Delhi Government Scholarship 2026: If you have a child or family member studying in Class 8 in a Delhi government or government-aided school, here is a crucial financial update you should know about. The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has officially opened registrations for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2026.
Designed to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections and prevent school dropouts, this government scheme offers a total financial assistance of ₹48,000 spread over four years (from Class 9 through Class 12).
The online application process through school portals is currently underway, with the final deadline set for October 5, 2026. Below is a complete guide on eligibility conditions, exam structure, qualifying marks, and registration details.
Delhi NMMSS Scholarship 2026: Short Details
| Scholarship | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Directorate of Education (DoE), NCT of Delhi |
| Target Audience | Class 8 students studying in Govt, Govt-Aided, or Local Body schools |
| Financial Assistance | ₹1,000 / month (₹12,000 / year) |
| Total Scholarship Amount | ₹48,000 (for 4 years: Class 9 to Class 12) |
| Registration Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| Tentative Exam Date | December 5, 2026 |
| Official Portal | edudel.nic.in |
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limits
To qualify for the NMMSS examination, students must meet specific academic and income thresholds.
- Academic Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 7 during the 2025–26 academic session and be currently enrolled in Class 8.
- General / OBC Category: Minimum 55% marks in Class 7.
- SC / ST / PwD Category: Minimum 50% marks in Class 7.
- Family Income Ceiling: The total annual income of the student’s parents from all sources must not exceed ₹3,50,000 per annum.
- Income Certificate: An authentic Income Certificate issued by an SDM or Tehsildar must be submitted during verification.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Selection is based on a competitive written examination comprising two parts. Both papers are conducted on the same day, with no negative marking for wrong answers.
| Exam Paper | Subject / Focus Area | Total Questions | Total Marks | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 MCQs | 90 Marks | 90 Minutes |
| Paper-II | Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 MCQs | 90 Marks | 90 Minutes |
Qualifying Marks Criteria
To be considered for the merit list, students must secure the minimum passing percentage separately in both MAT and SAT:
- General & OBC Category: Minimum 40% marks in each paper.
- SC, ST & PwD Category: Minimum 32% marks in each paper.
Important Dates & Hall Ticket Information
- Application Start Date: September 9, 2026
- Application Last Date: October 5, 2026
- Exam Date (Tentative): December 5, 2026
- Admit Card Distribution: School Heads (HoS) will issue two attested printed copies of the admit card to candidates by December 4, 2026.
How to Apply (School-Level Registration)
Students cannot register individually directly on the portal. The registration must be completed by the respective school authorities:
- Head of School (HoS) logs into the Delhi Education Department portal at edudel.nic.in using their school credentials.
- The school inputs the student’s academic and family details.
- Data Verification: Details such as the student’s name, date of birth, and father’s name entered in the form must strictly match government identity documents.
- School authorities verify and submit the application form before October 5, 2026.
