The government has extended the deadline for submission of applications by selected meritorious students for the National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for 2024-25 to the 30th of this month.

      The Union Education Ministry said that, under the scheme, scholarships are awarded to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to prevent dropouts after Class 8 and encourage them to complete their school education up to Class 12. The National Scholarship Portal has been open for submission of applications by students since June 30 of this year.

       The scheme provides one lakh fresh scholarships every year for Class 9 students who pass the qualifying exam conducted by the State and Union Territory governments. The Ministry said that scholarships are continued through renewal from Class 10 to 12 based on students’ academic performance. The scheme is applicable only to students studying in state government, government-aided, and local body schools, and the scholarship amount is 12,000 rupees per annum per student.