New Delhi, Dec. 12, 2025: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education organised a one-day workshop on 6 December 2025 with State and Union Territory officials to review progress and finalise strategies for stronger implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS).
The Ministry opened the session by outlining key features of the NMMSS, a major Central Sector Scheme that provides one lakh fresh scholarships each year to meritorious students from economically weaker sections. The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates after Class VIII and motivate students to complete schooling up to Class XII. Officials stressed the need for close coordination between the Centre and State/UT administrations to expand outreach, strengthen service delivery and ensure that eligible students receive the benefits.
A detailed presentation on NMMSS covered performance from 2021–22 to 2024–25, quota utilisation, conduct of the scholarship examination and challenges related to scholarship renewals. This was followed by consultations with State and UT Nodal Officers held in hybrid mode.
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme supports meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds. Each year, one lakh scholarships are awarded to Class IX students and renewed up to Class XII. Students enrolled in Government, Government-aided and local body schools are eligible. The scholarship amount is ₹12,000 per annum, and applicants must belong to families with an annual parental income not exceeding ₹3,50,000. For the selection test, students must have secured at least 55% marks in Class VII, with a 5% relaxation for SC and ST students.
Source: Ministry of Education via PIB
