The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) application for the 2024-25 academic year is open. The key details and steps for applying are as follows:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Grade Requirement: Students must be in Class 8 and have scored at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for reserved categories).
- Income Limit: The annual income of the student’s parents should not exceed ₹3,50,000.
- School Eligibility: Students studying in government, government-aided, local body, and government-sponsored schools are eligible. Those in private schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools are not eligible.
Application Process:
- Online Application:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Register as a new user and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) using details such as Aadhaar number, name, and contact information.
- Fill out the application form, upload required documents (e.g., income certificate, caste certificate, last examination mark sheet), and submit.
- Take a printout of the submitted form for future reference.
- Offline Application:
- Obtain the application form from the student’s school.
- Fill out the form in capital letters, attach the required documents, and submit it to the school office.
Important Dates:
- Application Period: Varies by state. For example, West Bengal’s application period is from July 15 to August 14, 2024, while Himachal Pradesh’s is from August 1 to August 31, 2024.
Exam Details:
- Examination Date: Varies by state. For example, the exam in West Bengal is scheduled for December 15, 2024.
- Format: The exam consists of a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), each with multiple-choice questions.
Additional Information:
- Some states may charge an application fee, while others may not. For example, Telangana charges ₹100 for general and OBC students and ₹50 for SC, ST, and PH students.
Online Application Process:
- Registration:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Register as a new user, providing necessary details like name, date of birth, email, and mobile number.
- One-Time Registration (OTR):
- Complete the OTR using your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID to generate a unique 14-digit OTR number.
- Application Form:
- Fill out the application form with personal, academic, and bank details.
- Upload necessary documents, such as the income certificate, caste certificate, domicile certificate, and the previous year’s mark sheet.
Offline Application Process:
- Form Collection:
- Obtain the NMMS application form from your school.
- Filling the Form:
- Complete the form in capital letters, ensuring all details are accurate.
- Document Submission:
- Attach required documents, including two passport-size photographs, a copy of the income certificate, caste certificate, and the previous year’s mark sheet.
- Submission:
- Submit the completed form and attached documents to the school office.
Important Points:
- Application Fees: Some states may require an application fee, which varies by state and category of the student.
- Submission Deadline: The deadline varies by state; for example, it might be from July 15 to August 31, 2024, in some regions.