinations are eligible to apply for the NMMS scholarship exam.
NMMS Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The students Must be studying in Class VIII. The student should secure Minimum 55% marks (or equivalent) in Class VII (5% relaxation for SC/ST).In School record, the student should Enrolled in Government, Government-aided, or Local Body schools. Their Parental income from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per year. Students in private schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, or residential schools (not funded by government) are generally excluded.
NMMS 2026 Exam Pattern
NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship) exam is offline exam conducted by the respective states. This is OMR-based test for class 8 students. This exam consistes of two paper. 1st paper is MAT (Mental Ability Test) and 2nd paper is SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). The paper will be 180 Marks.
Total Marks: 180 (90 marks per paper)
Total Time: 3 Hours (90 minutes for per section)
Mode: Offline mode (OMR based)
Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking: Each question carries 1 mark.
Negative Marking: There will be no negative marking.
Mental Ability Test (MAT) consisting of 90 multiple choice questions with four choices on reasoning and critical thinking to be answered in 90 minutes. The questions may be on analogy, classification, numerical series, pattern, perception, hidden figures etc.
2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) consisting of 90 multiple choice items with four choices from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, History, Geography, Political Science and Economics to be answered in 90 minutes.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
| MAT | Reasoning | 90 | 90 |
| SAT | Science | 35 | 35 |
| SAT | Social Science | 35 | 35 |
| SAT | Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| Total | Total SAT | 90 | 90 |
| SAT and MAT | 180 | 180 |
NMMS 2026 Important Documents
Caste Certificate (Recent) – As applicable, forSC / ST / SEBC candidate issued by the concerned competent Authority.
Disability Certificate (UDID Card) – for Physically Handicapped candidates issued by the concerned district medical Board.
Children belong to National Food Security Act-2013 (NFSA) / State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) can produce the supporting document, if Income Certificate is not available.
Income Certificate – Income Certificateof the parents for all candidates (current year) from the concerned competent Authority.
NMMS 2026 Scholarship Continuation Process
•Selected candidates shall receive scholarship Rs.1000/- per month for four years i.e., from Class IX to Class XII subject to satisfactory academic progress and continuance in institutions of eligible category and registration in NSP.
• The awardees should get promotion from Class VIII to Class IX for being eligible to get the scholarship.
• No scholarship at this stage is payable for studying Diploma / Certificate level Courses.
• A student can avail only one Scholarship under any Central Government Scholarship Scheme.
•For continuing the scholarship in Class X and XII the awardees should get clear promotion from Class IX to Class X and from Class XI to Class XII in the first attempt.
• The awardees must obtain a minimum of 60 % marks in Class X (relax-able by 5% for reserved category) examination or equivalent examination for continuation of the scholarship at higher secondary stage.
• Selected students have to submit their continuance certificate and mark sheet of last annual examination in the concerned school every year, after opening of NSP for renewal.
• Awardees must register in NSP for their
scholarship, otherwise they shall be exempted from getting their scholarship.
• Candidate will apply online for fresh in class-IX and renewal registration for class-X to XII in NSP. Then the concerned Institute and District shall verify the details through National
Scholarship Portal every year after examining the eligibility for continuance of scholarship.
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Selection Process 2026
The qualifying mark for General and SEBC is 40% in aggregate of both of the papers, i.e., MAT and SAT. For reserved category (SC, ST)
this qualifying mark is 32% in aggregate of both papers. In case of Tie up, MAT mark and age of the candidates will be given preference
respectively
NMMS Exam 2026 Objectives
Every year, a total number of 100,000 scholarships are distributed by government of indian to the students who qualifies NMMS exam. Every year 12,000 credited to the students in their bank account. i.e. Rs. 1000 per month, to the selected students. Under National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship, the scholarship amount is paid by State bank of India (SBI). The amount is directly pais into the students’ accounts through Public Financial Management System (PFMS). The number of scholarships allocated to each State and UT is done on the basis of students’ enrolment in class 7 & 8 and their population in the respective states.
FAQs Regarding NMMS Exam 2026
Q1. What is the NMMS exam?
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) exam is a scholarship test conducted to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections. It helps students continue their studies from Class 9 to Class 12.
Q2. Who conducts the NMMS exam?
The exam is conducted by State/UT education departments, based on guidelines from NCERT.
Q3. Who is eligible for NMMS?
Students studying in Class 8 in government, government-aided, or local body schools are eligible, subject to income and academic criteria set by the state.
Q4. What is the income limit for NMMS?
The yearly family income should not exceed ₹3,50,000 (may vary slightly by state).
Q5. What is the scholarship amount?
Selected students receive ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) from Class 9 to Class 12, subject to renewal conditions.
Q6. What is the exam pattern?
The NMMS exam has two parts:
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Q7. How many questions are there?
MAT: 90 questions
SAT: 90 questions
Total: 180 questions
Q8. What subjects are included in SAT?
SAT consists of these subjects
Science
Mathematics
Social Science
Q9. What is the duration of the exam?
Each test (MAT and SAT) is usually 90 minutes.
Q10. Is there negative marking?
No, there is generally no negative marking.
Q11. What is the qualifying mark?
40% marks in each paper (General category)
32% marks for reserved categories (SC/ST/PH)
Q12. What documents are required?
Income certificate
Caste certificate (if applicable)
School verification
Aadhaar card
Bank account details
Q13. Can private school students apply?
No, students studying in private schools are not eligible.
Q14. How to apply for NMMS?
Students can apply through trkngmaxnhn
.
Q15. How are results announced?
Results are released by the respective State Education Department online.