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The continuation of the National Means-cum- Merit Scholarship scheme has been approved by the government over the 15th Finance Commission cycle for a period of five years.

About the Scheme:

• The objective of the scheme is to offer scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to reduce the dropout rate from school encouraging them to continue their studies at the secondary level. 
• To take the scheme further, one lakh fresh scholarships will be provided to the students of class IX every year and their continuation in classes X to XII. 
• It covers the government aided and local body schools apart from the schools under the state government. 
• The students are selected through an examination conducted by the state and union territories. The scheme is available on the National Scholarship Portal.
• The scholarships are transferred to the bank accounts of the selected students through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
• As this is a central sector scheme, 100% funds are provided by the central government.