Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles (Merit-Based)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the National Defence Fund. It helps the children (wards) and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel study professional courses after school. Since the 2019-20 session it also covers wards of State/UT police personnel who were martyred in terror or Naxal attacks.
The scholarship supports first professional degree courses such as Engineering, Medicine (MBBS), Dental, Veterinary, B.Pharma, Nursing, Agriculture, B.Ed, BBA and BCA, and also MBA and MCA. To apply as a fresh candidate you need at least 60% marks in your last qualifying exam (Class 12, Diploma or Graduation). The award pays ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 a year) for girls and ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 a year) for boys, paid yearly after selection, for up to five years. Only two children per family can receive it.
Each year 2,000 scholarships go to CAPF and Assam Rifles wards (shared equally between girls and boys) and 500 go to wards of martyred state police personnel. Selection follows a set order of preference based on the parent's service category and marks. Apply online on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) with your service certificate, qualifying marksheet and an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Always check the portal for this year's exact last date.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, Nursing, Agriculture, Pharmacy, Management (MBA), Computer Applications (MCA), Education (B.Ed) |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | ₹3,000/month (₹36,000/year) for girls; ₹2,500/month (₹30,000/year) for boys — paid annually after selection, for up to 5 years (per MHA revised PMSS guidelines). |
| Duration | Up to 5 years, depending on the length of the course being pursued. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Service Certificate from the Head of Office (Annexure-A) for serving personnel
- Qualifying-exam marksheet (Class 12 / Diploma / Graduation)
- PPO / Discharge Certificate or Book (mandatory for categories A to F)
- Disability Certificate (mandatory for categories B & D)
- Death Certificate (mandatory for categories A & C)
- Certificate of Gallantry Award (mandatory for category E)
- State Government certificate confirming martyrdom in terror/Naxal violence (for state police category)
- Aadhaar-linked active bank account in a nationalised bank
How you're selected
Merit-based. Fresh applications are shortlisted by an order of preference (Categories A–G, based on the parent's CAPF/Assam Rifles service status — e.g. killed in action, disabled in action, deceased on duty, gallantry awardees, ex/serving PBOR) together with the percentage of marks in the qualifying exam. 2,000 scholarships per year for CAPF/AR wards (equal for girls and boys) and 500 for wards of martyred state police personnel.
FAQs
Who can apply? Wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles personnel — serving, retired, disabled, deceased, or gallantry-award holders (personnel below officer rank) — and wards of State/UT police personnel martyred in terror or Naxal attacks. Only two children per family are allowed.
How much money do I get? As per the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year) for girls and ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year) for boys, paid annually after selection, for up to five years. Confirm the current-year amount on the official portal.
What courses are covered? Only first professional degree courses like BE/B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, B.Pharma, B.Sc (Nursing/Agriculture), B.Ed, BBA, BCA, plus MBA and MCA. Correspondence/distance-learning courses and plain diploma courses are not covered.
What marks do I need? At least 60% in your Minimum Entry Qualification (Class 12 / Diploma / Graduation) for a fresh application. For renewal you must pass each academic year with at least 50%.
What is the last date? The exact last date for the current cycle is not confirmed here. Check the official notification on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Can I renew it? Yes. It is renewable each year for the duration of your course (up to five years), provided you keep passing with the minimum 50% marks and submit the renewal application on time.