The Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE), Assam has officially released the notification for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Examination 2025.
This centrally sponsored scholarship program, launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, aims to support meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds and reduce dropout rates after class VIII.
Eligible students currently studying in Class VIII in Government and Provincialized schools of Assam can now apply online for the NMMS Examination 2025 through the official portal https://bidyarthi.co.in or via the Bidyarthi mobile app.
The NMMS Assam 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on 13 December 2025 across 143 examination centres in Assam.
Let’s explore the complete details including eligibility criteria, scholarship benefits, important dates, exam pattern, and online application process.
NMMS Exam 2025 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Examination 2025 |
| Conducting Authority | Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE), Assam |
| Sponsoring Authority | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Total Scholarships for Assam | 2,411 |
| Eligibility | Class VIII students of Govt/Provincialized schools |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Examination Mode | OMR-based Written Test |
| Application Fee | ₹200/- (General/OBC), ₹180/- (SC/ST), ₹175/- (PwD) |
| Application Start Date | 25 July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 1 December 2025 |
| Exam Date | 13 December 2025 |
| Official Website | https://bidyarthi.co.in |
About NMMS Scholarship Scheme 2025
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) introduced by the Ministry of Education, Government of India to encourage talented students from economically disadvantaged families to continue their education at the secondary and higher secondary stages.
Under this scheme, selected students are awarded an annual scholarship of ₹12,000/- per year (₹1,000 per month) from Class IX to Class XII, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance.
For Assam, a total of 2,411 scholarships will be awarded based on the merit list prepared after the NMMS 2025 examination.
Exam Details – Assam NMMS 2025
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | Written Test (OMR Based) |
| Exam Date | 13 December 2025 |
| Medium of Exam | Assamese, English, Hindi, Bengali & Bodo |
| Total Centres | 143 across Assam |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Marks | 180 (90 + 90) |
| Total Duration | 3 hours (with a lunch break between papers) |
Paper-wise Pattern
| Subject | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
The MAT paper tests reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills, while the SAT paper assesses knowledge in subjects like Science, Mathematics, and Social Science as per the Class VII–VIII syllabus.
Eligibility Criteria for Assam NMMS Exam 2025
Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions to apply for the NMMS Assam 2025 scholarship exam:
Educational Qualification
- The applicant must be studying in Class VIII during the academic session 2025–26.
Eligible Schools
- Students must be enrolled in a Government or Provincialized school under the Department of School Education, Government of Assam.
- Students from Private Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) can appear for the examination but will not be eligible for the scholarship award.
Parental Income Limit
- The annual income of the parents/guardians should not exceed ₹3.5 lakh from all sources.
- Proof of income (Income Certificate) will be mandatory during verification.
Performance Criteria
- Students must secure a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD) in Class VII to be eligible for NMMS 2025.
Scholarship Amount & Duration
Selected candidates will receive a National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) from Class IX to Class XII, subject to satisfactory academic performance and continuation in recognized government or provincialized schools.
The scholarship will be disbursed annually through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode into the student’s bank account.
NMMS Assam 2025 – Examination Fee
Candidates must pay the examination fee while submitting the online form. The fee amount varies by category:
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST | ₹180/- |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | ₹175/- |
Payment Mode
- Payment can be made online only via:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI / Wallets
Offline or cash payments will not be accepted.
How to Apply for NMMS Exam 2025 – Step-by-Step Guide
Students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply online through the official Bidyarthi portal or mobile app.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below:
- Visit the Official Portal:
Go to https://bidyarthi.co.in or open the Bidyarthi App on your phone. - Read Instructions:
Carefully read the complete guidelines for the NMMS Assam 2025 examination before starting the application. - Registration:
Create an account using your mobile number and email ID. - Fill the Application Form:
Enter accurate details such as student name, school name, class, date of birth, and parental income. - Upload Documents:
Upload the required scanned documents in prescribed format and size (see below). - Pay the Application Fee:
Complete payment via online gateway. - Submit the Application:
Review all information carefully and click Submit. - Download Acknowledgement Copy:
After successful submission, download and print the acknowledgement slip for future reference.
Documents Required for NMMS Online Application
Before applying, ensure all documents are scanned and ready for upload in JPG/JPEG format:
| Document | File Size Limit | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Passport-size Photograph | Up to 35 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Signature | Up to 30 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Caste Certificate (if applicable) | Up to 100 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Disability Certificate (if applicable) | Up to 100 KB | JPG / JPEG |
| Income Certificate | Up to 100 KB | JPG / JPEG |
💡 You can use online tools like JobAssam Document Resizer to adjust file sizes.
Important Dates for NMMS Assam Exam 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 22 July 2025 |
| Start of Online Application | 25 July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 20 November 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 1 December 2025 |
| Date of Examination | 13 December 2025 |
| Result Declaration | To be Announced |
Official Weblinks
| Application Form | Click Here |
| Documents Resize | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |