The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), under the administration of the National Defence Fund, is designed to offer financial assistance to the dependent children of police personnel from various States and Union Territories (UTs) in India. This support is extended to enable them pursue professional degree programs approved by the Government Regulatory Bodies, including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), and University Grant Commission (UGC).
These scholarships are specifically designed for families of those who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, especially during the acts of Terrorism or Naxalite insurgencies.
Under this scheme, a total of 500 scholarships is awarded to the dependent children of the State Police personnel. These scholarships are distributed equally between male and female applicants, with 250 scholarships allocated to each gender.
Applicants are advised to thoroughly read the article to gain a comprehensive understanding of the eligibility criteria, eligible courses, the documentation needed, and other important details.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – An Overview
| Scholarship Name | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel |
| Provided By | Welfare and Rehabilitation Board, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |
| Beneficiaries | Wards of State Police Personnel Martyred in Terror/Naxal
Attacks |
| Scholarship Level | National Level |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Duration of Scholarship | Depends on Selected Courses (2-5 years) |
| Official Website | mha.gov.in |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates can refer to the eligibility criteria for the scholarship scheme mentioned below.
1. Qualified Applicants
- Qualified applicants must be a dependent ward of Police Personnel of a State/UT who have been martyred during Terror/Naxal attacks.
2. Eligible Fields of Study
Candidates must be pursuing first professional degree programs in the following fields:
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Dental
- Veterinary
- BBA
- BCA
- B. Pharma
- B.SC (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.)
- MBA
- MCA
3. Academic Performance:
- Applicants must have a minimum of 60% marks in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which corresponds to 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent for new applicants.
- For renewal of application, it is mandatory to pass each subsequent academic year of the professional courses being pursued with a minimum of 50% marks.
4. Grace Period:
- A grace period of one year may be entertained for cases where there is a delay on the part of the candidate in submitting their application for the renewal of the scholarship.
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).
| 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 the 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 State Police Force Personnel martyred in Terror/Naxalite violence will be considered under ‘Category D’ (Mentioned above).
- For dependent children of state police personnel who have tragically lost their lives during Terror or Naxal attacks, there will be no limitations based on rank.
- This scholarship is applicable for a maximum of two children per family, and it is the responsibility of both the beneficiaries and the respective Government of the States/UTs to ensure compliance with this rule.
- Applicants, regardless of their marital status, are eligible for PMSS.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Awards
Girls: ₹3,000 per month
- This amount is paid annually after the selection process.
- Each girl receives a total of ₹36,000 annually
Boys: ₹2,500 per month
- Each boy receives a total of ₹30,000 annually
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Important Guidelines
1. Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ):
To be eligible for the PMSS scholarship, an applicant must have achieved a minimum of 60% marks in their MEQ, which varies depending on the specific professional course they are pursuing. MEQ could be Class 12, Diploma, or Graduation, depending on the courses opted.
For Example:
- MEQ for MBBS is 10+2
- MEQ for BE/B.Tech. is 10+2 or Diploma
- MEQ for B.Ed and MBA is Graduation
Note:-
- Students admitted to the 2nd year of technical/professional bachelor degree courses (e.g., BE/B.Tech.) through lateral entry after completing diploma courses are also eligible for PMSS.
- For applicants who have passed the Class 12 exam from CBSE, the percentage of marks in MEQ will be calculated based on the marks obtained in the best five subjects out of 500.
2. Courses Applicable Under PMSS:
PMSS covers only the first professional degree courses which are as follows:
- BE
- B.Tech
- BDS
- MBBS
- B.Ed.
- BBA
- BCA
- B Pharma
- B.Sc. (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.)
The courses must be duly recognised by the following Government Regulatory Bodies:
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- Medical Council of India (MCI)
- University Grant Commission (UGC)
3. Scholarship for Integrated Courses:
- PMSS scholarships are limited to first professional degree courses only. It applies to B.Ed. but not to the 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 – Documents Required
Applicants applying online under the scholarship scheme are required to upload the following mandatory documents, depending on their category:
Fresh Applicants:
- A Service Certificate issued by the Head of Office (H.O.O) is mandatory for the serving personnel
- A duly attested scanned copy of the marksheet for the MEQ, such as Class 12/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent
- A certificate issued by the concerned State Government indicating that the state police personnel was killed in a Terror/Naxal violence incident is required to be uploaded
Renewal of Application:
- A Service Certificate, issued by the H.O.O, is required for the serving personnel.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Instructions for Applicants
- Applicants must ensure their eligibility and compliance with all prescribed conditions for the scholarship.
- If an applicant is found to be ineligible at any stage, whether before or after applying for the scholarship or during verification by authorities, their scholarship will be cancelled without any notice.
- Disciplinary action will be taken against them, and they will be blacklisted from applying for Central Government-sponsored scholarships for a period of five years.
- Incomplete application forms and failure to attach the required documents will result in the rejection of the application.
- All necessary information should be accurately provided in the respective columns. Once information is submitted by applicants, no changes or amendments will be accepted.
- It is mandatory to provide the mobile number and email address of the applicants or dependents of CAPFs, AR, and State Police personnel. This information is crucial for communication with regards to any discrepancies or updates through SMS and email.
- Any change of course/college by a selected applicant and obtaining fresh admission in a subsequent academic year will lead to permanent rejection of their scholarship.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Non-eligibility Criteria
- Applicants who do not belong to the categories specified in Columns 4(i) and 4(ii) (Order of Preference) are not eligible for the scholarship.
- Wards of civilian employees of CAPFs, AR, and State Police Personnel are not eligible.
- Applicants pursuing professional courses through correspondence/distance learning are not eligible.
- Applicants receiving benefits from other scholarship schemes or receiving stipends and financial assistance are also ineligible to apply.
- Applicants who have already received a scholarship under PMSS are not eligible for additional scholarships.
- Applicants pursuing courses that do not lead to the award of a degree, or those pursuing master’s degree programs (except MBA and MCA, subject to being their first professional course), are not eligible.
- Applicants admitted to colleges/institutes/universities that are not approved under the UGC Act, not recognised by AICTE, and do not offer NBA accredited courses for Engineering degree courses or are not approved by the Medical Council of India for Medical degree courses are not eligible.
- Applicants studying abroad are not eligible.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Payment of Scholarship
- The scholarship amount for both fresh and renewal category applicants will be directly credited/transferred into their bank accounts through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS).
- It is mandatory for applicants to submit their bank particulars, including their account number in a nationalised bank, which must be duly linked with their Aadhaar number.
Bank Account Requirements:
- Having an Aadhar number linked with a bank account is mandatory.
- In the case of a minor account, it should be converted into a major account to receive the scholarship amount.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Additional Information
- There is no fixed quota to State Governments in the scholarship allocation.
- The final list of selected fresh applicants will be prepared based on their respective category, as per the order of preference, and the percentage of marks obtained in the MEQ.
- If it is discovered at any stage that a student has fraudulently secured a scholarship by submitting false information/documents or concealing facts, their candidature will be automatically rejected. Such candidates will be required to refund the entire scholarship amount along with interest, and appropriate action will be taken against them.
- For any queries or assistance, applicants can contact the respective branches of State Governments.
- The decision of the Joint Secretary (Police-II) regarding the eligibility of the scholarship for the wards of State Police personnel will be final.
Also Read: PM Scholarship Scheme 2023 – Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – Application Process
Registration for New Users:
- First-time applicants need to register with NSP.
- Navigate to the ‘New Registration’ tab under ‘Applicant Corner’.
- Candidates 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.
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.
Accessing the Application Form:
- Once the password is updated, candidates are directed to the ‘Applicant’s Dashboard’ page.
- On the ‘Applicant’s Dashboard’ page, applicants should click on ‘Application form’ to initiate the application process.
Providing Details:
- Applicants should furnish all the necessary information, including registration details, academic details, basic details, contact details, and scheme details.
Document Upload:
- All supporting documents required to verify the identity and academic eligibility of the applicants should be uploaded by them.
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.
Final Submission:
- To complete the scholarship application process, applicants should click on the ‘Submit’ button to submit after having reviewed the application form.
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2023 – What it is?
Note:-
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Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme – FAQs
What is the objective of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
The objective of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is to provide financial assistance for higher education to the eligible dependents of martyred police personnel. This aims at promoting professional and technical education of the applicant.
What is the importance of having an Aadhaar-linked bank account in order to apply under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
An Aadhar-linked bank account is mandatory for receiving scholarship payments under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS). This is to facilitate Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly through the Public Finance Management System (PFMS).
Can the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) be modified or updated in the future?
Yes, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, can modify the guidelines and instructions if required for the successful implementation of the scheme in the future.
Is there an age limit criteria for applying under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
There is no specific age limit mentioned for applicants in the provided guidelines released for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
Can one apply for under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) if already receiving another scholarship?
Applicants already availing benefits from other scholarship schemes or receiving stipends and financial assistance are not eligible for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
Are there any specific courses that are not eligible for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
Diploma courses that do not lead to the award of a degree and master's degree programs (except MBA and MCA, subject to being the first professional course) are not eligible under the the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
How can a candidate check the status of their application for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
Candidates can check the status of their application for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) on the official website of NSP or by contacting the relevant authorities.
Can a candidate apply under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) if studying overseas?
No, the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is not applicable to candidates studying abroad.