The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, organised a one-day workshop on 06th December 2025 with State and Union Territory officials to review the performance and finalise strategies for more effective implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS).

The session began with the Ministry highlighting the features of National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), one of the Ministry's key Central Sector Schemes providing one lakh fresh scholarships every year to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society. The scheme is designed to reduce dropout rates after Class VIII and encourage students to complete their schooling up to Class XII.

Emphasizing the importance of close collaboration between the Central Government and State/UT administrations, it was suggested to enhance outreach, improve delivery and ensure that the scheme effectively reaches eligible beneficiaries.

A detailed presentation on NMMSS was delivered, covering performance review from 2021–22 to 2024–25, quota utilisation, conduct of the NMMSS examination and challenges in scholarship renewals. This was followed by stakeholder consultations with State and UT Nodal Officers in hybrid mode.

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds. Every year, one lakh scholarships are awarded to Class IX students, renewable for Classes X to XII. Students studying in Government, Government-aided and local body schools are eligible. The scholarship amount is 7,12,000  per annum, and students whose parental income does not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum are eligible to apply. For the selection test, students must have secured at least 55 % percent marks in Class VII, with a relaxation of 5 percent for SC and ST students.

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AK

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