MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The Central Sector Scheme ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme’
(NMMSS) is being implemented 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. The rate of scholarship has been
enhanced from Rs. 6000/- to Rs. 12000/- per annum with effect from 1st April, 2017. Under the
Scheme 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.
There is a separate quota of scholarships for each States/UTs. The selection of students for award
of scholarships under the scheme is made through an examination conducted by the States/UTs
Governments. The year wise and state wise total number of the beneficiaries of the scheme
during the last five years is at Annexure-I.
(d) & (e) The details regarding number of students who discontinued education after availing
the scholarship is not maintained centrally, however an evaluation study of the NMMS scheme
conducted by National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in 2017
states that the scheme has a positive impact. The data reveals that about 70.1 % beneficiary
students are unable to continue their studies without this scholarship and students are very
conscientious about their studies as well as the need to perform well after qualifying in NMMS
Scheme. They register better performance in Class IX, X, XI and XII in order to continue getting
the scholarship for four consecutive years. Heads of all the institutions disclosed that the NMMS
Scheme has reduced the drop-out rate at the secondary and senior secondary classes, particularly
from Classes VIII to XII.
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