New Delhi, December 12, 2025:
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, conducted a one-day workshop on 6 December 2025 with officials from States and Union Territories to review the implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) and formulate strategies for improving its delivery and outreach.
The workshop served as a platform for collaborative discussions between the Centre and State/UT administrations to strengthen one of the Ministry’s most significant scholarship programmes aimed at reducing dropout rates and supporting meritorious students from economically weaker sections (EWS).
Ministry Highlights Features and Impact of NMMSS
Opening the session, the Ministry presented an overview of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme, a flagship Central Sector Scheme offering one lakh fresh scholarships each year.
The scheme is designed to:
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Support meritorious students from EWS backgrounds
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Reduce dropouts after Class VIII
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Encourage completion of schooling up to Class XII
Students studying in Government, Government-aided, and local body schools are eligible for support.
The scholarship is awarded to Class IX students and is renewable for Classes X–XII, ensuring continued financial assistance throughout secondary and higher secondary education.
Key Eligibility Criteria and Scholarship Benefits
Under the scheme:
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Parental income must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum
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Students must secure at least 55% marks in Class VII
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5% relaxation is provided for SC/ST candidates
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The scholarship amount totals ₹12,000 per annum (correct interpretation from scheme guidelines)
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The scheme mandates a selection test conducted by States/UTs
(Note: PIB text contains a typographical error reading “7,12,000 per annum,” but the official NMMSS scholarship amount is ₹12,000 per year.)
Workshop Reviews Performance from 2021–22 to 2024–25
A detailed presentation was made covering:
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Scheme performance over four academic years
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State-wise quota utilisation
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Conduct of the NMMSS examination
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Challenges faced during scholarship renewals
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Gaps in beneficiary identification and timely disbursal
Following the presentation, State and UT Nodal Officers participated in stakeholder consultations held in hybrid mode, discussing operational improvements and best practices.
Focus on Strengthening Delivery and Expanding Outreach
Officials emphasized the need for strong coordination between Central and State governments to:
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Improve scheme awareness among eligible students
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Address administrative bottlenecks
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Strengthen monitoring mechanisms
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Ensure timely examination, verification, and scholarship disbursal
DoSEL urged all participants to adopt innovative outreach strategies, especially in rural and underserved areas, so that maximum eligible beneficiaries can avail the scholarship.
Conclusion
The workshop reinforced the Ministry of Education’s commitment to ensuring that the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme reaches all deserving students, providing them with academic stability, financial support, and motivation to pursue higher education.
By reviewing performance and identifying implementation challenges, the Ministry and States/UTs aim to streamline processes and enhance the impact of NMMSS in reducing dropouts and enabling equitable learning opportunities nationwide.
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Source: PIB
