The Education Ministry on October 1 extended applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for 2026–27 until October 31. Its release sets November 15 for institute-level verification and November 30 for district-level verification. Careers360 independently reported the revised schedule.
The scheme offers ₹12,000 a year to eligible students in state-government, government-aided and local-body schools. One lakh fresh scholarships are available annually for selected Class Nine students, with renewal through Class Twelve subject to academic conditions. Selection is through the relevant state or Union Territory examination.
The ministry said one-time registration on the National Scholarship Portal is required before applying. For the selection test, the stated Class Seven threshold is 55 per cent, relaxed by five percentage points for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students; annual parental income must not exceed ₹3.5 lakh. Submitting an application does not itself complete verification or guarantee payment.