by For students entering Class 8-9 in the 2026–27 academic session, scholarships can provide valuable financial support for school fees, books, uniforms and other educational expenses. However, there is no single scholarship timetable for every Class 9 student in India. The application dates depend on the scholarship scheme, state, category and school type.
For 2026–27, students should mainly keep an eye on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and their respective state scholarship portals. The NSP is open for the 2026–27 academic year from 1 June 2026 for eligible schemes.
One of the most important scholarships for Class 9 students is the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS). The Ministry of Education’s 2026–27 framework continues to target students entering Class 9, with 1 lakh fresh scholarships planned under the scheme.
Scholarship Time Table 2026 for Class 8-9
The following table gives a practical overview of the major timelines students should watch during the 2026–27 academic year.
| Scholarship / Portal | Class 9 Eligibility | 2026–27 Timeline / Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | Depends on individual scheme | NSP opened from 1 June 2026 |
| NMMSS | Selected students entering Class 9 | Applications are being processed through NSP; current reported deadline is 31 August 2026 |
| UP Scholarship | Class 9–12 students meeting state conditions | Registration opened 11 August 2026 |
| State Government Scholarships | Depends on state | Dates vary by state |
| School/Private Scholarships | Depends on individual provider | Different dates throughout the academic year |
Important: Dates can be changed or extended by the concerned department. Students should therefore check the official portal before submitting an application.
State-wise Table For Class 8-9 Scholarship
There is no single official “Class 8-9 scholarship” available in every state, and several state schemes are category-specific. Also, NMMSS is a central scheme available across States/UTs, but fresh selection is normally through the Class 8 stage and the scholarship starts from Class 9.
Below is a state-wise table you can directly add to the post. I have kept dates as tentative/expected where the 2026–27 notification is not yet clearly available, rather than presenting an unconfirmed date as official.
| State/UT | Major scholarship/schemes relevant to Class 9 | 2026–27 tentative application period | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Pre-Matric Scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | State scholarship portal / NSP |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Pre-Matric Scholarship; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | State Education/Social Welfare portal / NSP |
| Assam | Pre-Matric Scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | NSP / Assam government scholarship portal |
| Bihar | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Bihar Education/Social Welfare portal / NSP |
| Chhattisgarh | Pre-Matric Scholarship; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | State scholarship portal / NSP |
| Goa | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Goa government scholarship portal / NSP |
| Gujarat | Pre-Matric Scholarship; Digital Gujarat scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Digital Gujarat / NSP |
| Haryana | Pre-Matric Scholarship; state welfare scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Haryana scholarship portal / NSP |
| Himachal Pradesh | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Himachal Pradesh scholarship portal / NSP |
| Jharkhand | Pre-Matric Scholarship; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | e-Kalyan Jharkhand / NSP |
| Karnataka | Pre-Matric Scholarship; SSP scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Karnataka SSP / NSP |
| Kerala | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Kerala scholarship portal / NSP |
| Madhya Pradesh | Pre-Matric scholarships; state welfare scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | MP Scholarship Portal / NSP |
| Maharashtra | Pre-Matric scholarships; MahaDBT schemes; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | MahaDBT / NSP |
| Manipur | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | State scholarship portal / NSP |
| Meghalaya | Pre-Matric Scholarship; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Meghalaya government portal / NSP |
| Mizoram | Pre-Matric Scholarship; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Mizoram scholarship portal / NSP |
| Nagaland | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Nagaland scholarship portal / NSP |
| Odisha | Pre-Matric Scholarship; state welfare scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Odisha State Scholarship Portal / NSP |
| Punjab | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Punjab scholarship portal / NSP |
| Rajasthan | Pre-Matric scholarships; state scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Rajasthan Scholarship Portal / NSP |
| Sikkim | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Sikkim scholarship portal / NSP |
| Tamil Nadu | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Tamil Nadu scholarship portal / NSP |
| Telangana | Pre-Matric Scholarship; ePASS; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Telangana ePASS / NSP |
| Tripura | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Oct 2026* | Tripura scholarship portal / NSP |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP Pre-Matric Scholarship (Class 9–10); NMMSS | 11 Aug 2026 onward | UP Scholarship Portal / NSP |
| Uttarakhand | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Uttarakhand scholarship portal / NSP |
| West Bengal | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | West Bengal scholarship portal / NSP |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | UT administration / NSP |
| Chandigarh | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Chandigarh Administration / NSP |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | UT portal / NSP |
| Delhi | Delhi government school scholarships; pre-matric schemes; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Delhi e-District/department portal / NSP |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | J&K scholarship portal / NSP |
| Ladakh | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | UT Ladakh / NSP |
| Lakshadweep | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | UT Administration / NSP |
| Puducherry | Pre-Matric scholarships; NMMSS | Aug–Nov 2026* | Puducherry government portal / NSP |
* Tentative: These are planning windows, not confirmed deadlines. Students should check the concerned department before applying.
Important 2026–27 dates already available
NMMSS: The 2026–27 NMMSS application is currently underway and the reported closing date is 31 August 2026. Applications are submitted through NSP.
Uttar Pradesh: The UP Scholarship 2026–27 registration for Classes 9–12 started on 11 August 2026. The application is made through the official UP Scholarship portal.
Bihar: Be careful here: Bihar’s currently published Post-Matric Scholarship window is 15 July–15 September 2026, but this is a post-matric scheme and therefore should not be listed as a general Class 9 scholarship.
Note: Scholarship availability, eligibility and application dates differ by state, category, school type and scheme. The dates marked “tentative” are indicative planning periods and should not be treated as official deadlines. For central scholarships, students should check the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For state scholarships, applicants should use the concerned state government’s official scholarship portal.
1. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026–27
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is particularly important for students entering Class 9.
The scheme is designed to help academically capable students from economically weaker families continue their education after Class 8. The scholarship continues from Class 9 to Class 12, subject to the applicable renewal conditions. The Ministry’s 2026–27 monitoring framework provides for 1,00,000 Class 9 beneficiaries.
NMMSS application timetable
For 2026–27, applications are being handled through the National Scholarship Portal. Recent reporting indicates that the application deadline for the current cycle is 31 August 2026.
The broader Ministry framework states that NMMSS applications on NSP operate during the July-to-December period, while completed and verified applications are subsequently considered for sanction and payment.
This means students should not wait for the final date. Application, school verification and other checks can take time.
Who can receive NMMSS?
Generally, the scheme is meant for students who:
- Have been selected through the prescribed state/UT NMMSS selection process.
- Are entering Class 9 after completing Class 8.
- Study in eligible government, government-aided or local-body schools.
- Meet the prescribed family-income condition.
- Meet the required academic conditions.
- Complete registration and verification on NSP.
The Ministry’s scheme information specifies an annual parental income ceiling of ₹3.5 lakh, along with academic and school-type requirements. Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and certain residential schools are excluded under the scheme.
How much is the NMMSS scholarship?
The scholarship amount is ₹12,000 per year for eligible beneficiaries, subject to the scheme’s continuation requirements.
The amount is generally transferred through the government’s DBT mechanism after the application passes the required verification and sanction process.
2. A very important point: NMMSS exam is normally held before Class 9
Many parents misunderstand the NMMSS timetable.
The scholarship is for students studying from Class 9 onward, but fresh selection takes place at the Class 8 stage. Each State/UT conducts its own selection test. The Ministry states that the examination includes the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Therefore:
Class 8 → NMMSS selection examination → selection → Class 9 scholarship registration on NSP
Students already selected under NMMSS generally register for the scholarship when they enter Class 9.
The Ministry has also clarified that fresh NMMSS scholarship applications are made at Class 9, while students in Classes 10, 11 and 12 normally submit renewal applications.
3. UP Scholarship 2026–27 for Class 9
Students studying in Uttar Pradesh should also check the UP Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement programme.
For the 2026–27 academic year, registration for students in Classes 9 to 12 began on 11 August 2026 through the state scholarship portal.
This is separate from NMMSS.
Therefore, a Class 9 student in Uttar Pradesh should check both:
- Whether they qualify for NMMSS.
- Whether they qualify for the applicable UP state scholarship.
Students should not assume that being eligible for one automatically makes them eligible for the other.
Scholarship timetable for Class 8-9 students in Uttar Pradesh
| Activity | 2026–27 status |
|---|---|
| UP Scholarship registration | Started 11 August 2026 |
| Online application | Through the UP Scholarship portal |
| Application verification | School/institution and concerned authorities |
| Scholarship approval | After required verification |
| Payment | After sanction and payment processing |
Because state-level schedules can be revised, students should verify the latest deadline on the official UP scholarship portal before submitting the form.
4. National Scholarship Portal: What Class 8-9 students should know
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is an important platform for government scholarship applications.
The portal is open for the 2026–27 academic year from 1 June 2026.
However, simply opening an NSP account does not mean that every scholarship is available to every Class 9 student.
Each scheme has its own:
- Eligibility rules
- Income limits
- Category requirements
- Academic conditions
- School requirements
- Application deadline
- Verification process
- Payment rules
Students should therefore search the portal for scholarships for which they actually qualify.
5. One Time Registration (OTR) on NSP
Students applying through NSP may need to complete One Time Registration (OTR) before applying for a scholarship.
The Ministry introduced OTR to make scholarship applications easier and to reduce duplication. For NMMSS, students selected after the Class 8 examination are required to complete the NSP registration process before submitting the scholarship application.
Parents should ensure that the student’s details are entered exactly as they appear in official documents.
Small differences in:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Aadhaar details
- Bank account information
- School details
can create verification or payment problems.
6. Documents usually required for Class 8-9 scholarship applications
The exact document list depends on the scholarship. However, students may be asked for some or all of the following:
- Aadhaar card
- Student photograph
- Previous class marksheet
- Class 8 result, where applicable
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Domicile/residence certificate, where required
- Bank account details
- Aadhaar-linked/seeded bank details where required
- School admission or enrolment information
- School ID or bonafide certificate
- Mobile number
- Parent/guardian details
Do not upload a document simply because another scholarship asks for it. Always follow the document requirements displayed for the particular scheme.
7. Bank account is extremely important
Scholarship applications may be approved but payment can still be delayed if the bank details are incorrect.
Before submitting the form, students should check:
Name → Bank account number → IFSC → Aadhaar linkage/seeding, where applicable
For NMMSS, the Ministry has stated that the scholarship is transferred through DBT, and the relevant bank account needs to satisfy the prescribed Aadhaar-seeding/payment requirements.
If the student is using a parent’s bank account under the applicable rules, the details should be entered exactly as required by the portal.
8. What happens after submitting the scholarship form?
Submitting the application is only the beginning.
A typical process looks like this:
Registration → Application → Final submission → School verification → District/department verification → Approval/sanction → DBT payment
For NMMSS, the Ministry has described two levels of verification: school-level verification followed by district-level verification.
This is why students should not assume that a submitted application means the scholarship has already been approved.
9. Why scholarship applications get rejected
Some common reasons include:
Incorrect personal information
The student’s name, date of birth or other details may not match official records.
Wrong bank information
An incorrect account number or IFSC can cause payment failure.
Incomplete documents
Missing certificates can stop an application from moving forward.
Income certificate problem
The certificate may be expired, incorrect or not meet the scheme’s requirements.
School verification not completed
The application may remain pending if the institution does not complete verification.
Eligibility mismatch
A student may apply for a scheme despite not meeting its school, income, academic or category requirements.
Duplicate application
Submitting multiple applications where the scheme does not permit them can create problems.
10. How Class 8-9 students can avoid missing the scholarship deadline
A simple routine can prevent most last-minute problems.
Step 1: Identify the scholarship
Do not search only for “Class 9 scholarship.” Check central, state and eligible private scholarships separately.
Step 2: Check eligibility
Read the income, school, category and academic conditions before beginning the application.
Step 3: Keep documents ready
Scan or photograph documents clearly before opening the application form.
Step 4: Complete OTR if required
For NSP-based schemes, complete the required registration process before applying.
Step 5: Fill in the form carefully
Do not rush through the application.
Step 6: Preview everything
Check names, dates, bank details and certificates before final submission.
Step 7: Submit before the deadline
Do not wait until the final evening.
Step 8: Confirm school verification
Ask the school whether the application has been verified.
Step 9: Track the application
Keep checking the portal for status updates, objections or correction requests.
Step 10: Check the bank account
Once payment is sanctioned, monitor the relevant bank account.
11. Can a Class 8-9 student apply for more than one scholarship?
There is no universal yes-or-no answer.
Scholarship rules differ from one scheme to another. The NSP currently states that students may apply for one merit-based scholarship scheme and one or more welfare-based schemes, subject to the applicable rules.
Students should therefore read the individual scheme conditions carefully before accepting multiple benefits.
Do not hide an existing scholarship while applying for another scheme if the form specifically asks about it.
12. NMMSS vs State Scholarship
The two are often confused.
| Feature | NMMSS | State Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Central scheme | State-specific |
| Main target | Meritorious students from economically weaker families | Depends on state/category |
| Fresh stage | Selection at Class 8; scholarship begins in Class 9 | Often applicable to Class 9 onward |
| Application platform | NSP | State scholarship portal or designated platform |
| Amount | ₹12,000 annually under NMMSS | Depends on state and category |
| Eligibility | Specific central rules | State-specific rules |
A student should check both programmes rather than assuming they are the same scholarship.
13. Important NMMSS academic conditions
NMMSS is not simply an income-based scholarship.
The selection process involves academic performance and a prescribed examination. The Ministry states that candidates must qualify in both MAT and SAT, with the prescribed aggregate qualifying marks.
For continuation, students also have to satisfy the academic and promotion requirements specified under the scheme.
For example, continuation into the next stage is linked to successful promotion, while the scheme specifies a 60% Class 10 marks requirement, relaxed by 5 percentage points for SC/ST students, for continuation at the higher-secondary stage.
14. How scholarship money is paid
Government scholarships generally move through an electronic payment process.
For NMMSS, the Ministry has stated that funds are transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the prescribed payment system.
This makes correct bank and Aadhaar-related information especially important.
A student should not pay anyone merely because someone promises to “release” scholarship money faster.
15. Beware of fake scholarship websites
Scholarship season also attracts fraudulent websites and messages.
Students should be careful if a website:
- Asks for an unnecessary registration fee.
- Promises guaranteed scholarship approval.
- Requests an OTP from the student’s phone.
- Requests ATM PIN or banking passwords.
- Claims that payment can be released privately.
- Uses a web address that looks similar to an official portal.
For central scholarships, start with the official National Scholarship Portal and the relevant government department.
For state scholarships, use the official state government portal.
16. Scholarship timetable month-wise: 2026–27
For a Class 9 student, the following calendar can be used as a practical reminder.
June 2026
- NSP opened for the 2026–27 academic year.
- Students can start identifying eligible schemes.
- Prepare certificates and bank details.
July 2026
- Check NMMSS and other NSP-based scholarship requirements.
- Complete required registration processes.
- Keep checking for scheme-specific deadlines.
The Ministry’s 2026–27 framework indicates that NMMSS operates on NSP during the broader July-to-December application cycle.
August 2026
This is an important month for many Class 9 applicants.
- NMMSS 2026–27 applications are currently reported with an August 31, 2026 deadline.
- UP Scholarship registration for Classes 9–12 began on August 11, 2026.
- Students should complete applications and begin checking verification status.
September–October 2026
- Continue monitoring application verification.
- Respond to corrections or objections, if the portal allows them.
- Check whether school/institution verification is complete.
- Keep copies of submitted forms.
November–December 2026
- Many NSP-related processes may continue during this period.
- Verification and sanction activities may take place according to the individual scheme schedule.
- Students should continue checking their application status.
After verification
The final payment date is not identical for every scholarship. Payment depends on verification, sanction, fund release and the concerned department’s processing.
17. What should parents do if the application shows “pending”?
“Pending” does not necessarily mean rejection.
First identify where the application is pending:
- Student level
- School level
- District level
- Department level
- Payment/sanction stage
If it is pending with the school, contact the scholarship nodal teacher or school office.
If it is pending at the district or department level, follow the grievance/contact procedure shown on the relevant portal.
Do not submit another application simply because the first one is pending unless the official instructions specifically require it.
18. What if the scholarship application is rejected?
Read the reason carefully.
If the portal provides a correction or grievance facility, use it within the prescribed period.
Common issues such as incorrect information, missing documents or verification discrepancies may sometimes be corrected, but the possibility depends entirely on the scheme rules.
Keep:
- Application number
- Registration/OTR number
- Screenshot of status
- Submitted application copy
- Relevant certificates
These can be useful when contacting the school or department.
19. Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Class 8-9 scholarship form start in 2026?
There is no single starting date for all Class 9 scholarships. The NSP opened for the 2026–27 academic year from 1 June 2026, while individual schemes have their own schedules.
What is the last date for NMMSS 2026–27?
The current reported deadline for NMMSS 2026–27 applications is 31 August 2026. Students should confirm the date on NSP before submitting because government deadlines can be extended or revised.
Is NMMSS only for Class 9 students?
Fresh scholarship benefits begin at Class 9, but selection is normally conducted while students are in Class 8. The scholarship can continue through Class 12 if the student meets the renewal requirements.
How much money is given under NMMSS?
The NMMSS scholarship amount is ₹12,000 per year for eligible students.
Can a Class 9 student apply for a state scholarship?
Yes, where the student meets the relevant state scheme’s conditions. For example, Uttar Pradesh opened its 2026–27 scholarship registration for Classes 9 to 12 on August 11, 2026.
Is NSP the only scholarship portal?
No. NSP hosts many central government schemes and some other participating schemes, but states also operate their own scholarship systems.
Can private school students apply for NMMSS?
NMMSS has specific school-type restrictions. The scheme is intended for eligible government, government-aided and local-body schools, and certain schools such as KVS and NVS are excluded.
Is Aadhaar compulsory?
Aadhaar-related authentication and payment requirements depend on the particular scholarship. For NMMSS, the Ministry has described Aadhaar-based registration/authentication and Aadhaar-linked payment arrangements.
When will Class 9 scholarship money come?
There is no universal payment date. Scholarship payment follows verification, sanction and fund-release procedures. The Ministry notes that completed and finally verified NMMSS applications are considered for sanction and disbursement.
Conclusion
The Scholarship Time Table 2026 for Class 8-9 in India is not one fixed national calendar. Different scholarships follow different schedules. For the 2026–27 academic year, the NSP is already open, NMMSS is a key central opportunity for eligible Class 9 students, and state programmes such as the UP Scholarship have their own registration windows.
The most important lesson for students and parents is simple: do not wait for the last date. First identify the correct scholarship, check eligibility, prepare documents, complete the application and then follow the verification and payment status.
For the latest dates, always cross-check the official National Scholarship Portal and the relevant state scholarship portal because schedules can change during the academic year.
