NMMSS extension approved by the government

The government has approved the extension of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) for a period of five years.

The Central Sector National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) has been approved for continuation for a period of five years, that is from the year 2021-22 to the year 2025-26. The extension will be done over the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

Since the scheme's inception in 2008-09, 22.06 lakh scholarships have been awarded, at a total cost of Rs 1783.03 crore.

With a budget of Rs1827.00 crores allocated for the initiative, it is intended to award scholarships to 14.76 lakh students.

Among the changes, the income ceiling has been increased from Rs.1.5 lakh per annum to Rs.3.5 lakh per annum. The renewal criteria under the scheme have also been revised.

The scheme's objective is to award students of economically weaker sections who are meritorious to stop their drop-out rates at the eighth grade to encourage them to continue their education at a secondary stage.

Every year, one lakh fresh scholarships amounting to Rs 12,000 yearly to selected students in Class 9.

This scholarship is awarded at Rs 1000 every month for the year, with the possibility of continuation/renewal in Classes 10 to 12, for study at state-government, government-aided, and local body institutions.