The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) is a central government initiative launched in 2008 aiming to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to reduce dropout rates at the secondary stag
 
Key details of the scheme:

• Objective: To arrest dropout rates of bright but economically disadvantaged students at class VIII and motivate them to continue education till class XII.
• Eligibility: Students whose parental income is not more than Rs. 3,50,000 per annum (varies by revised rules) and studying in eligible schools except Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, private, or residential schools.
• Duration: Scholarship awarded for 4 years (class 9 to 12).
• Scholarship Amount: Rs. 12,000 per annum paid monthly or quarterly.
• Selection: Through a State-level examination consisting of two tests—Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) conducted at class VIII level.
• Performance criteria: Minimum 55% marks in class VII exam (relaxation for SC/ST) to appear for the test; minimum 40% aggregate in MAT and SAT to pass. Continuance requires maintaining 55%-60% marks in further classes with relaxation for SC/ST.
• Scholarship disbursement is through Direct Benefit Transfer to students' bank accounts.
• Approximately 100,000 scholarships are awarded annually based on state quotas.

The scheme's main objective is to promote education among talented but economically disadvantaged students to decrease dropout rates at the secondary and higher secondary levels and improve educational equity.

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