Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF – Important Dates
| Particulars | Date/Timelines |
| Last Date for Application Submission | October 31, 2025 |
| Document Verification by Authorities | November 2025 (within 15-30 days post-deadline) |
| Result Declaration/Merit List Release | December 2025 (tentative) |
| Disbursement of First Installment | January 2026 onwards (tentative) |
| Renewal Application Window | July-October 2026 (for 2026-27 cycle) |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS 2025- Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be dependent wards (children) or widows of ex-serving or serving RPF/RPSF personnel who hold ranks below that of a Gazetted Officer, such as constables, head constables, and inspectors. Only two wards from each family are eligible to apply.
- Students must have secured a minimum of 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ). The MEQ may include class 12 for undergraduate courses, a diploma for lateral entry into undergraduate courses, or a graduation degree for postgraduate programs.
- Students must be enrolled in a full-time professional or technical degree course that is recognised by regulatory bodies such as AICTE, MCI, UGC, or NCTE. The list of eligible streams includes:
| Engineering | Agriculture |
| Medicine | Education (B.Ed) |
| Management | Law |
| Computer Applications | Pharmacy and Nursing |
| Other vocational degrees | |
| CLICK HERE for the detailed list of eligible courses under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF |
Note – It’s important to note that the courses for master’s degree are not eligible under the PMSS, except for MBA and MCA programs.
- Applicants must have taken admission in the academic year 2025–26, and applications should be submitted for the same session.
PMMS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF – Priority Categories
| Category | Details |
| Category I | Wards or widows of personnel who died in harness due to encounters with terrorists or criminals, while protecting railway property, passengers, or while performing election duty |
| Category II | Wards or widows of personnel who died while in service (non-combat deaths) |
| Category III | Wards of retired RPF/RPSF personnel |
| Category IV | Wards of serving RPF/RPSF personnel |
If the number of applications exceeds the quota, preference will be given to applicants from higher priority categories.
Additional Conditions:
There is no specified upper age limit; however, applicants must comply with the admission norms of the respective institute. In addition, the institute must be compliant with the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) in order for the applicant to be eligible.
Benefits of Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS
The NSP Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways offers direct financial aid to ease tuition and living costs, enabling students to focus on their studies. Scholarships are merit-based, with recipients receiving a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister. Support continues for the course duration (typically 2–5 years) and may be renewed if academic standards are maintained.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS – Amount and Duration
| Benefit Type | Description/Details | Amount (Monthly) | Duration | Remarks |
| Scholarship for Male Students | Financial assistance for tuition and maintenance in eligible professional courses. | ₹2,500 | 2-5 years (course duration) | Disbursed via DBT; renewable based on academic performance. |
| Scholarship for Female Students | Enhanced financial support to promote gender equality, covering similar expenses. | ₹3,000 | 2-5 years (course duration) | 50% of the total 150 scholarships are reserved for girls; same renewal terms. |
Note – These amounts are fixed for the 2025-26 cycle and are subject to government revisions in future years. Recipients must maintain at least 50% marks in subsequent exams for renewal, with proof of progression required.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS – Primary Objectives
Recognising the challenges faced by families of these dedicated personnel, especially in cases of martyrdom or service-related hardships, the scheme was introduced to encourage higher education in professional fields. The primary objectives include:
- Motivating wards to pursue technical and professional degrees, thereby enhancing employability and contributing to national development.
- Offering a safety net for families by covering educational expenses, particularly for those who have lost a primary breadwinner.
- Ensuring gender parity by reserving 50% of scholarships for female candidates and promoting women’s empowerment within these communities.
- Limiting eligibility to two wards per family to ensure equitable distribution.
Administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), the scheme awards 150 scholarships annually, with disbursements made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s bank account. It aligns with broader government efforts to support defense and paramilitary families, similar to schemes for other forces, but is tailored specifically for railway protection personnel.
Documents Needed for Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS
Students are required to keep the following documents handy to ensure a smooth application. It is advised to prepare the following scanned copies in PDF/JPG format. All documents must be self-attested before submission.
For Fresh Applicants
- Service Certificate for category IV (serving personnel), issued by the respective RPF/RPSF office
- Pension Payment Order (PPO)/Discharge Certificate/Book for categories I, II, and III
- Marksheet of MEQ (e.g., class 12/diploma/graduation) showing at least 60% marks
- Proof of admission/enrollment in the eligible course
- Aadhaar card of the student
- Bank account details (passbook/first page) in the student’s name (or joint with parent)
- Passport-size photograph
For Renewal Applicants
- Updated Service Certificate
- Previous year’s marksheet or proof of promotion/upgrade from the institute
- Bonafide certificate from the current institution
Application Process for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF application process is carried out through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Here is the step-wise procedure to apply for the scholarship:
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by providing basic details such as your name, mobile number, and email.
- Log in to NSP using your credentials.
- Select the “Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for RPF/RPSF” from the dashboard.
- Fill in personal and educational details and provide your parents’ service status.
- Upload scanned copies of essential documents, including identity proof, marksheets, service certificates, admission proof, and bank account details.
- Review all details entered in the application carefully.
- Submit the application before the deadline (late submissions are not accepted).
- The concerned railway zone or RPSF will verify the parent’s service certificate.
- Educational institutions will verify academic continuation for renewal cases.
- Upon successful verification and selection, the scholarship amount will be disbursed directly to the applicant’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPS – Selection and Renewal Process
For renewal applicants, it is mandatory to apply annually on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) using the original application ID, along with proof of continued enrollment and a minimum of 50% marks secured in the previous academic year. Once approved, disbursements are processed seamlessly each year, continuing up to the full duration of the course.
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal 2025 – NSP Login, Check Status, Last Date
FAQs
What is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for RPF/RPSF?
The PMSS for RPF/RPSF is a Ministry of Railways initiative to provide financial aid to dependent wards and widows of serving, retired, or deceased RPF/RPSF personnel for pursuing recognised professional/technical courses (e.g., B.Tech, MBBS, MBA). It offers 150 scholarships annually with financial support of ₹2,500/month for male students and ₹3,000/month for female students, disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Who is eligible to apply for the PMSS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF 2025?
Eligible applicants include dependent wards (up to two per family) or widows of RPF/RPSF personnel below Gazetted Officer rank, with at least 60% marks in their qualifying exam (e.g., class 12 for UG courses). They must be enrolled in full-time AICTE/UGC-recognised courses like engineering, medicine, or law. Priority is given to wards/widows of personnel killed in action, followed by deceased in service, retired, and serving personnel.
What is the application deadline for PMSS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF 2025?
The last date to apply for the 2025-26 academic year is October 31, 2025, through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Early submission is recommended to avoid technical issues.
How can I apply for the PMSS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF?
You can apply by registering at scholarships.gov.in using your Aadhaar card or mobile number. Create an account and then log in using your credentials. Once logged in, select the PMSS for RPF/RPSF, fill in personal, academic, and bank details, upload required documents (e.g., marksheets, service certificate), and submit by October 31, 2025. Track your application using the generated ID.
What documents are required for the scholarship application?
Documents required for fresh applicants are a Service certificate, PPO/Discharge Book (for retired/deceased), a class 12/diploma/graduation marksheet (min. 60%), admission proof, Aadhaar, bank passbook, and passport-size photo. For renewals, documents include the previous year’s marksheet (min. 50%), bonafide certificate, and updated service certificate (if applicable). Documents must be scanned (PDF/JPG, under 200 KB) and self-attested.
What are the benefits of the PMSS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF?
Students selected are offered monthly financial assistance. Male students receive ₹2,500/month, and female students receive ₹3,000/month for the course duration (2-5 years), with 50% of the 150 scholarships reserved for girls. Recipients also get a congratulatory letter from the Prime Minister. Funds are disbursed via DBT, renewable annually with at least 50% marks in exams.
Which courses are eligible under the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF?
Eligible courses include full-time professional/technical programs recognised by AICTE, UGC, MCI, etc., such as B.E./B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, BBA, MBA, BCA, MCA, LLB, B.Pharma, B.Ed, and B.Sc. Agriculture. Ineligible courses include master’s degrees (except MBA/MCA), distance learning, part-time, or lateral entry via management quota.
How are students selected for the PMSS for the Wards of RPF/RPSF, and when are results announced?
Applicants are selected on a merit basis with preference given to priority categories in the following order: (1) wards/widows of personnel killed in action, (2) deceased in service, (3) retired, (4) serving personnel. Results are tentatively announced in November-December 2025 on the NSP, with disbursements starting in January 2026.