| Scholarship Name | NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 |
| Scholarship Provider Name | State Government |
| State | Kerala |
| Education / Course | Class 8 |
| Caste / Category | All Categories, General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, Minority |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 12,000 per year |
| Last Date to Apply | 05-10-2026 |
| Scholarship Status | Open |
NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 applications are now open for eligible Class 8 students. Students studying in Kerala Government and Aided schools can apply for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Examination (NMMSE). The last date to apply online is 30 September 2026 but extended up to 05 October 2026. There is no application fee. Students who are selected for the scholarship will receive Rs. 12,000 per year from Class 9 to Class 12.
About NMMSE Kerala 2026-27
NMMSE is the examination conducted for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme. The main purpose of this scholarship is to support students from families with limited income and help them continue their education after Class 8. Students who qualify for the scholarship receive Rs. 12,000 every year while studying in Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12.
NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 Important Dates
Students should remember the following dates:
- Application Start Date: 15 September 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 30 September 2026
- School Verification Last Date: 5 October 2026 before 5:00 PM
- NMMSE Exam Date: 7 November 2026
Students should complete the online application before the deadline and submit the printed application and documents to their school.
Last Date to Apply Online: 05 October 2026
Eligibility Criteria & Selection Process
- The student must be studying in Class 8 during 2026-27.
- The student must be studying in a Government or Aided school in Kerala.
- The student must have scored at least 55% marks in Class 7 during the 2025-26 academic year.
- For SC/ST students, the minimum required marks are 50%.
- The parents' annual income from all sources should not be more than Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Who Cannot Apply?
Students studying in the following schools are not eligible according to the given NMMSE Kerala details:
- State Government residential schools
- Recognised private unaided schools
- Kendriya Vidyalayas
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
The scholarship also continues only while the student studies in a Government or Aided school in the later classes.
Selection and Reservation
Students must meet the qualifying marks and be included in the merit list. The minimum combined qualifying marks are 40% for General and 32% for SC/ST.
Kerala has 3,473 scholarship seats under the scheme. Reservation includes 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST and 4% for students with disabilities (40% or more).
Required Documents Checklist
- Identity proof of the applicant (linked with active mobile number).
- Recent Passport Size Photograph (JPEG/PNG format).
- Educational Mark Sheets (Previous Year / Qualifying Examination Passed).
- Income Certificate issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar/SDO).
- Domicile / Residential Certificate of the respective state.
- Caste / Category Certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC/EWS quotas).
- Bank Account Passbook front page (showing Account No. and IFSC code).
- Active Admission Receipt or Institution Bonafide Certificate.
Amount & Benefits
Selected students can receive Rs. 12,000 every year from Class 9 to Class 12.
Step-by-Step How to Apply
Students can apply online through the official NMMSE Kerala website.
Step 1: Register
- Visit nmmse.kerala.gov.in.
- Click Candidate Login and select “New Candidate? Register Now.”
- Enter the student's name, date of birth, email ID and mobile number.
- Complete registration and check the SMS for the username and default password.
- Log in and create a new password.
Step 2: Fill the NMMSE Application Form
The application form includes the following sections:
- Basic Details: Enter gender, address, district, caste, category and disability details, if applicable. Upload caste/disability certificates where required.
- Photograph: Upload a recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed format.
- Family Details: Enter parent/guardian details, occupation and annual family income. Upload the income certificate.
- School Details: Provide Class 7 and current Class 8 school details, including the admission number.
- Exam Language: Select Malayalam, English, Tamil or Kannada.
Step 3: Preview and Submit
Carefully check all details and uploaded documents before submitting the application. After final submission, save or print the application form for future reference.
Track Application Status
Track NMMSE Kerala scholarship application status via your headmaster and nmmse.kerala.gov.in. Download the admit card before the 7 November 2026 exam, then check the result online using your roll number.
Common Challenges & Solutions
Students may face problems while filling the NMMSE application, uploading documents, preparing for the exam, or completing school verification. To avoid these issues, students should keep documents ready, check all details carefully, follow the application instructions, practise MAT and SAT regularly and ask teachers or parents for help when needed.
Official Notification & Guidelines
Download Official Guidelines Document ↓
Important Links
| Important Details | Action Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Submit your scholarship application form online |
Apply Online → |
| Official Website Visit portal for complete guidelines & notifications |
Official Website |
| Track Status / Login Check application progress or login to portal |
Track Status |
Contact Details & Help-desk
NMMSE Kerala Student Login: nmmse.kerala.gov.in
School Headmaster Login: nmmse.kerala.gov.in/school
National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in
Helpdesk Email: nmmss.help.desk@gmail.com
Helpdesk Phone: 0471-2546832, 0471-2546833
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the last date for NMMSE Kerala 2026-27? The last date to apply online is 05 October 2026.
Q2. Is there an application fee? No. The NMMSE Kerala application is free.
Q3. How much scholarship is given? Selected students receive Rs. 12,000 per year from Class 9 to Class 12.
Q4. Who can apply for NMMSE Kerala? Class 8 students studying in Kerala Government or Aided schools can apply if they meet the required marks and family income conditions.
Q5. What is the NMMSE Kerala exam date? The exam will be conducted on 7 November 2026.
Q6. What is the family income limit? The parents' annual income should not be more than Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Other Information
The NMMSE Kerala exam consists of two papers: Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Paper 1: Mental Ability Test (MAT)
MAT tests reasoning and thinking skills through topics such as analogy, classification, number series, patterns and hidden figures. It has 90 MCQs.
Paper 2: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
SAT is based on Classes 7 and 8 syllabus and includes 90 MCQs:
- Social Science – 35 marks
- Basic Science – 35 marks
- Basic Mathematics – 20 marks
Each question carries 1 mark. Students with disabilities receive additional time. The question paper is available in English, Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada.
NMMSE Kerala Exam Date and Timing
The NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 exam will be held on 7 November 2026.
| Paper | Regular Students | Students with Disabilities |
|---|---|---|
| MAT | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| SAT | 1:30 PM–3:00 PM | 1:30 PM–3:30 PM |
NMMSE Tie-Breaking
In case of equal marks, preference is given in this order:
- Higher MAT score
- Higher SAT Science score
- Higher SAT Mathematics score
- Higher SAT Social Science score
- Final decision by the Examination Commission
NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 Result Link
Check the NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 Result online at the official website using your registration details, roll number, or login credentials.
Conclusion
NMMSE Kerala 2026-27 is an important scholarship opportunity for eligible Class 8 students studying in Government and Aided schools. The last date to apply online is 005 October 2026, and the examination will be held on 7 November 2026. Selected students can receive Rs. 12,000 every year from Class 9 to Class 12. Students should complete the application carefully, check all documents and submit the printed application to their school for verification before the deadline.
