Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles

Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) under the aegis of the National Defence Fund, was introduced 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.

Number of Scholarship

Initially 4000 Scholarships were sanctioned equally for both girls & boys under PMSS for each academic year in addition to renewal cases of previous years. The number of scholarships have been increased to 5500 (2750 Girls+2750 Boys) from academic year 2015-16.

Eligibility

• Wards/widows of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel died in harness/election duty, wards of personnel disabled due to causes attributable to Government service and Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel in receipt of Gallantry Awards.
• Wards/widows of retired and serving CAPFs & AR Personnel. (Personnel below Officer Rank)
• Pursuing first professional degree programme in the field of Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, B.SC (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA and MCA etc. in accordance with the guidelines as mentioned in Para- 8 (B).
• Having a minimum 60% marks in Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) i.e. 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent in case of a new applicant. Or For applicants applying under renewal category, it is mandatory to pass each subsequent academic year of the professional courses being pursued by them with minimum 50% marks.
• A grace period of one year only for cases, where there is a delay on part of a candidate for submission of application for renewal of scholarship may be entertained

Order of Preference

Applications received from the eligible applicants under new category will be shortlisted on the basis of the order of preference as mentioned below and percentage of marks obtained by them in MEQ:-

Note:-

• Wards of deceased CAPF/AR personnel will be considered for scholarship under Categories “A” to “F” as per their priority, even on the compassionate appointment of spouse/NOKs in CAPFs.
• There will be no rank restriction for the Categories A to E.
• The Wards of Assistant Commandant, holding Local Rank of CAPFs & AR (who are not entailing the pay benefits of Assistant Commandant and drawing the Salary of Inspectors) are eligible for granting PMS under category “F” & “G” also.
• This scholarship is admissible for only two children per family and should be ensured by the beneficiaries as well as by the respective CAPF & AR.
• The applicants irrespective of his /her marital status is eligible for PMSS.

Duration of Scholarship

One to five years (depending upon the duration of the course being pursued by the applicant and as approved by the respective regulatory body).

Amount of Scholarship

• Rs. 2500/-per month for girls. 
• Rs. 3000/- per month for boys.

Guidelines for the Applicant Applying online under PMSS

Before applying, the applicants should read the instructions/guidelines carefully as mentioned below:-

• Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ): For being eligible for the scholarship under PMSS, an applicant should have secured minimum 60% marks in MEQ i.e. 10+2/ Diploma/ Graduation as the case may be. MEQ for entry to various professional course differs. For example, MEQ for MBBS is 10+2 whereas for BE/B. Tech is 10+2/Diploma. It is graduation for B. Ed and MBA.
• Note: -
  
  • Wards admitted in 2nd year of technical/professional Bachelor Degree Course (BE/B.Tech etc) through lateral entry after completion of Diploma courses are eligible for PMS.
  • In case of applicant passed XII exam from CBSE, marks obtained in best of five subjects out of 500 will be considered for calculating the percentage of marks in MEQ.
• Courses applicable under PMSS :
• 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).
• Details of professional degree courses applicable for PMSS are mentioned in the detailed guidelines
• Scholarship for Integrated Courses - The PMSS is restricted to first Professional Degree Courses only. It is applicable for B.Ed but not for BA+B. Ed, also for LLB not for BA+LLB. In the case of integrated ME/M.Tech/M. Pharma, the scholarship will be given for the initial three/four years as the case may be.
• Bank Account
  
  • Aadhar number linked with a bank account is mandatory.
  • Applicant those fulfilled eligibility criteria and applying under PMSS must have an active and valid Account in any nationalized bank which has Electronic Clearing System (ECS)/Core Banking, to facilitate the transfer of scholarship amount directly to their account.
  • In case of minor account, the same should be converted into major account.
• Documents Required - Following documents in the respective category are mandatorily required to be submitted/uploaded by the applicant for applying under PMSS:-
  • Service Certificate to be issued by the H.O.O in case of serving personnel in the prescribed format
  • Applicants are required to upload duly attested scanned copy of the Mark sheet of Xth and MEQ mandatorily along with the following certificate which is applicable
  • PPO/discharge certificate/book (mandatory for category A to F)
  • Disability Certificate (mandatory for category B & D)
  • Death Certificate (mandatory for category A & C)
  • Certificate of Gallantry award (mandatory for category E)
  • Service Certificate to be issued by the H.O.O in case of serving personnel in the prescribed format
• Fresh Applicant
• For Renewal

Exclusions Categories of applicants NOT eligible under PMSS

• Applicants, those not belong to A to G category as mentioned under Column 4 (Order of preference). PMSS is meant forwards/widows of uniformed/combat CAPFs & AR personnel. Wards of even civilian employees of CAPFs & AR are not eligible under this scheme.
• Applicants pursuing professional courses through correspondence /distance learning.
• Applicants availing the benefit of another scholarship scheme/getting stipend and financial assistance.
• Applicants already availed scholarship under PMSS.
• Applicants pursuing courses, such as Diploma Courses, not leading to the award of a degree or pursuing master degree programme except MBA, MCA subject to first professional course.
• Applicants admitted on their own to the college/institute/university NOT APPROVED under UGC Act or not recognized by AICTE and not having NBA accredited courses (for Engineering Degree courses) or Not approved by Medical Council of India ( for Medical Degree courses).
• Applicants studying Abroad.
• Change of course/college by the Selected Student and get fresh admission in a subsequent academic year will lead to rejection of his/her Scholarship forever.

Payment of Scholarship

The Scholarship amount under PMSS from the academic year 2015-16 onwards for applicants selected under fresh and renewal categories is being credited/ transferred directly into the Bank account of the selected applicants through Public Finance Management System (PFMS) under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Programme of the Government. Submission of bank particulars including account number of the nationalized bank by the applicant duly seeded with Aadhar Number is mandatory.

How to apply

• From the academic year 2015-16 onwards, the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs & AR is being implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• All the eligible applicants need to apply online on the website of National Scholarship Portal (NSP) on or before 15th December of every year.
• Scrutiny/verification & confirmation of application by College/Institute/University to be done during 16 -31 December of every year.
• Scrutiny/verification & confirmation of application by CAPFs & AR to be done during 01-15 th January of every year.
• Processing for sanctioning of scholarship by R&W Date., MHA from PMO to be done during 27 January - 5th February every year.
• Disbursement of scholarship amount to be done during 16 - 28th February

For detailed guidelines, click here.

Source: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)