Extended Deadline for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) Applications for 2024-25
The Department of School Education & Literacy has extended the last date for submission of applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to 15th November 2024. This extension offers eligible students additional time to complete their applications, which initially opened on 30th June 2024.
Overview of the NMMSS
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is an initiative aimed at encouraging economically disadvantaged yet academically gifted students to continue their education beyond the elementary level, helping them pursue studies up to the higher secondary level. Every year, one lakh scholarships are awarded to Class IX students who successfully pass the qualifying exam administered by the respective State/UT governments.
The scheme provides:
- Scholarship amount: ₹12,000 per annum per student
- Eligibility: Applicable only to students enrolled in State Government, Government-aided, or local body schools
- Renewal: Scholarships are renewed annually up to Class XII, contingent on satisfactory academic performance
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligible students must complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the NSP before applying for the scholarship scheme. The eligibility requirements include:
- Parental income: Not exceeding ₹3.5 lakh per annum
- Academic requirement: A minimum score of 55% in the Class VII examination (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST students)
To aid students, the NSP provides a FAQ section on its official website: https://scholarships.gov.in/studentFAQs.
Key Dates and Verification Process
The NSP requires applications to undergo a two-tier verification process to ensure authenticity and eligibility:
- Level-1 (L1) verification by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) is due by 30th November 2024
- Level-2 (L2) verification by the District Nodal Officer (DNO) is due by 15th December 2024
Upon successful verification, scholarships will be disbursed directly into students’ bank accounts via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
As of 1st November 2024, the NSP has recorded 86,323 new applications and 162,175 renewal applications for the NMMSS. This number reflects a strong response from students eager to continue their education with financial support through this program.
For more details, students and their families are encouraged to review the NSP website and follow the guidelines to ensure their application is complete and verified within the prescribed deadlines.
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