National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Assam 2026-27: Exam & Scholarship Application

What is NMMS?

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, launched to reduce the dropout rate at Class VIII and encourage meritorious students from economically weaker sections to continue their studies through Class IX to XII. Selection happens through a state-level written test (MAT-SAT) taken while the student is in Class VIII. Selected students receive ₹12,000 per year, credited directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), continuing every year from Class IX to XII subject to academic promotion. In Assam, the scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE), Assam, with a state quota of 2,411 scholarships per year.

Part A: NMMS Scholarship Application 2026-27 (For Already-Selected Students)

If your child cleared the NMMS Examination in 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025, a fresh or renewal application must be submitted every year on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to actually receive the ₹12,000 payment for that academic session. This is separate from the entrance exam and applies only to students who have already qualified.

Who should apply in Part A

• Students selected in the NMMS Examination 2025 → submit a fresh application for scholarship session 2026-27 on NSP, using the OTR already created during the exam application. Do not create a new OTR.
• Students selected in NMMS Exam 2024, 2023, or 2022 (currently in Class X, XI, or XII) → submit a Renewal Application on NSP using the existing OTR.

Part B: NMMS Examination 2026 (For Current Class VIII Students)

This is the state-level written test that decides who gets selected for NMMS from the next batch. It is open to students currently studying in Class VIII in Government, Provincialised, or Local Body schools in Assam. Students from private schools may sit the exam but will not be eligible for the scholarship. The DSE Assam application portal for the NMMS Examination 2026 is now live on the Bidyarthi portal.

Reference: Previous Year’s Schedule (NMMS Exam 2025, for comparison)

Eligibility Criteria

For the NMMS Entrance Exam (Class VIII students)

• Currently studying in Class VIII in a Government, Provincialised, or Local Body school in Assam
• Scored at least 55% marks in Class VII annual exam (relaxed to 50% for SC/ST students)
• Parental/guardian annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹3,50,000
• Must have a One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal before applying for the exam
• Students of KVs, JNVs, Sainik Schools, and private schools are not eligible for the scholarship even if they sit the test

To Continue Receiving the Scholarship (Class IX–XII)

• Must have qualified the NMMS Examination and been selected under the Assam quota
• Must maintain minimum required academic performance each year for renewal
• Must submit the fresh/renewal application on NSP every year within the prescribed date
• Aadhaar must remain seeded with an active, NPCI-mapped bank account

Selection Process (For the Entrance Exam)

Selection is based on a single written test with two papers, both Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format:

To qualify, students must score a combined minimum of 40% marks in MAT + SAT (relaxed to 32% for SC/ST candidates). The question paper is set in Assamese, English, Hindi, Bengali, and Bodo medium; the OMR answer sheet is in English only. Children with disabilities are given extra time as per norms. Final selection follows a merit list, limited to the state’s annual quota of 2,411 scholarships.

Scholarship Amount & Disbursement

• ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month), payable from Class IX through Class XII
• Paid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through PFMS
• Continuation each year is subject to academic promotion and timely renewal application on NSP

Documents Required

• Aadhaar Card of the student
• Bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded account, in student’s name)
• Class VII marksheet (for exam application) or Class VIII/latest marksheet (for renewal)
• Income certificate of parents/guardian (not exceeding ₹3,50,000 per annum)
• Caste/category certificate, if applicable
• Passport-size photograph and signature (scanned, per portal specifications)
• School ID/bonafide certificate from Head of Institution

How to Apply

A. Scholarship Application/Renewal (Selected Students) — NSP

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in
2. Log in using your existing OTR (created during the NMMS exam application) — do not create a fresh OTR
3. Select “NMMS Scheme” and choose Fresh Application (2025 selectees) or Renewal Application (2022/2023/2024 selectees)
4. Fill in academic, bank, and Aadhaar details, and upload required documents
5. Submit before 31 August 2026 and note your application number for tracking
6. Ensure your school (HOI) and district office (DNO) complete their verification within the deadlines shown above

B. Entrance Exam Application (Current Class VIII Students) — Bidyarthi/DSE Assam

1. Visit bidyarthi.co.in or the Bidyarthi mobile app (also linked from madhyamik.assam.gov.in)
2. Click on “NMMS 2026 Application” under the Scheme menu
3. Complete OTR on NSP first, if not already done
4. Fill in personal, school, and income details; upload photograph, signature, and income certificate
5. Pay the exam application fee online (fee for the 2026 cycle to be confirmed on the portal)
6. Submit and download the confirmation/application receipt for your records

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)