The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is an important scholarship initiative for eligible wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel. The scheme aims to encourage higher technical and professional education. This page explains the major PMSS eligibility requirements, scholarship amount, eligible professional courses, minimum marks, renewal conditions and the application process in a simple format.
Table of Contents
What is the PM Scholarship Scheme?
The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) was introduced to encourage higher technical and professional education among eligible dependents of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel. The scheme is administered under the framework of the National Defence Fund and is associated with the Ministry of Home Affairs for the CAPF and Assam Rifles category.
The scholarship is intended for eligible students pursuing recognized professional degree programmes. Selection is subject to the eligibility conditions, available scholarships and applicable PMSS guidelines.
📌 PMSS at a Glance
- Scheme: Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)
- Main Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
- Purpose: Support higher technical and professional education
- Main beneficiaries: Eligible wards/widows of CAPFs & Assam Rifles personnel
- Fresh applicant minimum: Generally 60% in applicable MEQ
- Scholarship duration: Up to 5 years, depending on the approved course duration
PMSS Scholarship Amount 2026
One of the most searched details about the PM Scholarship Scheme is the scholarship amount. For the CAPFs and Assam Rifles category, the current amount mentioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs is:
| Category | Monthly Amount | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | ₹3,000 | ₹36,000 |
| Boys | ₹2,500 | ₹30,000 |
💰 Important
The scholarship is paid annually after selection rather than being deposited every month. The applicable amount should always be checked against the latest official PMSS/NSP notification.
PMSS Eligibility Criteria 2026
The PMSS eligibility criteria depend on the category of the applicant and the professional course being pursued. For the CAPF and Assam Rifles category, eligible applicants can include wards/widows covered under the scheme guidelines, including specified categories of serving, retired, deceased or disabled personnel.
Academic Eligibility
- The applicant should be pursuing an eligible first professional degree programme.
- A fresh applicant generally needs at least 60% marks in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
- The applicable MEQ may be 10+2, Diploma or Graduation depending on the course.
- Lateral-entry students admitted to the second year of certain technical/professional bachelor degree courses after a Diploma may also be eligible under the guidelines.
Family Eligibility
The scheme is not a general scholarship available to every college student. Eligibility is linked to the service category and status of the parent/personnel as specified in the official PMSS guidelines.
⚠️ Important Eligibility Note
Simply securing 60% marks does not make every student eligible for PMSS. The applicant must also belong to an eligible beneficiary category and pursue a course covered under the scheme.
Courses Covered Under PMSS
The PMSS guidelines cover eligible first professional degree courses recognized by the appropriate regulatory authorities. Examples include:
| Field | Examples |
|---|---|
| Engineering | BE / B.Tech |
| Medical | MBBS |
| Dental | BDS |
| Management | BBA / MBA |
| Computer Applications | BCA / MCA |
| Pharmacy | B.Pharm |
| Nursing | B.Sc Nursing |
| Agriculture | Eligible professional agriculture programmes |
| Veterinary | Eligible veterinary programmes |
The exact list of eligible courses and recognition requirements should be checked in the latest PMSS guidelines before submitting an application.
How Many Marks Are Required for PMSS?
For a fresh PMSS applicant, the official guidelines specify a minimum of 60% marks in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
The qualification used for calculating the percentage depends on the professional course. For example, the applicable entry qualification can be 10+2 for some courses, while Diploma or Graduation may apply to others.
🎯 Quick Example
If the applicable MEQ for a course is Class 12 and the applicant has secured at least 60% in that qualification, the academic minimum may be satisfied. However, the applicant must also meet the family/service-category and course requirements.
PMSS Scholarship Duration
The PMSS scholarship can continue for the duration of the eligible professional course, subject to the applicable rules. The official guidelines provide for a scholarship period of up to five years, depending on the duration of the course approved by the relevant regulatory body.
How to Apply for PM Scholarship Scheme?
Eligible applicants generally apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The application is then subject to verification by the concerned institution and the authorities specified under the scheme.
📝 PMSS Application Process
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
- Register/login using the applicable student credentials.
- Search for the relevant Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
- Read the eligibility conditions carefully.
- Fill in personal, academic and service-related information.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
- Complete institute and other applicable verification stages.
- Keep the application/registration details safely for future reference.
🌐 Official Application Portal
Applications for eligible PMSS categories are handled through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) when the scheme is open for applications.
Visit National Scholarship PortalDocuments Required for PMSS
The exact documents can vary according to the applicant category, course and current application instructions. Applicants should check the latest NSP instructions before uploading documents. Commonly relevant information/documents may include:
- Academic marksheet/certificate
- Admission or course details
- Student bank account details
- Aadhaar-related details where required by the portal
- Parent/personnel service-related certificate
- Disability/death/gallantry/service certificate, wherever applicable
- Institution verification details
⚠️ Don't Upload Random Documents
Only upload documents requested by the official application portal and applicable to your category. Requirements can change between application cycles.
PMSS Renewal Rules
Students who have already received PMSS may need to apply for renewal for subsequent academic years. The official guidelines state that renewal applicants are required to pass each subsequent academic year of the professional course with the applicable minimum requirement, including 50% marks under the stated PMSS guideline.
🔄 Remember
Fresh application and renewal are not the same. A student already receiving PMSS should follow the renewal instructions and deadlines shown on the official scholarship portal.
Important Points About PM Scholarship Scheme
- PMSS is not a general scholarship for all students.
- Eligibility depends on the beneficiary category defined under the scheme.
- Fresh applicants generally need 60% marks in the applicable MEQ.
- The scholarship is intended for eligible professional degree courses.
- Renewal has separate academic requirements.
- Only the number of scholarships approved under the scheme are available for fresh applicants.
- Applicants should use the official scholarship portal and follow the latest notification.
- Do not rely on old scholarship amounts or old application dates without checking the current notification.
Key Takeaways
- Scheme: Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)
- Purpose: Encourage higher technical and professional education
- Fresh applicant: Generally 60% in applicable MEQ
- Girls: ₹3,000 per month under the CAPF/AR category
- Boys: ₹2,500 per month under the CAPF/AR category
- Duration: Up to 5 years depending on eligible course duration
- Application: Online through the National Scholarship Portal when applications are open
Official Information
Students should always verify the latest PMSS notification, eligibility conditions and application dates from official Government sources before applying.
The Ministry of Home Affairs provides the PMSS guidelines and related information for the CAPF and Assam Rifles category.
View Ministry of Home Affairs InformationFrequently Asked Questions About PMSS
1. What is PMSS?
PMSS stands for Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme. It supports eligible students pursuing higher technical and professional education under the specified beneficiary categories.
2. What is the PMSS scholarship amount for girls?
For the CAPF and Assam Rifles category, the scholarship amount for girls is ₹3,000 per month, equivalent to ₹36,000 annually.
3. What is the PMSS scholarship amount for boys?
For the CAPF and Assam Rifles category, the scholarship amount for boys is ₹2,500 per month, equivalent to ₹30,000 annually.
4. What is the minimum percentage for a fresh PMSS applicant?
The PMSS guidelines specify a minimum of 60% marks in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification for a fresh applicant.
5. Can PMSS be renewed every year?
Eligible students can apply for renewal subject to the applicable PMSS renewal rules and academic performance requirements.
6. Is PMSS available for every college course?
No. PMSS is intended for eligible professional degree courses covered by the scheme guidelines. The course must meet the applicable recognition and eligibility conditions.
7. Can every student apply for PM Scholarship?
No. PMSS is not a general scholarship for every student. Applicants must belong to an eligible beneficiary category and meet the academic and course requirements.
8. Where can I apply for PMSS?
Eligible applicants can apply through the National Scholarship Portal when the relevant PMSS application window is open.
Selection Pro Scholarship Guide
Information reviewed for the August 2026 page update. Always verify the latest application notice before applying.