Chennai: The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), Chennai, on Friday announced that the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) examination for Class VIII students in Tamil Nadu will be held on January 10, 2026.

According to an official press release, students studying in Class VIII during the 2025-26 academic year in government and government-aided schools recognised by the Tamil Nadu government are eligible to apply for the examination. The NMMS aims to identify meritorious students from economically weaker sections and support them to continue their education.

The examination will be conducted at centres established at the block level across the state. Successful candidates will be awarded scholarships under the centrally sponsored National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme.

The DGE said that completed application forms, along with an online examination fee of Rs 50, must be submitted to the respective school headmasters. While the original deadline for submission was December 20, 2025, the department has extended the last date for uploading applications online till 5 pm on December 23, 2025.

The extension has been granted in the interest of student welfare and to ensure that more eligible students are able to benefit from the scheme, the release said.

Students, parents and schools have been advised to complete the application process well before the revised deadline.

Further details regarding eligibility, application procedures and examination guidelines are available on the official website of the Directorate of Government Examinations at www.dge.tn.gov.in