The Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE), Assam has released the official notification for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Examination 2026 for the academic session 2026-27. A total of 2,411 scholarships are available for eligible students in Assam.
The NMMS Scholarship is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically weaker sections. Selected students receive financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year, payable at ₹1,000 per month.
Students studying in Class VIII in eligible Government, Government-aided, and local body schools can apply for the NMMS examination, subject to the prescribed academic and family-income criteria.
Interested and eligible students can submit their applications online through the official NMMS Assam portal. The application process starts on 12th August 2026, and the last date to apply is 8th November 2026.
NMMS Scholarship 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) |
| Examination | NMMS Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Directorate of Secondary Education, Assam |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Academic Session | 2026-2027 |
| Class | VIII |
| Scholarships in Assam | 2,411 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per annum |
| Exam Date | 28th November 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹180/- to ₹200/- |
NMMS Scholarship Details
Name of Examination: National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Examination, 2026
Name of Scholarship: National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme
Academic Session: 2026-2027
Conducting Authority: Directorate of Secondary Education, Assam
Nodal Agency: Ministry of Education, Government of India
Examination Level: State-level selection under the national scholarship scheme
Eligible Class: Class VIII
Total Scholarships for Assam: 2,411
Application Mode: Online
Date of Examination: 28th November 2026
Technical Helpline: 7977259728 / 8108014947
NMMS Scholarship Amount
Students selected under the NMMS scheme will receive a scholarship of:
₹12,000 per year
This is equivalent to:
₹1,000 per month
The scholarship is intended to provide financial support to meritorious students and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary and higher secondary levels.
NMMS Reservation in Assam
The reservation applicable under the scheme includes:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| PwD | 4% |
NMMS Assam Eligibility Criteria
Students must fulfil the required educational and family-income conditions to appear in the NMMS Examination 2026.
Educational Qualification
Students studying in Class VIII in Government, Government-aided, and local body schools are eligible to apply, subject to the scheme guidelines.
Minimum Marks
Candidates should have secured at least 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination.
For SC/ST candidates, a relaxation of 5% is applicable, making the minimum requirement 50% marks.
Family Income
The annual parental income of the candidate should not exceed:
₹3,50,000 per annum
Candidates may be required to provide appropriate income-related documents as prescribed by the authorities.
School Eligibility
The student must be studying as a regular student in an eligible:
- Government school
- Government-aided school
- Local body school
The scholarship can continue from Class IX to Class XII for a maximum period of four years, subject to fulfilling the continuation requirements.
Who Cannot Apply for NMMS Scholarship?
The following students are generally not eligible for the NMMS scholarship:
- Students studying in private schools.
- Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
- Students studying in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
- Students studying in residential schools run by State Government institutions where boarding, lodging and education are provided.
Students should carefully check the official guidelines before submitting the application.
NMMS Examination Fee 2026
Candidates have to pay the prescribed examination fee according to their category.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | ₹180/- |
| PwD | ₹175/- |
| UR/OBC | ₹200/- |
How to Apply for NMMS Assam Scholarship 2026?
Eligible students can apply online through the official NMMS Assam application portal.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official NMMS Assam application portal.
- Complete the required registration process.
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) as instructed.
- Enter the candidate’s personal and educational details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Upload the candidate’s photograph and signature.
- Upload caste or disability certificates, wherever applicable.
- Pay the examination fee according to the category.
- Carefully check all details entered in the application form.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and keep a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
Documents Required for NMMS Application
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Candidate’s signature
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Educational details and marks
- Other documents as required by the official application portal
NMMS Assam Exam Pattern 2026
The NMMS examination consists of two papers:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Both papers contain objective-type multiple-choice questions.
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 | 90 |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 | 90 |
| Total | 180 | 180 |
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
The MAT generally assesses the student’s reasoning and analytical abilities. Questions may cover areas such as:
- Analogy
- Classification
- Numerical series
- Pattern recognition
- Logical reasoning
- Verbal and non-verbal reasoning
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The SAT assesses students’ knowledge of subjects studied at the school level, particularly:
- Science
- Social Science
- Mathematics
The question paper will be available in the prescribed languages mentioned in the official notification.
NMMS Qualifying Marks
Candidates must qualify in both MAT and SAT according to the prescribed criteria.
Students must secure at least 40% marks in aggregate in MAT and SAT taken together.
For SC/ST candidates, the minimum qualifying requirement is 32% marks.
Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed Class VII academic requirement.
NMMS Scholarship Continuation Criteria
After selection, students must continue to meet the prescribed academic requirements to receive the scholarship in subsequent classes.
The student should obtain:
- 55% marks in Class IX and XI
- 60% marks in Class X
A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable to SC/ST candidates, as per the scheme guidelines.
NMMS Assam Exam Medium
The NMMS question paper will be available in the languages prescribed by the Assam authorities, including:
- Assamese
- English
- Hindi
- Bengali
- Bodo
The OMR sheet will be in English medium as specified in the examination guidelines.
NMMS Assam Exam Date 2026
The NMMS Examination 2026 for Assam is scheduled to be held on:
28th November 2026
Candidates should download their e-admit card within the prescribed period and check the examination centre details carefully.
Important Dates of NMMS Assam 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 12th August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 8th November 2026 |
| E-Admit Card | 12th November 2026 |
| NMMS Examination | 28th November 2026 |
Important Web Links of NMMS Assam Scholarship
| Service | Link |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| NSP Registration | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Guidelines | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
NMMS Scholarship Selection Process
The selection of students will be based on their performance in the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Candidates must qualify in both tests and satisfy the prescribed minimum marks and eligibility conditions.
The final selection will be made according to the applicable merit, reservation and scholarship guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is NMMS Scholarship 2026?
NMMS stands for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scholarship Scheme designed to support meritorious students from economically weaker families.
Q2. How many NMMS scholarships are available in Assam?
A total of 2,411 scholarships are available for eligible students in Assam.
Q3. Who can apply for NMMS Assam 2026?
Eligible students studying in Class VIII in Government, Government-aided and local body schools can apply, subject to the prescribed academic and income criteria.
Q4. What is the NMMS scholarship amount?
Selected students receive ₹12,000 per year, equivalent to ₹1,000 per month.
Q5. What is the family income limit for NMMS?
The annual parental income should not exceed ₹3.50 lakh, subject to the applicable scheme guidelines.
Q6. What is the NMMS Assam examination date?
The NMMS Examination 2026 in Assam is scheduled for 28th November 2026.
Q7. What is the minimum qualifying mark in NMMS?
Candidates generally need at least 40% aggregate marks in MAT and SAT, while the requirement for SC/ST candidates is 32%.
Q8. Can private school students apply for the NMMS scholarship?
Students studying in private schools are not eligible for the NMMS scholarship under the stated eligibility conditions.
Q9. What are the NMMS examination papers?
The examination consists of Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Q10. Where can students apply for NMMS Assam 2026?
Students can submit their application through the official NMMS Assam application portal during the application period.
Conclusion
The NMMS Scholarship 2026 Assam is an important opportunity for eligible Class VIII students who want financial support for continuing their education. With 2,411 scholarships available in Assam and financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year, students should carefully check the eligibility requirements and complete the online application before the deadline.
The NMMS Assam application process starts on 12th August 2026 and ends on 8th November 2026, while the examination is scheduled for 28th November 2026.
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