The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year 2024-25. Eligible students now have until September 30, 2024, to submit their applications via the National Scholarship Portal at scholarship.gov.in.
About NMMSS
The NMMSS aims to provide financial assistance to academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is designed to reduce dropout rates at the Class VIII level and encourage students to continue their secondary education.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NMMSS, students must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Performance: Students must have secured at least 55% in their Class 7 examination. A 5% relaxation is provided for SC and ST students.
- Current Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in Class 8 in a government, government-aided, or local body school. Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, or private schools are not eligible.
- Family Income: The family’s annual income should not exceed Rs 3,50,000 from all sources.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply for NMMSS 2024:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
- Complete the one-time registration using your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Search for and select the NMMSS scholarship scheme.
- Fill out the application form with accurate details.
- Upload the necessary documents and verify all details.
- Submit the application and save a copy for future reference.
Scholarship Amount
The scholarship amount varies by class and category:
- Class 9 Students:
- General Category: Rs 12,000 per year
- SC/ST Categories: Rs 50,000 per year
- Class 10 Students:
- General Category: Rs 12,000 per year
- SC/ST Categories: Rs 57,000 per year
Exam Pattern
The NMMSS exam comprises two sections:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT): 90 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, analogies, classification, numerical series, pattern perception, hidden figures, etc.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 90 MCQs on subjects like Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics based on the NCERT syllabus from Classes 7 and 8.
Each section has a time limit of 90 minutes, with additional time provided for students with special abilities.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply before the deadline to take advantage of this valuable scholarship opportunity.
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