National Means–cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) Scheme has been implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India with an objectives to explore the poor talented students and provide the financial assistance for continuation of their education.

• The Examination : National Means Cum Merit Scholarship examination is conducted in one stage only for selection of stipulated number of candidates as per district quota
• Examination Fees :The Candidates are not required to pay any examination fees.
• Eligibility : Students studying in Class VIII in Government, Government aided or Local Body Schools are eligible to appear NMMS examinations.
  • They must have passed Class VII Annual Examination securing at least 55% marks ( Relaxable by 5% for reserved category).
  • His/ Her parental income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 3, 50, 000/- (Rupees Three Lakh fifty thousand) only per annum. Students in Government residential Schools like JawaharNovodayaVidyalaya and residential school under SC/ST Development Department , KendriyaVidyalaya, Sainik Schools , KGBV etc where expenses are paid by the Government, are not eligible under this scheme.
• State quota of Odisha :The total number of 3314 scholarships are distributed among 30 (thirty) districts. There is district wise reservation of scholarships for SC, ST, SEBC and Physically handicapped candidates.
• Syllabus :There is no prescribed syllabus for NMMS Examination . However , question will be asked basing on Class VII & VIII syllabi.
• Examination Subject : The NMMS examination consists of two papers.
  • Mental Ability Test (MAT) : Mental Ability Test (MAT) : Consists of 90 multiple choice items on reasoning and critical thinking to be answered in 90 mintues. The questions will be on analogy , classification , numerical series, pattern , perceptron ,hidden figures, etc.Full mark is 90 and students have to answer all the questions.
  • Scholastics Apititude Test (SAT) : Scholastics Apititude Test (SAT) : Consists of 90 multiple choice items on subjects such as: physics , Chemistry , Biology, History, Political Science, Geography and Economics. Full mark is 90 and students have to answer all the questions.
• Medium of Examination :ODIA Language
• Scholarship :Selected candidates will receive scholarship @ Rs. 1000 (Rupees one thousand) only per month for four years i.e. from Class-IX to XII subject to satisfactory academics performance of the candidates and their continuance in Government and Government aided institutions of eligible category.