Lok Sabha Question No. 3460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-08
Subject: National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3460 ANSWERED ON - 08/08/2022

## National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme

## †3460.  DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  National  Means-cum-Merit  Scholarship  Scheme  (NMMSS)  is  being implemented  by  the  Government  and  if  so, the criteria for the selection of the beneficiaries;
- (b) whether the said scheme has been implemented in Madhya Pradesh and if so, the number of the beneficiaries benefitted under the said scheme during the last five years districtwise and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  beneficiaries  under  the  said  scheme  in  Balaghat  and  Seoni  districts, M.P.?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) : Yes, the Central Sector Scheme 'National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme(NMMSS) is being implemented by the Government since 2008 with the objective to award scholarships  to  meritorious  students  of  economically  weaker  sections  to  arrest  their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue the study at secondary stage. One lakh fresh scholarships @ of Rs.12000/- per annum per student are awarded to selected students of class IX every year and their continuation/renewal  in classes X to XII for study in a State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools under the scheme. The selection of students  for  award  of  scholarships  under  the  scheme  is  made  through  an  examination conducted by the State Governments. Students studying in class VIII, who had secured more than 55% in class VII annual exam, can appear for the NMMSS selection exam. The exam comprises of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Mental Ability Test (MAT). Students who get  minimum 40% in the NMMSS selection exam and 55% in class VIII annual exam are eligible for the scholarship. There is relaxation of criteria for students belonging to SC, ST. Details of the scheme are available at Ministry of Education website https://dsel.education.gov.in/nmmss. The scheme is boarded on National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for receipt of applications of students in on-line mode.

(b) & (c): Yes,  the  said  scheme  is  being  implemented  across  the  country  including Madhya Pradesh State.  All  States  and  UTs  are  allocated  a  quota  based  on  population  and enrolment. Out of one lakh fresh scholarships every year, the quota for Madhya Pradesh is 6446.  Under  the  scheme  scholarships  are  sanctioned  on  the  basis  of  the  total  number  of students who have passed the NMMSS selection examination. States and Union Territories send the data of all beneficiaries under NMMSS. District-wise data is not maintained in the Department. The number of beneficiaries under the scheme in Madhya Pradesh State during the last 5 years is as follows:

| S. No.   | Financial Year   |   No. of Scholarships (Fresh + Renewals) |
|----------|------------------|------------------------------------------|
| 1        | 2017-18          |                                    31663 |
| 2        | 2018-19          |                                     9814 |
| 3        | 2019-20          |                                    46681 |
| 4        | 2020-21          |                                    14511 |
| 5        | 2021-22          |                                    15521 |
| Total    | Total            |                                   118190 |

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