PMSS Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Name of Scheme | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) |
| Provider | Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence, GOI |
| Eligibility | Dependent ward/widow of ex-servicemen and ex-coast guard personnel |
| Awards | Up to ₹3,000 per month for the duration of the course. |
| Number of Scholarships | 2000 scholarships every year (1000 for boys and 1000 for girls) |
| Application link | National Scholarship Portal (NSP): scholarships.gov.in |
| Application Mode | Online |
PMSS Key Dates 2025
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) 2025 dates are yet to be announced. It is expected that the application may open in the month of October this year, and it will remain open for a month. To know the tentative dates for PMSS 2025, check the table below.
PMSS Important Dates 2025
| Events | Dates |
| Application start date | First week of October 2025 (tentative) |
| Last date of application | Last week of November 2025 (Tentative) |
Note: The last date of application may be extended as per the discretion of the scholarship provider.
PMSS Eligibility Criteria 2025
Students must read the PMSS eligibility criteria carefully before applying for the scholarship. The key eligibility requirements that candidates need to fulfil for this scholarship include:
- Admission to the first year of a course (excluding lateral entry and integrated courses)
- Must have scored 60% or above in the Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ) — Class 12, Diploma, or Graduation
- The MEQ for various professional courses may vary depending on the course
- Must be a dependent ward or widow of ex-serviceman or ex-Coast Guard personnel
List of All Eligible Courses for Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme
| Particulars | Details |
| List of Professional / Technical Degree Courses Applicable for PMSS | Click Here |
PMSS Eligibility for Scholarship Priority
The selection of candidates will follow the below order of preference:
- Wards and widows of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel killed in action
- Wards of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel disabled in action and medically boarded out due to military/coast guard service-related disability
- Wards and widows of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel who died in service due to causes related to military/coast guard service
- Wards of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel disabled in service with a disability attributed to military/Coast Guard service
- Wards and widows of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel awarded gallantry awards
- Wards and widows of ESM/Ex-Coast Guard personnel (PBOR only)
PMSS Exclusions
Not all students are eligible for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS). Below are the situations where a student cannot apply for or continue under this scheme:
- Wrong Category: If you are not a ward or widow of uniformed/combat personnel from CAPFs, Assam Rifles, or State/UT Police, you are not eligible.
- Civilian Employees’ Wards: If your parent is a civilian staff in CAPFs, AR, or State Police, you cannot apply.
- Distance Learning Students: Students pursuing professional courses through distance or correspondence mode are not eligible.
- Already Receiving Another Scholarship: If you are already receiving another scholarship or financial aid, you can’t apply for PMSS.
- Previously Availed PMSS: If you have already received PMSS earlier, you cannot apply again.
- Course Type Not Eligible: You are not eligible if you are pursuing a diploma (not leading to a degree) or a postgraduate course (except MBA or MCA).
- Unapproved Colleges: If your college is not approved by UGC/AICTE, or doesn’t have NBA accreditation (for engineering), or is not approved by the Medical Council of India (for medical courses), then you cannot apply.
- Studying Abroad: Students studying outside India are not eligible.
- Changing College/Course: If you change your course or college after selection and take new admission in the next academic year, your scholarship will be permanently cancelled.
PMSS Rewards 2025
PMSS Benefits 2025
| Benefit Description | Details |
| Monthly Scholarship Amount (Girls) | ₹3,000 per month |
| Monthly Scholarship Amount (Boys) | ₹2,500 per month |
| Scholarship Duration | 1 to 5 years (based on course duration) |
| Additional Scholarships for Wards of Martyred State Police Personnel | 500 scholarships total (250 for boys, 250 for girls) |
Changes in PMSS Benefits
Since the inception of the PMSS scheme, its benefits have been revised twice—first was in the 2012-13 session and again in the 2018-19 session. Below, we have explained the changes in the PMSS benefits.
PMSS Benefits Over the Years
| Academic Year | For Girls | For Boys |
| 2006-07 to 2011-12 | ₹1,500 per month | ₹1,250 per month |
| 2012-13 to 2018-19 | ₹2,250 per month | ₹2,000 per month |
| 2019-20 onwards | ₹3,000 per month | ₹2,500 per month |
PMSS Application Process 2025
What are the steps to apply for the PM scholarship? Can a student apply for the scholarship offline? These are some common questions that may arise in the minds of applicants. In this section, we have addressed all the doubts related to the PMSS 2025 application process. Firstly, the application process for this scholarship is completely online and offline applications will not be considered valid. All PMSS applications must be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Before 2024, the PMSS applications were accepted through the Kendriya Sainik Board website, but from 2024 onwards, NSP has become the single window for all PMSS scholarship-related needs. Students can follow the detailed step-by-step guide below to fill out the form.
Step 1: Visit the Home Page of the National Scholarship Portal to register.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Students’ tab.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Login’ button under the OTR (One Time Registration) section.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Register’ tab.
Step 5: Read the guidelines carefully and tick the check boxes, then click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 6: Enter your Mobile Number and click on the Get OTP option.
Step 7: Enter the received OTP, Captcha Code, and click on ‘Verify’ to proceed.
Step 8: Fill in the Aadhaar number (student’s or parent’s Aadhaar number) and click on the Get OTP option. Now, click on the ‘Verify’ button.
Step 10: Students will be redirected to a page including personal details.
Step 11: Now fill in the required details (mother’s name, father’s name, and email ID) and click on the ‘Finish’ button.
Step 12: Once registered, students will get a registration number. (Note: This is a temporary registration number; students need to download the OTR mobile application for face authentication to complete the OTR process.)
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal 2025
How to Apply for PMSS 2025?
Now that you have created your account on NSP, it is time you apply for the PMSS. The steps below explain how you can apply for it.
1. Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal.
2. Click on the ‘Apply for Scholarship’ tab.
3. Enter your Login details.
4. Choose the ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme’ option.
5. Fill in the required details in the application form.
6. Attach the required documents along with the application form.
7. Now, click on the ‘Submit’ button.
Documents Required for the PMSS Application Process
Here is the list of all supporting documents that students must provide during the PMSS application process:
- The Aadhaar card of the student
- Matriculation certificate for verifying the date of birth
- Ex-Servicemen/Ex-Coast Guard certificate, duly filled in and signed by ZSB/Coast Guard HQ
- Bonafide certificate, correctly filled in and signed by the Vice Chancellor, Principal, Dean, Associate Dean, Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Director or Deputy Director of the institute/college
- A certificate from the student’s bank stating that their Aadhaar card is linked to their bank account number
- Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ) certificate as applicable, such as Class 12 mark sheet, graduation mark sheets (all 3 years), or diploma certificate
- First page of the bank passbook (preferably PNB/SBI only) clearly showing the name and account number of the student and the bank’s IFSC code
- PPO/ESM Identity Card for Category 6 and the following supporting documents for Categories 1 to 5:
Category 1: Part II Order (Army), General Form (Navy), or POR (Air Force)
Category 5: Award certificate along with the Gazette Notification
Category 6: Original PPO or ESM identity card (to be scanned and uploaded)
PMSS Selection Process
The selection process for the PMSS scholarship is quite elaborate and involves multiple stages. This ensures that no deserving student is left behind and that the funds allocated by the central government are not misused. Below, we have outlined the step-wise, detailed PMSS selection process for your reference.
Online Application
Students apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and upload the required documents. A registration number is generated upon submission.
Verification by the Institute
The applicant’s credentials are verified by their College/Institute/University.
Verification by CAPFs/AR/State Police
Service certificates and other eligibility documents are verified by CAPFs, AR, or State/UT Police authorities.
Rechecking & Merit List by WARB
WARB (Welfare and Rehabilitation Board) rechecks verified applications, prepares a merit list, and calculates the scholarship amount.
Fund Requisition by WARB to MHA
WARB sends a fund requisition to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the sanctioned scholarship amount.
Fund Sanction by MHA
MHA processes and draws funds from the PMO for disbursal.
Scholarship Transfer via PFMS
PFMS (Public Financial Management System) credits the scholarship amount directly to the applicant’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Withdrawal of PMSS Application
Applicants are permitted to withdraw their PMSS application at any time prior to the completion of Second Level (L2) verification, which is conducted at the Force Nodal Officer level.
To facilitate the withdrawal process, a drop-down menu containing a list of standard reasons will be available within the NSP portal.
Upon successful withdrawal, applicants may submit a new application:
- Under the same scheme, after making necessary corrections, or
- For a different scheme, provided the portal is open for submissions.
Please Note:
The existing provision for verification authorities to mark applications as defective will continue to apply for all withdrawal reasons, except when the reason for withdrawal is to apply under a different scheme.
PMSS Renewal Process
The selected scholars will receive the first instalment of the PMSS immediately after the merit list is announced; the subsequent payments are made only if the students apply for renewal after the completion of each academic year. Like the fresh application, candidates can also apply for the renewal online. However, to be eligible for renewal, it is mandatory to fulfil the following conditions:
- Obtaining at least 50% marks in each semester or academic year
- Pass all the subjects in each year/semester in a single attempt
Also Read – NSP Renewal
Number of Beneficiaries and Amount Disbursed Under PMSS
The Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence has released data on scholarship disbursement up to the academic year 2020-21. Students can view the total amount disbursed, along with the number of boys and girls selected for the PMSS scholarship over the years, in the table below.
| Academic Year | Financial Year | Total Applications (Fresh Cases) | Total Eligible Candidates | Fresh Cases (Merit List) | Renewal Cases | Boys | Girls | Total Amount Disbursed (₹) |
| 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 6,063 | 5,823 | 5,500 | 5,573 | 5,581 | 5,492 | 28,57,18,211 |
| 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 5,683 | 5,348 | 5,242 | 6,068 | 5,598 | 5,712 | 29,15,58,030 |
| 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 5,957 | 5,600 | 5,452 | 7,798 | 6,636 | 6,614 | 34,21,96,840 |
| 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 5,449 | 5,028 | 5,028 | 9,260 | 7,046 | 7,242 | 40,15,87,204 |
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 5,923 | 5,611 | 5,500 | 5,128 | 5,185 | 5,443 | 35,29,71,626 |
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 5,885 | 5,552 | 5,489 | 10,464 | 8,061 | 7,892 | 53,23,59,623 |
PMSS Contact Details
In case candidates have any queries related to the PMSS 2025—such as eligibility, award details, selection criteria, application process, and more—they can use the following contact information to seek assistance.
| CAPFs | Contact Details |
| Assam Rifles | Designation: Staff Officer (Administration)
Office Address: Directorate General, Assam Rifles, Shillong-793010 Contact No.: Tel No. 0364-2585119 Ext. 5051 E-mail ID: So1a-dgar@gov.in, loar-mah@nic.in |
| BSF | Designation: DC (Education)
Office Address: Directorate General, BSF, 6th Floor, Block No. 1, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003 Contact No.: Nodal Officer Mob. No. 9701630224, DA Mob. 9907714786 E-mail ID: addmte@bsf.nic.in, decthdn@bsf.nic.in |
| CISF | Designation: Section Officer (Welfare)
Office Address: Directorate General, CISF, Block No. 13, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003 Contact No.: Nodal Officer Mob. No. 923171124, DA Mob. 8809198423, Tel No. 011-24364851 Ext. 2396 E-mail ID: dc-wel@cisf.gov.in |
| CRPF | Designation: Deputy Commandant
Office Address: Directorate General, CRPF, Block No. 1, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003 Contact No.: Nodal Officer Mob. No. 9008019682, DA Mob. 8709193388, Tel No. 011-24364844 E-mail ID: digwel@crpf.gov.in, crpfndte@gmail.com |
| ITBP | Designation: Dy. Inspector General (G&W)
Office Address: Directorate General, ITBP, Room No. 211, 1st Floor, Block No. 04, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003 Contact No.: Nodal Officer Mob. No. 9966348750 E-mail ID: welfaredte@itbp.gov.in |
| SSB | Designation: Commandant (Welfare)
Office Address: Directorate General, SSB, East Block-VI, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066 Contact No.: Commandant Mob. No. 26181454, DA Mob. 9986342785 E-mail ID: adwelfarehq.ssb@gov.in |
Also Read: Top Scholarships for Undergraduates 2025
PMSS FAQs
Can a student apply offline for the PMSS?
No, only online applications are accepted for the PMSS through the official website of NSP.
Can a 2nd year student apply for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme?
No, only students enrolled in the first year of professional courses are eligible to apply for the PMSS, except in cases of lateral entry or integrated courses.
Is the PMSS applicable for diploma courses?
No, the PMSS is not applicable for diploma courses. It only covers professional degree programs that are recognised by central regulatory bodies such as AICTE, UGC, MCI, etc.
Is the PMSS scholarship open for PG courses?
The PMSS is applicable for a few PG courses but not for all PG courses. PMSS is applicable only to MCA and MBA courses and for integrated courses like B.Tech + LL.B, B.E + M.E, BBA + LL.B, BCA + MCA, etc.
Can a student use the PM scholarship to study abroad?
No, the scholarship is only for students who gain admission to approved colleges or universities within India. It cannot be used for studying abroad.
Can a PMSS scholar apply for the same scholarship again?
No, a student can avail of the scholarship for only one course. However, if the applicant withdraws their application, they may apply again for the PMSS.
What are the criteria to be fulfilled to receive the PMSS scholarship in subsequent years?
To continue receiving the PMSS benefits, students must secure a minimum of 50% marks in each academic year or semester.
What are the documents required to apply for PMSS?
While applying for the PMSS, students must support their application with documents such as academic certificates, bank account details, and service-related documents of the parent or spouse who worked in the CAPFs or state police department—like a death certificate, service certificate, gallantry award certificate, or disability certificate, as applicable.
What is the PMSS amount?
Selected students under the PMSS will receive ₹3,000 per month if they are female and ₹2,500 per month if they are male. The scholarship amount will be paid for up to five years, depending on the duration of the course.
Is it necessary to qualify NEET for PMSS?
Yes, certain eligible courses under the PMSS scholarship scheme, such as MBBS, require candidates to qualify the NEET exam. Therefore, if you intend to pursue a medical course that requires NEET, you must clear the exam in order to be considered for the PMSS scholarship.