**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Education, through the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), organized a one-day National Workshop in New Delhi on March 10, 2026. The workshop focused on the effective implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for students from Classes IX to XII. Key discussions included State/UT performance, quota utilization, and scholarship continuity, with an emphasis on timely verification for economically weaker sections.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Workshop Objective:** To discuss the effective implementation of the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) with State/UT and District level officers.
* **Date and Location:** March 10, 2026, in New Delhi.
* **Focus Areas:**
* Review of State/UT performance.
* Targeting quota utilization.
* Scholarship continuity for students in Classes IX to XII.
* Ensuring timely verification by State-Level Officers on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for economically weaker sections.
* **Scheme Details:**
* Awards meritorious students from economically weaker sections to prevent dropout at Class VIII and encourage continuation of education.
* Awards one lakh fresh scholarships annually for students from Class IX, with continuation/renewal in Classes X to XII.
* Scholarships are for students studying in State Government, Government-aided, and local body schools.
* Scholarship amount: Rs. 12,000 per annum.
* **Eligibility Criteria:**
* Parental income not exceeding Rs. 3,50,000 per annum.
* Minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination for the selection test (5% relaxation for SC/ST students).
* **Technical Sessions:**
* Operation of PAO-DBT module by PFMS-MoF & PAO-MoE.
* Aadhar seeding of student beneficiary bank accounts by NPCI.
* Best case practices in NMMSS implementation by Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
* Interactive session on clarification of queries related to the NSP portal.
**Impact Analysis**
* **State/UT and District Level Officers implementing NMMSS**
* **Impact:** Gained practical guidance and solutions for grassroots challenges in scheme implementation. Received clarification on NSP portal queries.
* **Action Required:** Implement improved strategies for timely verification and student-centric execution of the NMMSS.
* **Economically Weaker Section Students (Classes IX-XII)**
* **Impact:** Expected to benefit from timely scholarship payments due to enhanced verification processes and scheme implementation. Continuity of scholarships is emphasized.
* **Action Required:** Continue to meet eligibility criteria regarding academic performance and income. Ensure timely verification of their details on the NSP.
* **Ministry of Education (MoE) and Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced understanding of implementation challenges at the ground level. Demonstrated commitment to timely, transparent, and student-centric scholarship schemes.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and support effective implementation of NMMSS. Address queries and facilitate smooth operation of the NSP.
* **Students eligible for selection test in Class VII**
* **Impact:** Clearer understanding of scholarship eligibility and selection criteria.
* **Action Required:** Achieve minimum marks (55% or equivalent, with relaxation for SC/ST) in Class VII to be eligible for the selection test.
Key Entities Referenced
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS): The central scholarship scheme discussed in the document, aimed at meritorious students from economically weaker sections.
Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL): The ministry department that organized the workshop and implements the scholarship scheme.
Ministry of Education (MoE): The overarching ministry under which DoSEL operates.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Policy framework guiding the implementation of the scholarship scheme.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP): The platform used for timely verification and payment of scholarships.
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education organises one-day
workshop on National Means-cum-Merit
Scholarship Scheme in Delhi
Posted On: 12 MAR 2026 3:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), organized a One
Day National Workshop with State/UT and District level Officers implementing the National Means-cum-
Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) on 10.03.2026 in New Delhi. Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL
chaired the Workshop.
Secretary, DoSEL led the deliberations, focusing on the effective implementation of the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the grassroots level. The review covered State/UT performance,
specifically targeting quota utilization and scholarship continuity for students from Classes IX to XII.
Ms. A. Srija, Economic Advisor, DoSEL, Shri Bhupal Nanda, Principal CCA, MoE, Dr. Pankaj K P
Shreyaskar, Deputy Director General (Statistics), DoSEL were among the officials who were part of the
deliberations.
Dr. Pankaj K.P. Shreyaskar, Deputy Director General (Statistics), highlighted the evolution of UDISE+
into a real-time, digital-first platform. Ms. A. Srija, Economic Advisor (DoSEL), underscored the
necessity of timely verification by State-Level Officers on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to ensure
students from economically weaker sections receive payments without delay.The interactive session with the State Nodal Officers of the scheme provided practical guidance and
solutions to the challenges faced at the grassroot level of the scheme. The initiative reflects DoSEL's
unwavering commitment to ensuring timely, transparent, and student-centric implementation of central
scholarship schemes across the region.
Under the Central Sector Scheme namely the ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme’
scholarships are awarded to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their dropout at
class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary stage. One lakh fresh
scholarships are awarded to selected students from class IX every year and their continuation/renewal in
classes X to XII for students studying in State Government, Government-aided and local body schools.
The amount of the scholarship is Rs. 12000 per annum.
Students whose parental income from all sources is not more than Rs. 3,50,000 per annum are eligible to
avail the scholarships. The students must have a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class
VII examination to appear in the selection test for the award of a scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST
students).
Technical Sessions covered in the Workshop included operation of PAO-DBT module by PFMS-MoF &
PAO-MoE, Aadhar seeding of student beneficiary bank accounts by NPCI, best case practices in
implementation of NMMSS by States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh followed by interactive
session on clarification of queries related to NSP portal raised by the States/UTs by DoSEL and NSP.
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AK
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