The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), is the initiative by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. It is administered by the National Defence Fund. The scholarship scheme has been designed to support higher technical and professional education of the dependent wards of retired and currently serving Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel. It also includes widows of the personnel below the rank of Gazetted officer.
Under this scholarship program, male students are entitled to receive ₹2500 per month while female students will receive ₹3000 per month.
This article discusses this scholarship program meant for the Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel in terms of its application process, eligibility, documentation, and provides other useful information.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – An Overview
| Name of the Scholarship | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF |
| Name of the Scholarship Provider | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Scholarship Level | Selected Graduate and Postgraduate Courses |
| Scholarship Amount | Up to ₹3000 Per Month |
| Duration of the Scholarship | 2-5 years on the Basis of Course Duration |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Courses:
- The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF covers the following professional degree programs:
- BE
- B.Tech
- BDS
- MBBS
- BEd
- BBS
- BCA
- MCA
- B. Pharmacy etc.
- These programs must be duly recognized by the Government Regulatory Bodies like AICTE, MCI, UGC, NCTE, and others.
- It’s important to note that the courses on master’s degree are not eligible under the PMSS, except for MBA and MCA programs.
Note:- To go through the detailed list of eligible courses, please click here.
Eligibility Criteria for Students:
- To be eligible under the scholarship program, applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% or more in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
- MEQ refers to the Class 12, Diploma, or Graduation Program.
- Only students who have taken regular admission in the academic year 2022-23 are eligible for the scholarship.
- The scholarship is admissible for a maximum of two wards per family, and this limit criteria should be ensured by both the beneficiaries and the concerned Zonal Railways/RPSF.
Course-Wise MEQ Requirement
| Professional/Technical Courses | MEQ |
| MBBS or Equivalent Medical Courses | Class 12 |
| BE, B.Tech | Class 12/Diploma |
| BBA, BCA, BSc (Agriculture) | Class 12 |
| MBA, BEd, MCA | Graduation |
| BA LLB/BBA LLB/BSc LLB/B.Com LLB
(5-year Integrated Course Only) |
Class 12 |
Eligible Institutions: Only institutions in accordance with AISHE regulations are permissible for consideration under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Scholarship Amount
- Male students will receive ₹2500 per month.
- Female students will receive ₹3000 per month.
The disbursement of scholarship funds will be approved by the Director General of the Railway Protection Force (DG/RPF) on the basis of merit for each academic year.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Order of Preference
In the cases where number of applications exceeds the number of available scholarships, the order of preference in allocation of scholarships will be as follows:
Category (I):
Priority will be given to the wards and widows of ex-RPF/RPSF personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, specifically in encounters with terrorists or criminals while safeguarding Railway Property, Passengers, Passenger Areas, or during election work.
Category (II):
Next in line are the wards and widows of ex-RPF/RPSF personnel who passed away while actively serving in the force.
Category (III):
Following after, preference will be given to the wards of retired ex-RPF/RPSF personnel.
Category (IV):
Lastly, scholarships will be considered for the wards of currently serving RPF/RPSF personnel.
Note:- This order of preference ensures that priority is given to those who have faced the highest risks and made sacrifices in the service of protecting railway assets and passengers.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Required Documents
Both for fresh applicants and renewal of scholarship under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), the following documents are mandatory and must be uploaded in time:
Fresh Applicants:
- Service certificate issued by the respective offices of the serving personnel
- Pension Payment Order (PPO)/Discharge Certificate
- Marksheet/Grade Card of MEQ
Renewal of Scholarship:
- Latest Service Certificate
- Previous Class Marksheet/Grade Card/Proof of Upgradation
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Important Information
- Scholarship renewal can be initiated by the applicants through the National Scholarship Portal, using the application ID generated during the process of registration.
- If students are found to have provided false information at any point, all the remaining scholarship amount will be forfeited.
- Applicants will be disqualified if they do not pass the class they are currently enrolled in the same academic year or discontinue the course being pursued.
- It is mandatory for students to submit the bank details, including the account number of a nationalized bank, duly linked with Aadhaar number.
- Applicants can track the status of their applications and scholarship receipt using their user ID (system-generated registration number) and password.
- The final list of fresh applicants will be compiled on the basis of the respective categories in the order of preference and the percentage of marks obtained in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Application Process
Detailed information on the steps for filling out the application form under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel is as follows:
1. Registration as New Users:
- Prepare soft copies (electronic copy) of the required documents.
- Visit the official scholarship portal: scholarships.gov.in
- Click on “New Registration“.
- Read and understand the guidelines for registration.
- Scroll to the bottom and read the undertaking carefully.
- Accept the terms by checking the appropriate box.
- Click on “Continue“.
- A registration form will appear. It should be noted that the fields marked with * are compulsory.
- Fill in all the required details.
- Click on “Register”.
- The application ID and password will be displayed on the screen.
- The same information will be sent through SMS to the registered mobile number.
2. Logging in to National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
- After registration, applicants must log in to the NSP portal 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.
- Enter the application ID and the password.
- Type the Captcha as shown.
- Click on the “Login” tab.
- Provide the OTP received on the registered mobile number.
- Applicants will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
3. Accessing the Application Form:
- On the “Applicant’s Dashboard”, applicants should click on the “Application Form” to initiate the application process.
4. Providing Details:
- Applicants should furnish all the necessary information, including details on registration, academic qualification, basic details on contact, and the scheme.
5. Uploading Documents:
- Applicants should upload all supporting documents for the verification of their identity and academic eligibility.
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 the final submission.
7. Final Submission:
- To complete the scholarship application process, applicants should click on the “Submit” button after having reviewed the application form.
Also Read:
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards and Widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles
National Scholarship Portal 2023-24 – NSP Login, Check Status, Last Date
Note:-
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Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – FAQs
Who is eligible to apply under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the Wards of Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel?
Dependent wards of serving or retired (including death during service) RPF/RPSF personnel can apply under the PMSS Scheme for the Wards of Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel.
Is it possible to apply for PMSS if an applicant is pursuing a master’s degree program?
PMSS is generally applicable to undergraduate and technical courses, but exceptions apply for MBA and MCA programs. In other words, courses for master’s degree programs, other than MBA and MCA, do not qualify for PMSS.
What is the best point of contact for seeking assistance on queries related to PMSS (Ministry of Railways)?
For inquiries and support on queries related to PMSS (Ministry of Railways), applicants can reach out to Mr. Ajeet Singh, Section Officer/Sec (Spl), Security Dte./Railway Board, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. The contact details are as under:
Telephone: 011-23303283, 23041532, 030-43283 (Rly)
Email: ajeet.singh11@gov.in
Where can one get more information or assistance with the application process?
For detailed information and assistance with the application process, candidates can visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or contact the authorities administering the scholarship programs in the concerned state.
Does one need to complete the application in one attempt?
No, the applicants can apply and complete the application process in multiple attempts. They can save the application as a draft and continue later. However, applicants must complete the application process before the last date.
What should be the type and size of the documents required to be uploaded?
The required format should be a PDF or JPEG file. The size of each document should not exceed 200 KB.
Can students, who have been promoted to the next class, apply for the scholarship?
Yes, students who are promoted to the next class can apply for the scholarship program, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.