National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Context

Recently, the government has approved the continuation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) for a period of five years i.e. from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

What is the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)?

• National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme launched in 2008-09 by Ministry of Education.
• This is the Central Sector Scheme.
• It aims to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to deter them from dropping out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary stage.
• The scheme envisages the award of one lakh fresh scholarships every year to selected students of class IX and their continuation/renewal in classes X to XII for study in a State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools.
• An amount of Rs. 12000 (Rs.1000/- per month) per student per annum under this scheme.
• Students are selected for award of scholarships through an examination conducted by the State/ UT Governments. 
• Scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank accounts of students by electronic transfer through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) following DBT mode.

Eligibility criteria to appear in selection test

• Students whose parental income from all sources is not more than Rs.3.5 lakh per annum are eligible to avail of the scholarships.
• The student must have a minimum of 55 % marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination for appearing in the selection test for award of scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC and ST students).
• The student should be studying as a regular student in Government, Government-aided and local body schools. 
• Students of NVS, KVS and residential schools are not entitled to the scholarships.

Other Related Schemes

• NEAT.
• PRAGYATA.
• Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
• Mid Day Meal Scheme.
• Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
• Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF).
• Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC).
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
• National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.