PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 8 -- A record 1,74,662 students have applied for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) examination in Uttar Pradesh this year, the highest in three years, reflecting growing interest among students from smaller districts in securing financial support for higher studies.

The number of applications has risen from 1,57,013 in 2024 and 1,57,381 in 2025, an increase of more than 17,000 this year, according to officials of the secondary education department.

Aligarh topped the state with 9,402 applications, followed by Kaushambi with 6,959 and Prayagraj with 6,483. Other districts with high participation include Jaunpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ayodhya, Bulandshahr, Agra, Shahjahanpur and Bareilly.

The applications,...