NMMS 2026-27 Maharashtra: Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Scholarship
by Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), Pune
- exam date
- 20 Dec 2026
- Where
- District exam centres across Maharashtra
- Who can join
- Class 8, govt/aided/local-body school, 55% in Class 7, income below ₹3.5 lakh
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) exam 2026-27 for Class 8 students in Maharashtra will be held on Sunday, 20 December 2026, conducted by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), Pune, for the Ministry of Education's scheme. Students selected get ₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month) from Class 9 to Class 12. As of 24 October 2026, the online application window set in MSCE's notification has ended (last date with extra late fee: 21 October 2026), and admit cards are due about 10 days before the exam.
Key dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Online applications through schools, regular fee | 8 September to 7 October 2026 | Closed |
| Applications with late fee | 8 to 14 October 2026 | Closed |
| Applications with extra late fee | 15 to 21 October 2026 | Closed |
| Admit cards on school login | About 10 days before the exam (around 10 December 2026) | Expected |
| NMMS exam | Sunday, 20 December 2026 | Announced |
| Result and selection list | First or second week of February 2027 | Expected (per MSCE notification) |
Some websites mention a further extension of the application date. We could not confirm this on the MSCE site, so schools should check the NMMS portal directly.
Eligibility
- Regular Class 8 student in a government, government-aided or local self-government (Zilla Parishad or municipal) school in Maharashtra.
- Passed Class 7 with at least 55% marks (50% for SC and ST students).
- Annual income of both parents together below ₹3,50,000. Parents in service give an income certificate from their employer; others give one from the tehsildar or talathi, for the financial year 2025-26. The head teacher keeps it at the school.
Students of unaided schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Sainik schools, and students who get free government hostel, food and education facilities, can sit for the exam but are not eligible for the scholarship.
Exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 | 90 | 10:30 am to 12:00 noon (90 minutes) | No negative marking |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 | 90 | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (90 minutes) | No negative marking |
Students with disabilities get 30 minutes extra per paper. Answers are marked on an OMR sheet with a blue or black ballpoint pen; pencil, partly filled circles and overwriting get no marks. To qualify, a student must score 40% across both papers together (32% for SC, ST and students with disabilities).
Syllabus
MAT is a reasoning test with 90 multiple-choice questions on cause and effect, analysis and similar concepts. SAT is based on the Class 7 and Class 8 syllabus:
- General Science, 35 marks: Physics 11, Chemistry 11, Biology 13
- Social Science, 35 marks: History 15, Civics 5, Geography 15
- Mathematics, 20 marks
The paper is offered in Marathi, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, English, Telugu and Kannada. Every student also gets an English question paper along with the chosen medium.
Application fee
| Window | Fee per student |
|---|---|
| Regular (8 September to 7 October 2026) | ₹120 |
| Late (8 to 14 October 2026) | ₹240 |
| Extra late (15 to 21 October 2026) | ₹360 (₹480 where the school is responsible for the delay) |
Schools also pay an affiliation fee of ₹200 per academic year.
Selection and the scholarship
About one lakh NMMS scholarships are awarded across India, and Maharashtra's quota is 11,682. Students who clear the qualifying marks are selected on merit, district-wise and category-wise, following the state's reservation rules, including reservation for students with disabilities. The result and selection list are published only on the MSCE website.
Selected students get ₹1,000 a month (₹12,000 a year) from Class 9 to Class 12. To keep receiving it, they must pass Class 9 and Class 11 at the first attempt and score at least 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC and ST students). The money is paid by direct benefit transfer after the student applies on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the 2026-27 NSP round, the government extended the last date for fresh and renewal applications to 31 October 2026 (All India Radio, 1 October 2026).
Tips for Maharashtra students
- Applications are made by the school, not by the student. Make sure the head teacher has entered the correct caste and disability details; corrections are possible from the school login only before admit cards are issued.
- If you were selected in an earlier NMMS round and are now in Class 9 to 12, apply or renew on the NSP before 31 October 2026.
- The previous Maharashtra NMMS exams were also held on a Sunday in December (for example, 22 December 2024).
Frequently asked questions
When is the NMMS exam 2026-27 in Maharashtra?
The MSCE NMMS exam for Class 8 students is on Sunday, 20 December 2026, at district centres across Maharashtra.
How much is the NMMS scholarship?
₹12,000 a year (₹1,000 a month) for Class 9 to Class 12, paid through the National Scholarship Portal.
What is the income limit for NMMS?
The combined annual income of both parents must be below ₹3,50,000, as stated in MSCE's 2026-27 notification.
What are the qualifying marks for NMMS Maharashtra?
40% of the combined marks of both papers, or 32% for SC, ST and students with disabilities. Qualifying does not guarantee a scholarship, because selection is on merit within the district and category quota.
Is there negative marking in NMMS?
No. MSCE does not use negative marking in the NMMS exam.
When will the NMMS 2026-27 result come?
MSCE says the result is usually declared in the first or second week of February, so it is expected in February 2027.
Official sources
- Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), Pune
- MSCE notification and information sheet: NMMS 2026-27 exam on 20 December 2026
- MSCE NMMS 2026-27 online application portal
- National Scholarship Portal
- All India Radio: NMMSS application deadline extended to 31 October
Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.