Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is an initiative of the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for the dependent widows and wards of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel. The scheme was introduced under the National Defence Fund to promote higher technical and professional education among these deserving candidates.
This scheme has extended further for the dependent wards of State Police Personnel who are martyred during terror or Naxal attacks. A total of 2000 scholarships are disbursed each academic year for the wards of CAPFs & AR personnel. 1000 scholarships each are meant for the girls and boys. Applicants are advised to read the complete article to get information about the eligibility criteria, order of preference, applicable courses, documents required, and other details.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – An Overview
| Scholarship Name | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards of
CAPF & Assam Rifles |
| Provided By | Welfare and Rehabilitation Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |
| Scholarship Level | National Level |
| Beneficiaries | Widows and Wards of the Deceased/Ex-service Personnel of Armed Forces |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Duration of Scholarship | Dependent on the Courses Selected (2-5 years) |
| Official Website | mha.gov.in |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship scheme are as follows:
1. Qualified Applicants:
- Candidates must be the wards/widows of disabled or martyred CAPFs & AR personnel while in service or during election duty.
- Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel in receipt of Gallantry Awards are also eligible to apply.
2. Serving and Retired Personnel:
- Wards/widows of retired and serving CAPFs & AR personnel are also eligible. Specifically those below officer rank subject to availability of scholarship.
3. Eligible Fields of Study:
An applicant must be pursuing first professional degree programs in the following fields:
- B. Tech
- BE
- B. Pharma
- MBBS
- BBA
- BA
- LLB including others
- Students undergoing a second professional degree course are not eligible for the scheme such as MBA after BBA, M. Tech after B. Tech etc.
4. Academic Performance:
- Applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which corresponds to Class 12/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent for new applicants.
- For renewal of scholarship, applicants must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in their professional course, passing each subsequent academic year.
5. Grace Period:
- A grace period of one year will only be considered for those cases where there is a delay on the part of the candidate in submitting their application for the renewal of the scholarship.
Note:-
- In the case of applicants who have completed their Class 12 exams from CBSE, the percentage of marks in MEQ is calculated on the basis of the marks obtained in the best five subjects out of 500.
- PMSS scholarships are limited to first Professional Degree Courses only. It applies to B.Ed but not to combined courses like BA + B.Ed.
- In the case of integrated ME/M.Tech/M.Pharma programs, the scholarship will be awarded for the initial three or four years as applicable.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Awards
Girls: ₹3,000 per month
- This amount is paid annually after the selection process.
- Each girl receives an amount of ₹36,000 annually
Boys: ₹2,500 per month
- Each boy receives an amount of ₹30,000 annually
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Order of Preferences
Eligible applicants in the new category will be shortlisted on the basis of the order of preference and the percentage of marks they have obtained in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
For CAPFs/AR Personnel
| Categories | Order of Preferences |
| Category A | Wards/Widows of CAPFs & AR Personnel Killed in Action |
| Category B | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR Personnel Disabled in Action |
| Category C | Wards/Widows of Deceased CAPFs & AR Personnel Who died for Causes Attributable to Government Service, Including Casualties during the Conduct of Election |
| Category D | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR Personnel Disabled While in Service with Disability Attributable to Government Service |
| Category E | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR Personnel in Receipt of Gallantry Awards |
| Category F | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR Personnel (PBOR) |
| Category G | Wards of Serving CAPFs & AR Personnel (PBOR), Subject to the Availability of Scholarships |
Note:
- The children of deceased personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles (AR) will be considered for scholarships under Categories “A” to “F” in accordance with their priority.
- The children of Assistant Commandants within CAPFs and AR, who do not receive the pay benefits of an Assistant Commandant and are paid at the Inspector’s level, are eligible for scholarships under Categories “F” and “G”.
- Applicants, regardless of their marital status, are eligible to apply for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Applicable Courses
The courses eligible for the scholarship scheme are as follows:
- BE (Bachelor of Engineering)
- B. Tech (Bachelor of Technology)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
- B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education)
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- B Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
- B.Sc (Nursing)
- B.Sc (Agriculture) including others.
Note:-
- These courses must be recognized by appropriate authorities like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), and University Grants Commission (UGC) to be eligible for the PMSS scholarship.
- To read the detailed list of professional/technical degree courses applicable for PMSS, please click here.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Documents Required
1. Service Certificate:
- Issued by the Head of Office (H.O.O) for serving personnel
2. Scanned Copy of Mark Sheet (MEQ):
- Mandatory Class 12/Diploma/Graduation or Equivalent
3. Additional Certificates Required Based on Categories:
- PPO/Discharge Certificate/Book (Mandatory for Category A to F)
- Disability Certificate (Mandatory for Category B & D)
- Death Certificate (Mandatory for Category A & C)
- Certificate of Gallantry Award (Mandatory for Category E)
4. Renewal of Application
- Service Certificate: Issued by the Head of Office (H.O.O) for serving personnel in Category 4.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Non-eligibility Criteria
Categories of applicants not eligible for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) are as follows:
- Wards of civilian employees of CAPFs, AR, and States/UTs Police personnel are not eligible.
- Applicants pursuing professional courses through correspondence/distance learning are not eligible.
- Applicants already receiving benefits from other scholarship schemes or stipends and financial assistance are not eligible.
- Applicants who have already availed a scholarship under PMSS are not eligible for a second scholarship.
- Applicants pursuing courses that do not lead to the award of a degree or pursuing master’s degree programs (except MBA and MCA, subject to first professional course) are not eligible.
- Applicants studying at colleges/institutes/universities that are not approved under the UGC Act or not recognised by AICTE. Those institutions that do not offer NBA-accredited courses for engineering degree programs or are not approved by the Medical Council of India for medical degree programs, are not eligible.
- Applicants studying abroad are not eligible for PMSS.
- If a selected student changes their course/college and obtains fresh admission in the subsequent academic year, their scholarship application will be permanently rejected.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Payment of the Scholarship Amount
- The scholarship amount for applicants selected under both the fresh and renewal categories will be electronically credited/transferred directly into the bank accounts of the selected recipients.
- This transfer will be facilitated through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) as part of the Government’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Program.
- It is mandatory for applicants to submit their bank particulars, including the account number of a nationalised bank, which should be linked with their Aadhaar number.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Terms and Conditions
- Students must pass the professional course with a minimum of 50% marks in order to become eligible for scholarship renewal in subsequent years.
- The scholarship is tenable for up to 5 years, depending on the duration of the applicant’s pursued course.
- Selected students will receive a personal letter from the honourable Prime Minister.
- Students admitted in the second year of professional/technical bachelor’s degree courses through lateral entry can also apply for the scholarship.
Also Read: PM Scholarship Scheme – Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Application Process
Steps for filling out the application form are as follows:
1. Registration as New Users:
- First-time applicants need to register with NSP.
- Applicants should navigate to the ‘New Registration’ tab under ‘Applicant Corner’.
- Applicants should provide all the required information and then click on ‘Register’ to complete the registration process.
- Upon successful registration, a student application ID and password will be generated, and these details will be sent to the registered mobile number.
2. Logging in to NSP:
- After registration, applicants must log in to NSP using the newly generated ID and password.
- An OTP (One Time Password) will be sent to the registered mobile number, which must be used to change the password.
3. Accessing the Application Form:
- Once the password is updated, candidates are directed to the ‘Applicant’s Dashboard’ Page.
- On this page, applicants should click on ‘Application form’ to initiate the application process.
4. Providing Details:
- Applicants should furnish all the necessary information, including basic registration details, academic and contact details including scheme details.
5. Document Upload:
- All required supporting documents that verify identity and academic eligibility should be uploaded by the applicants.
6. Saving as Draft:
- It is advisable to save the filled-in application form as a draft.
- This allows applicants to review every detail and ensure accuracy before submission.
7. Final Submission:
- To complete the scholarship application process, applicants should click on the ‘Submit’ button to submit the application form.
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2023 – What it is?
| Note:- |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – FAQs
What is the selection process for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) ?
The selection process for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is based on factors like academic performance, eligibility criteria, and the order of preference outlined in the guidelines.
What if one changes a course or college after being selected for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme?
Changing the course or college in subsequent academic years can lead to permanent rejection under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme.
What are the eligible courses under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme?
PMSS covers first professional degree courses such as BE, B. Tech, BDS, MBBS, B.Ed., BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, and B.Sc. (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), among others.
Can widows of CAPFs & AR personnel who were not martyred but retired apply for PMSS?
Yes, wards/widows of retired and serving CAPFs & AR Personnel are also eligible to apply for PMSS. Specifically those below officer rank can apply, however, this is subject to availability of scholarship.
Can one apply for PMSS if pursuing a degree abroad at a foreign institution?
No, PMSS is intended for students pursuing degrees in Indian institutions and is not applicable for students pursuing their studies abroad.
What if an applicant forgets the PMSS application ID or password?
There is an option on NSP to reset the password or recover the application ID using the student’s registered email or mobile number.