Over a period of time, this scheme has proved to be crucial in ensuring aid to meritorious students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. Through the medium of this
Article, we are making a sincere attempt to provide a detailed and comprehensive guide about the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), including its benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and more.
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Objective
The PMSS launched by the Government of India, intends to assist wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR) and State Police Personnel. The scheme derives support from the National Defence Fund administered by the Prime Minister’s Office. PMSS helps such students to continue their educational journey after completing their 12th, with a focus on professional courses.
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: General Overview
| Name of Scheme | Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) |
| Provider | MInistery of Defence, GoI |
| Official Website | Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare |
| Awards |
|
| Application Timeline | December 2025 to January 2026 (*Tentative) |
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PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Benefits
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) acts as a crucial support for empowering students across India, particularly those from economically weaker sections and the wards of ex-servicemen and martyred police personnel. This scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden from such students and make their journey of higher education smoother, by providing an equal number of scholarship opportunities to both boys and girls.
- ₹36,000 annually for girl students i.e. ₹3000 per month
- ₹30,000 annually for boy students i.e. ₹2500 per month
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Eligibility Criteria
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) & Assam Rifles (AR) Personnel
- For wards or widows of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel, who died while on duty (including election duty), wards of personnel, who became disabled due to reasons attributable to government service, and wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel, who have received gallantry awards, are eligible.
- Wards or widows of retired and serving CAPFs & AR personnel (Personnel below Officer Rank) are eligible if pursuing their first professional degree program in fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary Science, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, B.Sc (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA, and MCA, in accordance with the guidelines specified.
- Applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which is either their 10+2, Diploma, or Graduation (or equivalent).
States/Union Territories (UTs) Police Personnel
Eligible applicants under this category are dependent wards of State/UTs police personnel who were martyred during terrorist or Naxal attacks, subject to the following:
- They must be pursuing their first professional degree program in fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary Science, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, B.Sc (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA, and MCA, in accordance with the guidelines.
- Applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which is either their 10+2, Diploma, or Graduation (or equivalent).
(Note: Wards admitted in 2nd year of technical/professional Bachelor degree course (BE/B. Tech etc) through lateral entry after completion of Diploma courses are eligible for PMSS.)
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PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Eligible Courses
Professional/Technical Degree Courses: Medical
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine Surgery)
- BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine Surgery
- BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine Surgery)
- BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine Surgery)
- B.Sc., BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
- B.Sc., MLT (Medical Lab Technology)
- B. VSc. & AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Hospitality)
- B. Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
- B.Sc. Nursing (Bachelor of Nursing)
- BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Science)
- Pharm “D” (Doctor of Pharmacy)
- B.Sc. Optometry (Bachelor of Science in Optometry)
- B. Oct. Thep. (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy)
- B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology)
- B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering)
- B. Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)
- B.Sc. (Nautical Technology)
- B.Sc. (Transportation Technology)
- B.Sc. (Computer Science/ Comp Sys & Engineering/ Comp Data Science/Info Tech)
- B.Sc. (Software Engineering)
- B.Sc. (Electronics)
- B.Stat (Bachelor of Statistics)
- Ayurvedacharya
- B.Pharm (Ayurveda)
- BPO (Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics)
- B. Optom (Bachelor of Clinical Optometry)
- B.R.Sc. (Bachelor of Rehabilitation Science)
- B.Sc. (Physician Assistant and Emergency and Trauma Care Management
- B.Sc. OT & AT (Operation Theatre & Anesthesia Tech)
- B.Sc. (Medical/Bio-Med/ Bio- Chemical) (all or in combination)
- B.Sc. (Forensic Science)
- B.Sc. (Hons) Medical Tech in Radiography/Medical Imaging Technology/Radiology) (all or in combination)
- GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery)
- B.Sc. (Public Health/All Nutrition Programme)
- B.Sc. (Speech & Hearing)
- B.Sc. (Optometry)
- B.Sc. (Audiometry)
- B.Sc. (Ophthalmic)
- B.Sc. (Hons) Family/Community Science)
- B.Sc. Cardio Perfusion Technology (CPT)
- B.Sc. (Neuro Technology)
- B. EI. Ed (Bachelor of Elementary Education)
- BPES (Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports)
Management Courses
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BBM (Bachelor of Business Management)
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)
- MCA (Master of Computer Application)
- B. Plan (Bachelor of Planning)
- B.Sc. CA & BM (Bachelor of Commercial Agriculture & Business Management)
- BHMCT (Bachelor in Hotel Management Catering Tech) (All streams or in combination)
- BHTM (Bachelor of Hotel and Tourism Management)
- BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism & Travel Management)
- BHMTT (Bachelor of Hotel Management, Travel & Tourism) (All streams or in combination)
- BMS (Bachelor of Management Study)
- BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies)
- MFM (Master of Financial Management)
- MFT (Master of Foreign Trade)
- MHRD (Master of Human Resource Development)
- MIB (Master of International Business)
- M. Mkt. M (Master of Marketing Management)
- MSW (Master of Social Work)
- MMS (Master of Management Studies)
- BBE (Bachelor of Business Economics)
Other Professional Courses
- B.Sc. Agriculture
- B.F.Sc./B.Fisheries
- B.Sc. Horticulture
- Coy Secretary
- B.Sc. Bio-Tech
- B.Ed.
- B.M.C
- Hotel Management Degree
- B.P.Ed.
- B.A.S.L.P
- B.F.T
- B.Sc. Microbiology
- B.Sc. H.H.A
- L.L.B
- Bachelor of Elementary Education
- B.F.A
- B.F.D
- B.A. L.L.B
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: How to Apply?
- The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the wards of CAPFs/AR personnel and States/UTs Police personnel will be administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) version 2.0.
- Eligible candidates are required to submit their applications online via the NSP website, www.scholarship.gov.in. It is crucial to apply within the given timeframe.
- Comprehensive guidelines and the necessary documents/prescribed formats for both new and renewal applicants are accessible on the NSP website (www.scholarship.gov.in) and the WARB, MHA website (www.warb-mha.gov.in). Applicants are advised to carefully review these resources and ensure all required documents are scanned and uploaded correctly during the online application process.
(Note: Application window for the academic session 2025-26 is yet to become live. We will keep our readers posted.)
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Required Documentation
In order to apply online for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2.0, fresh applicants falling under the eligibility criteria, must submit and upload the following documents:
1. Service Certificate: A certificate issued by the Head of Office (H.O.O.) for serving personnel, as per the format provided in Annexure-A.
2. Marksheet & Supporting Certificates: Applicants are required to upload a duly attested scanned copy of their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) marksheet (i.e., Class XII, Diploma, Graduation, or an equivalent) along with the relevant certificate(s) as listed below:
3. PPO/Discharge Certificate/Book: This document is mandatory for applicants falling under categories A to F (Note: Refer to the main guidelines for the definition of these categories).
Disability Certificate: Required for applicants in categories B & D
[Note: Refer to the main guidelines for the definition of these categories].
Death Certificate: Mandatory for applicants in categories A & C
[Note: Refer to the main guidelines for the definition of these categories].
Certificate of Gallantry Award: Required for applicants in category E [Note: Refer to the main guidelines for the definition of this category].
Bonafide Certificate: A certificate issued by the current Institute or College where the applicant is enrolled.
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: Contact Details
In the case of any queries related to the PM scholarship, its eligibility, award details, selection criteria, application process and more, applicants can directly contact the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) on the below-mentioned contact details.
Name: Dr. Pudi Hari Prasad
Designation: Joint Secretary (ESW)
Telephone: 23011804
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme shows how India is dedicated to helping bright students, especially those from families committed to serve our country. By offering financial help, PMSS allows students who’ve finished 12th grade to continue pursuing their career goals. This is a fitting tribute to service personnel.
PM Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education: FAQs
What is the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), and who administers it?
The PMSS was launched in 2006-07 by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence. It supports higher education for wards and widows of CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and State Police personnel martyred in terror or Naxal attacks.
How many scholarships are offered annually under the PMSS?
Each year, 2,000 new scholarships are awarded (1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls), with an additional 500 scholarships (250 each for boys and girls) for wards of State/UT police personnel martyred in terror/Naxal attacks.
What are the financial benefits under PMSS?
Girls receive ₹36,000 annually (₹3,000/month), while boys receive ₹30,000 annually (₹2,500/month) for their professional education.
Who is eligible under the PMSS scheme?
Wards/widows of CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and martyred State Police personnel who are pursuing their first professional degree with a minimum 60% in their qualifying exam are eligible. This includes dependents of deceased, disabled, gallantry awardees, and serving/retired personnel (below officer rank).
What courses are covered under PMSS?
Eligible courses include engineering, medicine, dental, nursing, veterinary, BBA, BCA, B.Ed., MBA, MCA, LLB, and other technical/professional programs such as hotel management and social work.
Are lateral entry students eligible for PMSS?
Yes. Students who enter 2nd year via lateral entry (e.g., after diploma) into professional courses like B.Tech are eligible for PMSS benefits.
How to apply for the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme?
Applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at www.scholarship.gov.in during the application window (typically Dec 2025 – Jan 2026).
What documents are required for PMSS?
Key documents include service certificate, MEQ mark sheet, PPO/discharge certificate, bonafide certificate, and applicable certificates for death, disability, or gallantry award.
Who qualifies under the State/UT Police Personnel category for PMSS?
Dependent wards of police personnel martyred in terrorist or Naxal attacks, pursuing their first professional degree with at least 60% marks, are eligible under this special category.
How does PMSS support national development?
PMSS helps meritorious students from service families access higher education, fostering social equity and contributing to a skilled, educated workforce vital for nation-building.