The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme was started in 2008 and is being run by the Ministry of Education to help poor but bright students. It is given so they don’t leave school after Class 8 and are encouraged to study more. Every year, 1,00,000 fresh scholarships are given to Class 9 students, and it can be continued till Class 12 if the marks are good. An amount of Rs. 12,000 per year is being given under this scheme. Only students from weaker sections and with good marks are selected. The scheme is being continued for 5 more years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 under the 15th Finance Commission. A fixed number of scholarships is given to each State and UT, and the list is in Annexure I.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) was made by the Government of India and is used for applying for different scholarships in one place, so students don’t have to visit many sites. It is a single website where students from all over can register once and use the same details again for next time. Applications are filled out online, and documents are uploaded too, and then the status can be checked anytime by students. The money is sent straight to the bank by DBT, which is helping students a lot. Things are done fast, and mistakes are less seen. Many scholarships from central and state governments are included. NSP is helping poor and bright students, and was made to save time and give help in an easy way.
Also Read: NSP Scholarship Payment Status
Motive of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
The main motive of the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship is to give support to students who study well but don’t have enough money, so they don’t leave school after class 8. Many children are forced to stop their studies because money is not there, so this scholarship is given to help them continue till class 12. It was started by the government for poor but bright students, and every year, many are selected. The help is sent directly, and students feel encouraged to study more and do better.
Key Highlights of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
| Name of the Scholarship | National Means Cum Merit Scholarship |
| Launched by | Government of India |
| Objective | To help poor students stay in school |
| Launched in | Year 2008 |
| Class Level | From Class 9 to 12 |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 12,000 every year |
| Given to | Class 8 passed students |
| Test Required | MAT and SAT test |
| Family Income Limit | Not more than Rs. 3,50,000 |
| Mode of Transfer | Money goes into the student’s bank |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | NSP Website |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the scholarship program are as follows:
- The income of parents from all sources should not be more than Rs. 3,50,000 in one year, or the student will not be allowed.
- At least 55% marks should be obtained by the student in the Class 7 exam to appear in the test.
- For SC and ST students, 5% less marks is also okay, so they can also apply.
- The student must be studying as a regular student in a Government, Government-aided, or local body school only.
- If the student is from KVS, NVS, or any big hostel school, then a scholarship will not be given.
- Some seats are kept for reserved students, and this is done as per the rules of the State Government.
Financial Benefits
The financial benefits of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme are as follows:
- A scholarship amount of Rs. 12,000 is being given every year to each student who gets selected, and this money really helps with studies.
- The full amount is sent directly to the student’s bank account by the government, so no delay is expected.
- This money can be used for buying books, paying school fees, and also for other things needed in school.
- The scholarship starts from Class 9, and if the student keeps passing with good marks, it can be continued till Class 12.
- It is given once time in a year, and students feel supported because some study stress is removed.
Also Read: scholarship.up.gov.in Status
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
| Scheme Opens | 2nd June 2025 |
| Student Application Last Date | 31st August 2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Last Date | 15th September 2025 |
| Institute Verification Last Date | 15th September 2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Last Date | 30th September 2025 |
Required Documents
The following documents are required while applying for the scholarship program:
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook
- Income Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Bonafide Certificate from School
- Previous Class Marksheet
- Passport Size Photograph
Selection Process
The selection process for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme includes:
- A test is done by every State and UT when a student is in Class 8.
- The test has two parts, called the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and both are important.
- Students should get at least 55% marks in Class 7 to sit in the test, but for SC/ST students, 5% less is okay.
- MAT will have 90 questions that test thinking, reasoning, and patterns, and the questions can be tricky.
- SAT also has 90 questions from subjects like Science, Maths, and Social Studies from Classes 7 and 8.
- Each test will be for 90 minutes, and students with disabilities are given more time.
- To pass, students must get 40% marks in both tests together, and for SC/ST students, 32% marks is enough.
- In the Class 8 exam, at least 55% marks must be obtained to get the scholarship, and for SC/ST, 5% less is fine.
- All other rules and conditions in the scheme must also be followed by the student.
Also Read: Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Apply Online
To Apply Online for National Means Cum Merit Scholarship, please follow these below mentioned steps:
- Step 1: Those applicants who are eligible for the scholarship, should visit the NSP Website to apply for National Means Cum Merit Scholarship.
- Step 2: At first, all the applicants should register under the portal, for which you have to go to the homepage of the official website, and then click on the “Students” option.
- Step 3: Then you will be directed to another page. Now, click on the “Login” button, which is available under the “OTR” section, to proceed further.
- Step 4: Now, again, you will be directed to another page, and you should now click on the “Register” section to pop open the registration form.
- Step 5: And now you will see that the registration form will appear on your screen. Now fill out the form carefully with all the details such as personal details, contact details, etc.
- Step 6: After completion of your registration form, you have to submit it to complete the registration process, and then you can apply for the scholarship after you are registered.
- Step 7: Again, you have to go to the homepage of the official website and click on the four lines, and then click on the “Schemes on NSP” option to proceed with the application process.
- Step 8: You will see various that the various scholarships will appear on your screen, you have to click on “Department of School Education & Literacy” option and then the “National Means Cum Merit Scholarship” will appear on your screen.
- Step 9: You should now click on the “Apply Now” option, and then the application form will appear on your screen. Now fill out the application form carefully.
- Step 10: You also have to attach all the required documents along with the application form and verify the application form carefully before submitting.
- Step 11: Once you have verified the application form carefully, you should now submit it to complete the application process.
- Step 12: At last, you will receive the application number. You can keep the application number with you for your future use.
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Renewal
For Renewal of National Means Cum Merit Scholarship, please follow these below steps as mentioned below:
- Step 1: Those applicants who are already registered for National Means Cum Merit Scholarship, can visit the official website at https://scholarships.gov.in/ for renewal process.
- Step 2: Once you reach the homepage of the official website, you should click on the “Students” option to proceed further.
- Step 3: You will be directed to another page, and now you have to click on the “Login” button, which is available under the “OTR” section, to move ahead.
- Step 4: Again, on another page, you will be directed, and now you have to enter the OTR (One Time Registration) number (which you have received at the time of registration).
- Step 5: Now you have to go to the homepage of the official website again and click on the four lines, and then click onthe “Schemes on NSP” option to proceed with the renewal process.
- Step 6: You will see that the various scholarships appear on your screen, you have to click on “Department of School Education & Literacy” option and “National Means Cum Merit Scholarship” will show on your screen.
- Step 7: Now, you should click on the “Renewal Application” option, and the renewal form will appear on your screen. Now, fill out the renewal form carefully with all the required details.
- Step 8: Attach all the documents, along with the application form if required, and verify the renewal form carefully before submitting.
- Step 9: Once you have verified the renewal form carefully, click on the Submit button to complete the renewal process.
- Step 10: At last, you will receive the application number, and then you can keep the application number safe with you for future reference.
Important Download
Helpline Number
Office Address:
- National Scholarship Division, Ministry of Human Resource Development,
- Department of Higher Education, West Block 1,
- 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,
- R. K. Puram, Sector 1,
- New Delhi 110066
- Helpline No: 0120-6619540
- Email ID: helpdesk[at]nsp[dot]gov[dot]in
FAQs
Who can apply for the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship?
Students who are studying in Class 8 in government, government-aided, or local body schools and whose parents earn less than Rs. 3.5 lakh per year are eligible to apply.
How much scholarship amount is provided to selected students?
Each selected student is awarded Rs. 12,000 per year. The amount is given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) every year from Class 9 to Class 12 if they qualify and maintain performance.
What is the main aim of the National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme?
This scheme was started to help bright students from poor families. It wants to stop them from leaving school after Class 8 and support them to finish Class 12.
What is the selection process for the scholarship?
States and UTs conduct two tests: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Students must pass both tests and meet eligibility marks to be selected.
Can the scholarship be renewed every year automatically?
No, students must apply for renewal every year through NSP. They must maintain the minimum required marks in each class and fulfill other rules to keep receiving the scholarship money.