PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 11 -- Students studying in government schools in smaller districts of Uttar Pradesh are aspiring to achieve academic milestones. This growing ambition is reflected in the latest figures for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) examination for 2026-27 where students from these districts have submitted the highest number of applications, say officials from the state secondary education department.

A total of 10,469 online applications have been received for the examination scheduled for November 9, with robust participation coming from districts such as Aligarh, Kaushambi, Bulandshahr and Jaunpur-placing them among the top five in terms of applications, alongside Prayagraj.

Looking at the year-wise trend...