India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — which include BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles and RPF — play a crucial role in safeguarding national security and maintaining law and order. The life of a CAPF soldier is filled with challenges: long duty hours, deployment in remote and hostile areas, and extended separation from family.
Because of these harsh service conditions, the education of their children often gets affected. To provide support and encourage higher education among the wards and widows of CAPF, Assam Rifles, and RPF personnel, the Government of India introduced the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) in 2006–07 under the National Defence Fund (NDF).
Later, in 2013–14, the scheme was revised with new guidelines to expand its coverage, streamline the selection process, and increase transparency. Today, it remains one of the most important welfare initiatives for the families of uniformed personnel.
Number of Scholarships Available
Each year, the Government of India provides 5,000 scholarships under PMSS. Out of these, 1,000 scholarships are earmarked for the Ministry of Home Affairs (for CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and RPF wards).
- 910 scholarships are allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs (CAPFs & Assam Rifles).
- 90 scholarships are allocated to the Ministry of Railways (for RPF wards).
Thus, every academic year, 910 fresh students from CAPFs/AR and 90 from RPF get selected for PMSS in addition to renewal cases of previous years.
Who is Eligible?
The scheme has specific eligibility conditions. Broadly, the following categories of students are eligible:
- Wards and widows of CAPFs personnel who died in harness.
- Wards of Ex-CAPFs personnel disabled due to causes attributable to government service.
- Wards of Ex-CAPFs personnel who received Gallantry Awards.
- Wards and widows of Ex-CAPFs / in-service personnel up to the rank of Subedar Major/Inspector (PBOR – Personnel Below Officer Rank).
- All candidates are eligible irrespective of marital status.
Order of Preference
Since the number of applications usually exceeds the available scholarships, an order of preference has been defined:
- Category A: Wards/Widows of CAPFs personnel killed in action.
- Category B: Wards of personnel disabled in action.
- Category C: Wards of Gallantry Award winners.
- Category D: Wards/Widows of personnel who died due to causes attributable to government service.
- Category E: Wards of personnel disabled during service (disability attributable to govt. service).
- Category F: Wards of retired CAPFs personnel (PBOR).
- Category G: Wards of serving CAPFs personnel (PBOR) — only if scholarships remain after covering categories A–F.
Note:
- There is no rank restriction for categories A to E.
- Wards of Assistant Commandants holding local rank but drawing Inspector-level pay are eligible under F & G.
- The scheme is only for uniformed personnel’s families; civilian employees in CAPFs are not eligible.
Courses Covered Under PMSS
The scholarship is applicable only for professional degree programs.
Eligible Courses:
- Medical: MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, B.Sc. Nursing, BPT, B.Sc. MLT, B.V.Sc. & AH, Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences.
- Engineering/Technical: BE, B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Plan.
- Management/IT: BBA, BBM, MBA, BCA, MCA.
- Others: B.Ed, LLB, B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Forestry, Biotechnology, Mass Communication, Fine Arts, Hotel Management, Fashion Designing, Microbiology, Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Physical Education, and more.
Important Restrictions:
- Only first professional degree course is covered.
- Integrated courses are allowed only for the undergraduate part (e.g., BA+LLB not allowed, but LLB alone is).
- Diploma courses and distance learning programs are not eligible.
- Students already getting a stipend or another scholarship for the same course are not eligible.
Academic Requirements
- Candidate must have secured at least 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ):
- For MBBS/BE/B.Tech – 10+2 or Diploma.
- For B.Ed/MBA – Graduation.
- For renewal, students must secure 50% marks every year.
- Students admitted through lateral entry (after Diploma) are also eligible.
Duration of Scholarship
The scholarship is given for the entire duration of the course as per regulatory body approval:
- 2–5 years (depending on the course).
- 1 year for B.Ed and B.P.Ed.
- For integrated courses like M.Tech or M.Pharm, scholarship is limited to the first 4 years only.
Scholarship Amount
- ₹2,000 per month for boys.
- ₹2,250 per month for girls.
The amount is paid annually after selection, directly to the student’s bank account through ECS/online transfer.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates must apply through their respective CAPFs or RPF formations/Directorates.
Application form can be obtained from CAPF units or downloaded from:
- Submit only one application for one course. Multiple applications will be rejected.
- Applications must reach CAPF HQ by 15th December every year.
- CAPFs scrutinize applications, prepare a consolidated merit list, and forward it to Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) by 31st December.
- Final merit list is prepared by WARB and forwarded to MHA by 31st January.
Applications sent directly to WARB/MHA by candidates will not be accepted.
Required Documents
Applicants must attach attested copies of the following documents:
- Matriculation certificate (DOB proof).
- Mark sheet of MEQ (10+2/Graduation/Diploma).
- Previous year’s mark sheet (for renewal).
- Bonafide student certificate from college.
- Certificate that the college is recognized by AICTE/MCI/UGC, etc.
- PPO/Discharge certificate/ID card of Ex-CAPF personnel.
- Family pension order (in case of widow applicants).
- Dependency/relationship certificate.
- Death certificate (if applicable).
- Disability certificate (if applicable).
- Cancelled cheque + photocopy of passbook (only in SBI/PNB).
- Declaration-cum-pre-receipt signed with ₹1 revenue stamp.
- Certificate from Unit Commander (for serving personnel wards).
- Two self-addressed envelopes with ₹5 stamps.
Note: Incomplete, incorrect, or late applications will be rejected. Overwriting and use of whitener are not allowed.
Key Instructions
- Only two children per family can avail PMSS.
- Students must inform WARB immediately in case of change of course, college, or address.
- If marks are given in grades, equivalent percentage must be certified by the board.
- If a student is found to have secured scholarship fraudulently, the amount will be recovered, and candidature cancelled.
- Final decision regarding admissibility lies with Joint Secretary (Police-II), MHA.
- PMSS is only for wards/widows of CAPFs/Assam Rifles/RPF uniformed personnel, not for civilian employees.
Why PMSS is Important
The PMSS is more than just a financial aid scheme. It:
- Provides financial relief to families of CAPF personnel, especially widows.
- Encourages higher education in professional and technical fields.
- Acts as a recognition of sacrifices made by uniformed personnel.
- Promotes gender equality, with slightly higher scholarships for girls.
- Helps wards of soldiers achieve careers in medicine, engineering, management, law, etc., ensuring a better future for their families.
