National Scholarship Portal Opens for NMMSS Applications for AY 2024-25
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has opened for applications for the National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year (AY) 2024-25. This scholarship program financially supports students from economically weaker sections who are pursuing secondary education in India.
What is NMMSS?
NMMSS is a centrally-funded scholarship scheme implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. It aims to award scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying in Class 9 to 12.
Eligibility for NMMSS
Students must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for NMMSS:
- Class Requirement: Must be studying in Class 9 or 10 in a recognized school in India.
- Domicile: Should be an Indian citizen.
- Family Income: Belong to a family with an annual income from all sources not exceeding INR 6,00,000.
- Academic Performance:
- Secured at least 55% marks in the previous qualifying examination (Class 8 for Class 9 applicants).
- Belong to a minority community (Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, or Parsi) – the minimum marks requirement is relaxed by 5%.
- Entrance Exams (Optional): Students appearing for entrance exams to Science and Mathematics streams in Class 11 will be given priority.
Benefits of NMMSS
The NMMSS scholarship provides financial assistance to students at INR 12,000 per year. This amount is directly credited to the student’s bank account.
How to Apply
The application process for NMMSS is entirely online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Here’s a detailed guide:
One-Time Registration (OTR) [New for AY 2024-25]
- Students applying for NMMSS for the first time in AY 2024-25 need to complete a one-time registration (OTR) on the NSP. This OTR generates a unique registration number that will be valid throughout the student’s academic career for applying to scholarships on the NSP.
- Visit the NSP website (https://scholarships.gov.in/) and click on “New Registration” under the “One Time Registration” section.
- Fill out the required details and submit the OTR application form.
- You will receive a 14-digit registration number via SMS and email upon successful registration.
Applying for NMMSS Scholarship
- Login to the NSP portal using the OTR registration number.
- Under the “Scholarships” section, select “National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)”.
- Choose the appropriate scholarship category (Fresh/Renewal).
- Fill out the online application form carefully, ensuring all details are accurate.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents (mentioned below).
- Review the application form thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the application form and take a printout for your reference.
Required Documents
- Student’s Aadhaar card
- Domicile certificate
- Income certificate of the family (issued by competent authority)
- Previous year’s marksheet (Class 8 for Class 9 applicants)
- School leaving certificate (if applicable)
- Bank account details (student’s account)
- Category certificate (if applicable for minority communities)
- Entrance exam admit card/result (if applicable)
Important Dates
- The application window for fresh and renewal applications for NMMSS for AY 2024-25 typically opens in June/July.
- The exact dates are best accessed through the official NSP website or through press releases from the Ministry of Education (https://pib.gov.in/content/3028_5_more.aspx).
- The last date for submitting applications is usually around August.
Selection Process
NMMSS scholarship applications are scrutinized and selected at the state level. The selection process considers the student’s academic merit, family income, and available scholarship quota for each state/union territory.
NSP Mobile App
The National Scholarship Portal also has a mobile app for students to access and manage their scholarship applications. You can download the app from the Google Play Store and log in using your OTR registration number.
Conclusion
The NMMSS scholarship is a valuable financial resource for students from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue secondary education in India. By following the steps outlined above and meeting the eligibility criteria, students can apply for the scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal. Remember to check the official NSP website for the latest updates on application dates and announcements.
