Ministry of Home Affairs has opened the online registration for the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2026-27. Wards and widows of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel can now apply on the National Scholarship Portal from 1st June 2026 to 31st October 2026.
Selected students get cash help every month while they study. Boys receive ₹2,500 per month and girls receive ₹3,000 per month. This money is sent directly to the student's bank account, so families do not have to worry about the cost of a professional degree.
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for the Wards and Widows of Central Police Force Personnel
The scheme started in the 2006-07 academic year. It runs under the Ministry of Home Affairs and helps the families of police personnel who laid down their lives or were disabled in service. The money comes from the interest earned on the National Defence Fund, which is looked after by the Prime Minister's Office.
The scheme now covers the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles. This includes BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and NSG personnel as well as Assam Rifles jawans. It helps their children and widows take up technical and professional courses like engineering, medicine, nursing, law, management and veterinary science at recognised colleges across India.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for the Wards/Widows of Central Police Force Personnel |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Sub Category | Scholarships and student finance |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Implementing Agency | Welfare And Rehabilitation Board, CAPFs |
| Application Mode | Online (National Scholarship Portal) |
| Application Dates | 1st June 2026 to 31st October 2026 |
| Tags | Scholarship, Wards, Widow, Central Police Force, CAPF, Assam Rifles |
Apply Online: Step-by-Step Process
The application process is fully online. Offline forms sent to the force headquarters are no longer accepted. Everybody has to apply through the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. This is the single window for the whole process from 2024 onwards.
STEP 1 - Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and click on the 'Apply for One Time Registration (OTR)' option on the Students page.
STEP 2 - Register with your mobile number and enter the OTP you receive. Then link your Aadhaar number to finish the eKYC process and complete the OTR. You will get a registration number after this.
STEP 3 - Log in to the portal with your application ID and password. Click on the 'Apply Fresh' option and select 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for the Wards and Widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles'.
STEP 4 - Fill in your personal and academic details in the form. Attach self-attested copies of all the required documents in PDF or JPG format, and click on 'Final Submit' before the last date.
STEP 5 - After submission, the college and the concerned force authority verify the application online. If everything is in order, the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board makes the final merit list and the scholarship is sent directly to your bank account.
The last date to submit the application is 31st October 2026. Institute and force verification goes on till mid-November, so students should finish the form well before the final date to avoid last-minute problems.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to wards, that is dependent children, and widows of Central Armed Police Force and Assam Rifles personnel who come under any of these categories:
- Deceased personnel who were killed in action or died during service.
- Personnel who became disabled due to action or because of service reasons.
- Retired or serving personnel below officer rank.
- Ex-CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel who received Gallantry Awards.
Students must have scored at least 60% marks in Class 12 or the equivalent exam for a fresh application. For renewal in later years, they need to keep at least 50% marks. There is no income limit, and married daughters can also apply. The scholarship is available for a maximum of two children from one family.
The course must be a full-time first professional degree like engineering, medicine, nursing, law, BBA, B.Pharma or veterinary science at a recognised institution. Diploma, certificate and distance learning courses are not covered. Students who are already getting another central or state scholarship for the same purpose cannot apply again under this scheme.
Amount of Scholarship
Students get the scholarship for up to five years, depending on the length of the course. The amount was raised from the 2019-20 academic year onwards. The help is sent on an annual basis directly to the bank account of the student.
| Recipient | Monthly Benefit | Yearly Benefit |
| Boys | ₹2,500 | ₹30,000 |
| Girls | ₹3,000 | ₹36,000 |
Every year the scheme gives 2,000 scholarships for CAPF and Assam Rifles wards, divided equally between boys and girls. The money reaches the student directly through the public financial management system after the attendance and results are checked.
Documents Required
Students need to upload self-attested copies of a set of documents along with the online application. Keep scanned copies of the papers listed below ready before you start the form.
- Aadhaar card or other identity proof.
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates.
- Bonafide certificate from the college or institute.
- Proof of relation with the CAPF or Assam Rifles personnel, like a death certificate, PPO or disability certificate.
- Fee receipt or admission letter of the current course.
- Bank account details of the student.
- Passport size photograph.
- Marriage and dependency certificate for widows.
- Gallantry Award certificate, if the parent or spouse received one.
- Service or discharge certificate of the personnel, as applicable.
References
Official Website - Ministry of Home Affairs
Official Website - National Scholarship Portal
FAQ's
What is the aim of the scheme?
The aim is to support the higher technical and professional education of children and widows of central police force personnel who sacrificed their lives or were disabled in service.
When can I apply for 2026?
Applications are open from 1st June 2026 to 31st October 2026 for the academic year 2026-27. The form has to be submitted online on the National Scholarship Portal.
How much scholarship will I get?
Boys get ₹2,500 per month and girls get ₹3,000 per month. This works out to ₹30,000 and ₹36,000 every year respectively.
Can I still apply offline?
No. Offline forms are no longer accepted. All applications are now done online through the National Scholarship Portal.
Which courses are covered?
Full-time first professional degrees like engineering, medicine, dental, nursing, law, BBA, MBA, MCA and veterinary science at recognised institutes are covered. Diploma and distance courses are not included.
What marks do I need?
You need at least 60% marks in Class 12 for a fresh application. To renew the scholarship in later years, you must keep at least 50% marks.
How many children from one family can apply?
The scholarship is given for a maximum of two children from the same family.
What is the last date to apply for 2026?
The last date to submit the application on the National Scholarship Portal is 31st October 2026.