The Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan has officially invited online applications for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) Examination for the 2026–27 academic year. Implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the NMMS scheme provides financial support to meritorious students studying in Class 8 across government and aided schools in Kerala. Selected candidates receive a scholarship allowance of ₹12,000 per year throughout Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Kerala NMMS Scholarship 2026–27 Overview
| Exam Name | National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Test 2026–27 |
| Conducting Authority | Pareeksha Bhavan, Kerala |
| Target Class | Class 8 Students (Government and Aided Schools) |
| Scholarship Amount | ₹12,000 per annum (₹48,000 total from Class 9 to Class 12) |
| State Quota (Kerala) | 3,473 Scholarships |
| Application Fee | Nil (Free of Cost) |
| Exam Date | November 7, 2026 |
| Official Portal | nmmse.kerala.gov.in |
Kerala NMMS 2026–27 Eligibility Criteria
- School Category: Students currently studying in Class 8 during the 2026–27 academic year in Kerala Government or Aided schools are eligible to apply.
- Ineligible Institutions: Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), residential schools run by the State Government, and other private recognized schools are not eligible.
- Academic Performance: General category candidates must have secured at least 55% marks in their Class 7 annual examinations (2025–26). A 5% relaxation is granted to SC/ST students (minimum 50% required).
- Family Income: The combined annual family income of the candidate’s parents must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum.
Kerala NMMS Exam 2026–27 Pattern & Syllabus
The NMMS examination is held in an offline pen-and-paper mode using an OMR answer sheet format. The test consists of two sessions lasting 90 minutes each (with extra time provided for candidates with benchmark disabilities):
- Part I – Mental Ability Test (MAT): 90 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) designed to evaluate reasoning and analytical skills, including analogy, classification, numerical series, pattern perception, and hidden figures (90 Marks).
- Part II – Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): 90 Multiple Choice Questions covering core non-language subjects from Class 7 and Class 8 curricula (90 Marks):
- Basic Science: 35 Marks
- Social Science: 35 Marks
- Mathematics: 20 Marks
Each question carries 1 mark. Question papers are available in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada mediums.
Important Dates
| Event | Scheduled Date |
| Online Application Start Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | September 30, 2026 |
| School-Level Headmaster Verification Deadline | October 5, 2026 (by 5:00 PM) |
| NMMS Part I (MAT) Examination | November 7, 2026 (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM) |
| NMMS Part II (SAT) Examination | November 7, 2026 (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM) |
(Note: For candidates with disabilities, Part I will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Part II will run from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.)
Documents Required for Online Application
- Income Certificate: Valid certificate issued by the Village Officer showing an annual family income of less than or equal to ₹3,50,000 (PDF format, size below 100 KB).
- Caste Certificate: Required for students applying under SC/ST reservation categories.
- Disability Certificate: Authorized Medical Board certificate for students applying under the PwD category (minimum 40% benchmark disability).
- Photograph: Recent passport-size photograph taken within the last six months (JPG/JPEG format, 150 × 200 pixels, size 20 KB to 30 KB).
Kerala NMMS 2026–27 How to Apply Online
- Go to the official application portal at nmmse.kerala.gov.in.
- Register and fill out the online application form either directly or through your respective school.
- Ensure that student personal details, date of birth, and identity numbers match the school admission register and bank records identically to prevent disbursement issues.
- Upload the required documents, certificates, and passport photograph within the specified file limits.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation printout.
- Submit the printed copy along with relevant supporting certificates to the school Headmaster/Principal for verification before October 5, 2026 (do not send hard copies to Pareeksha Bhavan).
Important Links
PDF
NMMS Scholarship Exam Notification 2026-27
Click Here Link Active
NMMS Scholarship Exam Application
Click Here
