Noida: Out of 1,160 students who applied this year, 94 from the district passed in the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) exam, a sharp rise from 2022, when only one student qualified. Of the 96 seats allotted to the district, 94 were filled, while two reserved for scheduled tribe students remained vacant due to the absence of eligible candidates.Officials said the number of students has seen a gradual increase in the past years. In 2024, only 525 students had registered in the district for the exam, though nearly 10,000 were eligible. Authorities said efforts are being made to raise awareness so that more students apply and benefit from the scheme.NMMS is a central govt scholarship aimed at helping students from economically weaker sections stay in school after Class VIII instead of dropping out. Under the scholarship scheme, selected students will receive Rs 12,000 per year from classes IX to XII, amounting to Rs 48,000 in four years. To avail the benefit, students must continue their education in a govt or state-funded school.A senior official from District Institute of Education and Training and exam-in-charge of the district, Rajesh Khanna, said, “With 10 selections, Composite School, Morna, has emerged as the top performer. A student from the school, Vishal, has secured the first rank in the district with 148 marks. Nine students from Bahlolpur and eight from Composite School, Gizaur, have also made it to the merit list. Last year, 10 students from Gizaur Composite School and 11 from Bahlolpur Composite School were selected.”
