PM Scholarship Scheme 2023 – Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria

PM Scholarship Scheme 2023 has been launched by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, to encourage higher and professional studies amongst the dependent wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles (AR), and State Police Personnel (SPP). The scholarship aims at providing financial assistance to those who protect the country. Follow this article for complete information on the PM Scholarship Scheme, dates, scholarship eligibility, how to apply for the scholarship, and selection criteria.

What is the PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?

The PMSS is an online scholarship programme under WARB, Ministry of Home Affairs. The scholarship targets the dependent wards or widows of the CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and SPP (martyred during any terror or Naxal attacks).

The scholarship grants 2,000 new scholarships every academic year in addition to the renewal applications to encourage the beneficiaries to pursue higher technical and professional courses.

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The scholarship funds are regulated under National Defence Funds. A total sum of INR 80,52,320 was disbursed among the 335 beneficiaries.

The PM Scholarship Scheme was introduced in the academic session 2006-07 and would benefit the wards or widows of AR & CAPFs only and granted INR 15,000 to boys and INR 18,000 to girls annually. From 2019-20 onwards, the number of scholarships has increased to INR 30,000 for boys and INR 36,000 for girls annually. Also, the dependent wards of State Police Personnel (martyred in any Naxal or terror attack) were also included to avail of the scheme’s benefits.

Distribution of the PM Scholarship Scheme

A total number of 5500 scholarships are granted per academic year. This number of scholarships is distributed equally between boys and girls. Under PMSS, 2000 scholarships (1000 each) are awarded to CAPFs and AR and 500 scholarships (250 each) to SPP.

A monthly amount of INR 3,000 and INR 2,500 are paid to the beneficiary girls and boys, respectively.

PM Scholarship Scheme 2023- Overview

PM Scholarship Scheme Important Dates

PMSS Eligibility Criteria

Interested beneficiaries must check the eligibility criteria before registering for the scholarship. Following is the list of eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled by the candidate to avail of the benefits of the scholarship scheme.

(i) Dependent wards or widows of retired/ in-service/ deceased CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and State Police personnel.

(ii) The candidate must be enrolled in any of the professional courses enlisted by the WARB.

(iii) The candidate must qualify for the MEQ (Minimum Entry Qualification). As per the officials, MEQ is an aggregate of 60% marks in the previous appearing examinations.

For the renewal category of applicants, qualifying each subsequent academic year with at least 50% of marks is obligatory.

Exclusions

The category of candidates that will not be considered eligible for the scholarship is:

• Wards of civilian employees of CAPFs, Assam Rifles and SPP.
• Applicants must be pursuing the courses via a regular institute.
• Applicants who have already availed of the scholarship before.
• Applicants who are availing of some other scholarship.
• Applicants get a stipend for their course.
• Applicants pursuing any Diploma course or a master’s degree course (except MBA, MCA).
• Applicants who are studying abroad.
• The institute must be UGC or AICTE-approved.

List of Eligible Courses

Under PMSS, only some of the professional degree courses are included. The candidates must complete the enlisted degree courses from the link provided at the end of the page.

PMSS Application Process

The interested beneficiaries must follow the procedure below to apply for the PMSS.

Step 1: Visit the National Scholarship Portal.

Step 2: The “New Registration” tab is provided on the page as shown. Click on it.

Step 3: A page regarding the Guidelines of NSP will appear. All the instructions and guidelines must be carefully read and checked in the declaration boxes and then continue.

Step 4: The candidates must register themselves as fresh applicants. Fill in all the details correctly.

Step 5: After successful registration, the candidates must log in to the same portal with their application number and password.

Step 6: Once logged in, the candidates must fill in their personal and academic details.

Step 7: The candidates must upload the scanned copies of the essential documents.

Step 8: Submit the application form for the PMSS.

Online Process Flow for Scholarship

After successfully submitting the application form, the university/ institute will verify all the attached documents, followed by CAPFs, AR, and SPP.

A merit list will be prepared based on the order of preference and the qualifying marks by the candidates.

The list of the shortlisted candidates will be forwarded to the R&W Directorate and MHA for sanctioning the scholarship amount.

The beneficiaries will be granted their scholarship funds via PFMS.

The Prime Minister will dispatch personal letters to all the selected beneficiaries.

PMSS Selection Criteria

The selection criteria for availing of the scholarship under the new category will be based on an order of preference and MEQ, as mentioned in the eligibility section.

(i) Order of Preference

(ii) Dependent wards of State Police Personnel died in terror/ Naxal attacks.

Important Points

• No rank restrictions from category A to E and for SPP.
• Under category F-G, the wards of the Assistant Commandant (local rank) can apply.
• The scholarship will be granted to two members per family.

Documents Required

The following list of documents will be required by the candidate to avail of the PM Scholarship scheme:

• Aadhar Card
• DOB Proof
• Academic Marksheets
• Bank account details

For CAPFs & AR:

(i) Service Certificate – H.O.O. issued

(ii)

For State Police Personnel:

(i) A certificate claiming the death of an SPP during a terror/ Naxal attack.

For Renewal

For CAPFs & AR:- Service Certificate – H.O.O. issued

For SPP:– A certificate issued by the educational institute.

PM Scholarship Scheme Guidelines

• The scholarship is implemented only up to the course duration of a maximum of five years.
• The scholarship is applicable only for the first professional degree courses.
• The candidate’s Aadhar Card must be linked to his /her bank account.
• If any application is found guilty of providing any false information, the candidate will be blacklisted from availing of any scholarship up to a tenure of five years.
• The scholarship amount is transferred to the shortlisted candidate’s account via the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) under the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) programme.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions