- The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs and Assam Rifles provides scholarships to eligible dependent wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel.
- Selected girls receive ₹36,000 per year, while boys receive ₹30,000 per year.
- Every academic year, 2,000 fresh scholarships are awarded, including 1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls.
- National Scholarship Portal Phone
- Number: 0120 – 6619540 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on all days, except government holidays)
- Email Address: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
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Summary of the Scheme
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|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Wards of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) |
| Launch Year | 2006-07 |
| Benefits | Girls: ₹36,000/year; Boys: ₹30,000/year |
| Beneficiary | Eligible dependent wards and widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel |
| Nodal Agency | Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB), Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Online through the National Scholarship Portal |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs and Assam Rifles: Complete Guide
A central government scholarship of up to ₹36,000 per year for the children and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel pursuing professional degrees.
Check the deadline first: The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) listed 31 October 2026 as the last date for 2026-27 student applications. That date has already passed, so please check the NSP and the Ministry of Home Affairs website for any extension or a new schedule.
What is PMSS for CAPFs and Assam Rifles?
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme helps the dependent wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel afford higher technical and professional education. It started in 2006-07 and is funded through the National Defence Fund. The Ministry of Home Affairs manages it, and the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) handles applications.
It covers personnel of the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles. There is no separate quota for individual forces.
Key Benefits
- Girls: ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year)
- Boys: ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year)
- 2,000 fresh scholarships every year: 1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls, apart from renewals
- Up to 5 years of support, depending on the course duration
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through PFMS
- A personal appreciation letter from the Prime Minister for freshly selected students
- Open to students regardless of marital status
- A maximum of two children per family can receive the scholarship
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must be dependent wards or widows in one of seven categories:
| Category | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Wards and widows of personnel killed in action |
| B | Wards of ex-personnel disabled in action |
| C | Wards and widows of personnel who died due to causes attributable to Government service, including election duty |
| D | Wards of ex-personnel disabled in service due to a disability attributable to Government service |
| E | Wards of ex-personnel who received Gallantry Awards |
| F | Wards of retired Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) |
| G | Wards of serving PBOR (considered only if scholarships remain available) |
Other conditions
- There is no parental rank restriction for Categories A to E. Categories F and G are limited to eligible PBOR personnel.
- You must be pursuing your first professional degree from the approved course list (Appendix-I of the guidelines), at a recognised institution.
- Fresh applicants need at least 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (Class 12, Diploma or Graduation, depending on the course). For CBSE Class 12, the best five subjects out of 500 are counted.
- Students admitted directly to the second year of BE/B.Tech through lateral entry after a Diploma are also eligible.
- Children of civilian employees of CAPFs and Assam Rifles are not eligible.
- Correspondence or distance-learning courses, diploma-only courses and studies abroad are not covered.
Eligible Courses
| Category | Courses |
|---|---|
| Medical and Healthcare | MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BUMS, BPT, BSc MLT, BVSc & AH, B.Pharm, BSc Nursing, BNYS, Pharm D, BSc Optometry, BOT |
| Engineering and Architecture | B.Tech, BE, B.Arch |
| Management and Computer Applications | MBA, BBA, BBM, BCA, MCA, B.Plan |
| Agriculture and Related | BSc Agriculture, BFSc, BSc Horticulture |
| Science and Other Professional | Company Secretary, BSc Biotechnology, B.Ed, BMC, Hotel Management, BP.Ed, BASLP, BFT, BSc Microbiology, BSc HHA, LLB, B.El.Ed, BFA, BFD, BA LLB |
Pharm D is funded for four years only. Integrated ME, M.Tech and M.Pharm courses are funded for the first three or four years, as the guidelines specify.
Renewal Requirements
- Pass each academic year with at least 50% marks to continue receiving the scholarship.
- A one-year grace period may be considered if you delay your renewal application, but it is not automatic.
Documents Required
Fresh applicants
- Service Certificate (Annexure-A) from the Head of Office, for wards of serving personnel
- Attested marksheet of the Minimum Entry Qualification
- PPO, discharge certificate or discharge book (Categories A to F)
- Death certificate (Categories A and C)
- Disability certificate (Categories B and D)
- Gallantry Award certificate (Category E)
- Aadhaar details and an Aadhaar-linked bank account with Core Banking or ECS facilities
- Valid mobile number and email address
Renewal applicants
- Bonafide certificate from the institute or college
- Attested marksheet of the previous academic year showing at least 50% marks
- Service Certificate (Annexure-A), where applicable
Upload clear, readable scans. Requirements vary by category and by whether the application is fresh or a renewal.
How to Apply
- Open the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and select the Student section.
- First-time applicants must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) and read the instructions first.
- Enter your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) and an active mobile number, then complete verification.
- Complete Aadhaar face authentication using the NSP OTR mobile app and the Aadhaar Face RD service. Your 14-digit OTR number is generated on success.
- Return to the NSP homepage, choose to apply for a scholarship, and log in with your OTR number and password.
- Choose fresh application and select the PMSS for Wards of CAPFs and Assam Rifles scheme for the relevant year.
- Fill in your personal, educational, bank and parent or guardian service details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Check everything carefully, submit, and save your application ID.
- Your college and the concerned CAPF or Assam Rifles authorities will verify the application, and WARB will then process it. Keep checking your NSP account for status updates or correction requests.
Renewal: Log in with your existing OTR account, select the renewal option, and provide your previous year’s marksheet and other details.
Important Rules to Remember
- You cannot receive PMSS while already receiving another scholarship or stipend.
- Do not change your approved course or college after selection, as this can lead to cancellation.
- False information or fake documents can lead to cancellation, a refund of the scholarship amount with interest, and a five-year blacklisting.
- Your bank account must stay Aadhaar-linked for DBT payments.
Contact and Helpdesk
National Scholarship Portal
- Phone: 0120-6619540 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, except government holidays)
- Email: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB), Ministry of Home Affairs
- Phone: 011-23063111
- Email: secywarb-mha@nic.in
- Address: 8th Floor, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 110001
For help with service certificates, you can also contact the welfare branch of your force.