Eligible students can submit fresh and renewal applications under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for the 2026–27 academic year until August 31.

Applications must be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.

The scheme supports meritorious students from economically weaker sections and seeks to prevent them from leaving school after Class 8.

One lakh fresh scholarships are awarded every year to eligible Class 9 students. The scholarship can be renewed for Classes 10, 11 and 12, subject to the prescribed academic and eligibility requirements.

It applies to students studying in state-government, government-aided and local-body schools.

Verification Deadlines

After students submit their applications, the forms must undergo two levels of verification:

From the 2026–27 academic year, an eligible student may apply for one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based scholarship schemes simultaneously, provided the conditions of each scheme are fulfilled.

Applicants should ensure that their name, bank-account details, Aadhaar information and school records match. Incorrect or incomplete information can delay verification and payment.