Prayagraj: Applications for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) examination in Uttar Pradesh have touched a three-year high, with 1,74,662 students registering this year, over 17,000 more than in 2025.The rise highlights growing interest among students in securing financial assistance to continue their education beyond Class 8.According to secondary education department officials, the state received 1,57,013 applications in 2024 and 1,57,381 in 2025. The number increased to 1,74,662 this year.Aligarh recorded the highest number of applications at 9,402, followed by Kaushambi with 6,959 and Prayagraj with 6,483. Jaunpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ayodhya, Bulandshahr, Agra, Shahjahanpur and Bareilly were among the other districts reporting high participation.Shamli recorded the lowest number of applications at 620. Shravasti, Baghpat, Balrampur, Gautam Budh Nagar, Mahoba, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras and Sonbhadra were also among the 10 districts with the fewest applicants.Tanuja Tripathi, director of Bureau of Psychology, UP, which is coordinating the examination for Examination Regulatory Authority, said district-wise participation showed considerable variation. Varanasi, Sitapur and Lucknow ranked 11th, 12th and 13th among districts with lower application numbers, recording 3,412, 3,353 and 3,197 applications, respectively.Launched by the Centre in 2008, the NMMS scheme aims to reduce school dropouts after Class 8 by providing financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections. Selected students receive Rs 1,000 per month from Classes 9 to 12, subject to fulfilment of the scheme’s conditions.UP has a quota of 15,143 scholarships, although 218 scholarships remained unfilled in the previous cycle. The examination is scheduled for Nov. Applications were accepted from Aug 18 to Sept 16, with corrections permitted until Oct 3.Students who passed Class 7 in the 2025-26 academic session with at least 55% marks are eligible, with a five-percentage-point relaxation for SC/ST candidates. Applicants must be studying in Class 8 at govt, govt-aided or local-body schools.
