The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) 2025 is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Introduced in 2006-07, the scheme provides financial assistance to the dependent wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel to pursue higher technical and professional education. This scholarship aims to support deserving students by reducing financial burdens and encouraging professional growth.
Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)
• Launched by: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India
• Beneficiaries: Wards/Widows of CAPFs & AR personnel
• Scholarship Amount:
-
₹3,000 per month for Girls (₹36,000 annually)
-
₹2,500 per month for Boys (₹30,000 annually)
• Duration: Up to 5 years (as per course duration)
• Total Scholarships: 2,000 fresh scholarships annually (equally distributed among boys and girls)
• Application Mode: Online via National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Benefits
• ₹3,000/month for Girls and ₹2,500/month for Boys paid annually
• Financial support up to 5 years, depending on the professional course duration
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
• Personal Letter from the Hon’ble Prime Minister to selected students
Eligibility Criteria
• Must be a ward/widow of:
-
Deceased CAPFs/AR personnel (in harness/election duty)
-
Personnel disabled due to service-related incidents
-
Retired personnel in receipt of Gallantry Awards
-
Serving/Retired personnel (below Officer Rank) • Must be pursuing first professional degree in recognized fields such as:
-
Engineering (BE/B.Tech)
-
Medicine (MBBS, BDS)
-
B.Sc. Nursing, Agriculture, Veterinary Science
-
BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, MBA, MCA, etc. • Must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in MEQ (10+2/Diploma/Graduation) • Two children per family can avail the scholarship
• Admission must be in approved institutions recognized by UGC/AICTE/MCI/NBA etc.
Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ)
• For BE/B.Tech: 10+2/Diploma
• For MBBS: 10+2
• For MBA/MCA: Graduation
Note: Lateral entry students admitted to 2nd year after Diploma are also eligible.
Order of Preference (Priority Categories)
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Wards/Widows of personnel killed in action |
| B | Wards of personnel disabled in action |
| C | Wards/Widows of personnel deceased due to service causes |
| D | Wards of personnel disabled during service (service-related) |
| E | Wards of Gallantry Awardees |
| F | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel (PBOR) |
| G | Wards of serving CAPFs & AR personnel (PBOR) |
Exclusions
• Wards of civilian employees of CAPFs, AR, State/UT Police
• Students pursuing correspondence/distance learning courses
• Students already availing benefits under other scholarship schemes
• Applicants pursuing non-degree/diploma courses
• Students enrolled in unapproved/unrecognized institutions
• Study abroad programs are not eligible
• Change of course or institution after selection leads to cancellation
Application Process (Online)
Step-by-Step Guide:
New Applicants
-
Click on “New Registration” under Applicant Corner
-
Accept the undertaking and continue
-
Fill in the required details and complete registration
Registered Applicants
-
Login under “Fresh Application”
-
Select PMSS for Wards of CAPFs & AR
-
Complete the application form
-
Upload the required documents
-
Submit the application
Documents Required
For Fresh Applicants
• Aadhaar Card
• Service Certificate (as per Annexure-A)
• Mark Sheet of MEQ (XII/Diploma/Graduation)
• PPO/Discharge Certificate (for Category A to F)
• Disability Certificate (for Category B & D)
• Death Certificate (for Category A & C)
• Gallantry Award Certificate (for Category E)
• Aadhaar-seeded Bank Account Details
For Renewal Applicants
• Service Certificate (for serving personnel)
• Certificate from Institution verifying satisfactory academic performance
Payment of Scholarship
• Scholarship amount is disbursed annually via PFMS (Public Finance Management System) under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode directly into the student’s bank account.
Important Instructions
• Applicants must ensure eligibility before applying
• Ineligible applicants will face cancellation and blacklisting
• Provide a valid mobile number and email ID
• Submission of incomplete applications or false information leads to rejection
• Bank account must be linked with Aadhaar
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the “Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles”?
The “Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles” is a scholarship scheme which was introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India from the academic year 2006-07 to encourage higher technical & professional education for the dependent wards & widows of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR) Personnel. - How many scholarships are available under the scheme each year?
A total of 2000 scholarships are awarded annually under the PMSS, with an equal allocation for both girls and boys. - What are the benefits provided under the scheme?
The benefits under the PMSS include a monthly scholarship amount as follows:
₹3,000 per month for girls
₹2,500 per month for boys - What is the duration of the scholarship?
The scholarship is applicable for up to 5 years, depending on the duration of the course pursued by the applicant and as approved by the respective regulatory body. - What happens if there is a shortfall in fresh scholarship recipients?
In the event that the number of fresh applicants selected is less than 1000, the shortfall will not be adjusted from the allocation for girls or boys. - What are the categories of individuals eligible for the scheme?
1. Wards or widows of deceased Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (ARs) personnel.
2. Wards of personnel who died in harness or while on election duty, as well as wards of personnel disabled due to causes attributable to Government service.
3. Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel who are recipients of Gallantry Awards.
4. Wards or widows of retired and serving CAPFs & AR Personnel (Personnel below Officer Rank) pursuing their first professional degree program in specified fields. - In which fields of study can applicants pursue their first professional degree under the scheme?
Only First professional degree courses like BE, B Tech, BDS, MBBS, B.Ed., BBA, BCA, B Pharma, B.Sc (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.) duly recognized by the respective Government Regulatory Bodies, such as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Medical Council of India (MCI), University Grant Commission (UGC). - What academic qualifications are required for new applicants?
New applicants must have a minimum of 60% marks in Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), i.e., 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent. - What is the academic requirement for renewal applicants?
For applicants applying under the renewal category, it is mandatory to pass each subsequent academic year of the professional courses being pursued by them with a minimum of 50% marks. - Is there any grace period provided for the renewal of the scholarship?
Yes, a grace period of one year only may be entertained for cases where there is a delay on the part of the candidate in submitting the application for renewal of the scholarship. - Are the wards of civilian employees of CAPFs and AR personnel eligible for scheme?
No. - Can applicants pursuing professional courses through correspondence/distance learning avail of scheme?
No, applicants pursuing professional courses through correspondence/distance learning are not eligible for scheme. - Are applicants who are already receiving benefits from other scholarship schemes or stipends eligible for scheme?
No. - Can applicants who have previously received scholarships under the scheme apply again?
No, Can applicants who have previously received scholarships under the scheme apply again? - Can applicants studying in colleges/institutes/universities not approved under UGC Act or not recognized by AICTE apply for the scheme?
No. - Are applicants studying abroad eligible for the scheme?
No. - How many children can avail of the benefits of the scheme in a family?
This scholarship is admissible for only two children per family. - How to apply under this scheme?
Online submission for the scholarship can be done through the website of the National Scholarship Portal with the required documents: https://scholarships.gov.in/ - How is the scholarship amount disbursed to selected applicants?
The Scholarship amount under PMSS for applicants selected under fresh and renewal categories would be credited/transferred directly into the Bank accounts of the selected applicants through Public Finance Management System (PFMS) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Programme of the Government.