Class 8 Eligibility 2026-27: Promotion, NMMS and More

Class 8 eligibility covers two different questions. The first is about the school exam: what you need to pass Class 8 and move to Class 9, which changed for many schools after the 2024 amendment to the Right to Education rules. The second is about outside tests: who can sit the NMMS scholarship test and other Class 8 competitions such as the Mathematics Olympiad and the Navodaya Class 9 entry test.

This page answers both. It explains the promotion and re-exam rules, the full NMMS eligibility list with income and marks limits, the documents you will need, and the rules for the other tests open to Class 8 students in the 2026-27 session. Where a rule is set by your state or school, the page says so, so you know whom to ask.

Class 8 Eligibility

Promotion From Class 8 to Class 9

What the 2024 RTE amendment changed

Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, children used to move up automatically until Class 8. The Act was amended in 2019 to allow a regular exam in Classes 5 and 8, and in December 2024 the Ministry of Education notified the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which set out how this works.

• Regular exam: There is a regular examination at the end of Class 5 and Class 8 every year.

• Extra teaching: A child who does not meet the promotion criteria gets additional instruction.

• Re-exam within two months: The child gets a chance to take a re-examination within two months of the result.

• Holding back: If the child still does not meet the criteria, the child may be held back in Class 8.

• Support while held back: The class teacher guides the child and parents and works on the learning gaps found in the exam.

• No expulsion: No child can be expelled from school before completing elementary education.

Which schools follow it

The central rules apply to schools run by the central government, which reports put at over 3,000 schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Sainik Schools. Education is a shared subject, so each state decides for its own schools. Some states already hold back students in Classes 5 and 8; others still promote all children. Private CBSE schools generally follow the rule applied by their state government. Ask your school which system it uses this year.

Note that the rules talk only about Classes 5 and 8. A school cannot use them to hold back a student in Class 6 or 7.

Pass marks

There is no national pass mark for Class 8. Many schools use 33% in each subject, sometimes with a minimum in the written exam alone. Some states use grades instead of marks. Your school's assessment policy will state the exact rule.

NMMS Eligibility in Detail

The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship is for Class 8 students from families with modest incomes who show merit. It is run by the Ministry of Education, and the selection test is held by each state. The rules below come from the scheme guidelines; your state notification may add details such as domicile.

Educational conditions

• Current class: You must be studying in Class 8 as a regular student when you apply and sit the test.

• Class 7 marks: At least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in the Class 7 exam. SC and ST students get a 5% relaxation, so they need 50%.

• Promotion to Class 9: The scholarship starts in Class 9, so you must clear Class 8. Some state notices also ask for a minimum mark in Class 8; check yours.

Income condition

• Limit: Parental income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 3,50,000 a year.

• Proof: An income certificate from the competent authority named in your state notification, such as a tehsildar or block officer.

Older pages may show an income limit of Rs. 1,50,000, which was the limit in earlier guidelines. The current scheme figure is Rs. 3,50,000.

School conditions

Reservation

Scholarships within each state are reserved by category as per that state's norms. The state also fixes how its quota is shared, and many states distribute it across districts. Your notification lists the category-wise rules.

Keeping the scholarship after selection

Selection gives Rs. 12,000 a year, but only while you keep meeting the renewal conditions:

• Clear promotion: Pass Class 9 to move to Class 10, and Class 11 to move to Class 12, in the first attempt.

• Class 10 marks: The current central rule asks for at least 60% in Class 10 to continue into Class 11, relaxed by 5% for SC and ST students.

• Older rule still seen: Some state pages still ask for 55% in Classes 9 and 11 as well. Follow your state's current notice.

• Renew on time: Renewal is done every year on the National Scholarship Portal. A gap of one academic session ends the scholarship.

• Stay in an eligible school: Moving to a private unaided or residential school can end the award.

Because the central approval for the scheme ran from 2021-22 to 2025-26, confirm the current terms with your state and the National Scholarship Portal. Several states issued NMMS notices for the 2026-27 test in mid-2026, which indicates the scheme continues.

Documents You Will Need for NMMS

Most states route the form through your school, and the head of school verifies it. Start collecting these in June or July so you do not miss the deadline.

Eligibility for Other Class 8 Tests

Mathematics Olympiad (IOQM)

The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics is the first stage of the Mathematics Olympiad programme. The 2026-27 brochure from HBCSE allowed students of Classes 8 to 12 born between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2014, who are eligible to hold an Indian passport. The 2026 exam has already been held; check the next brochure for the 2027 window, as the birth-date range moves each year.

Navodaya Class 9 lateral entry

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas admit some students to Class 9 through a selection test. You must be studying in Class 8 in a recognised school in the same district as the JNV, and you must meet the age rule in the prospectus. Registration for 2027-28 opened in 2026.

School Olympiads

Private Olympiads are usually open to any Class 8 student whose school registers them. Some allow individual registration. Read the conducting body's rules before paying any fee.

Who Is Not Eligible for NMMS

• Students below the marks line: Less than 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC and ST).

• Families above the income limit: Income from all sources above Rs. 3,50,000 a year.

• Students of excluded schools: KV, JNV, residential and private unaided schools.

• Students not in Class 8: The test is for the current Class 8 batch only.

• Holders of another scholarship: The scheme allows only one scholarship at a time; if you get another, you may have to choose.

A Quick Self-Check for Parents

1. School type: Is your child in a government, aided or local body school? If not, NMMS is closed, but Olympiads and the JNV test may still be open.

2. Class 7 result: Is the Class 7 score at least 55% (50% for SC and ST)? Check the exact figure on the marksheet, not a rounded grade.

3. Income: Is the total family income from all sources within Rs. 3,50,000 a year, and can you get a certificate for it in time?

4. Dates: Has your state's notice come out? Ask the school in July and watch the state SCERT website.

5. Promotion risk: Is your child weak in any subject? If the school holds a promotion exam, plan revision early so the re-exam is not needed.

If the answers to the first three are yes, your child can sit NMMS. A few weeks of short daily tests on Testkart can help build the speed the MAT needs.