Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles

Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles gives money help to dependent wards and widows of personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles for higher technical and professional education. Applications for the academic year 2026-27 are open on the National Scholarship Portal from 1 June 2026, and the last date to apply is 31 October 2026.

This scheme, which started in the academic year 2006-07, is handled by the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is funded from the National Defence Fund. Around 2,000 fresh scholarships are given every year, divided equally between boys and girls.

Wards and widows of personnel from forces such as BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles can use the money for full-time first professional degree courses at recognised institutions. The payment is sent directly to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the DBT system.

Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles - Introduction

Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles aims to encourage higher technical and professional education for the dependent wards and widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel. Families of personnel who are serving, retired, disabled in action, killed in action, or have received gallantry awards come under this scheme.

For the academic year 2026-27, the application window opened on 1 June 2026 and will close on 31 October 2026. Students need a One Time Registration (OTR) number on the National Scholarship Portal before they can apply for this scheme.

Key Information

Benefits

Selected students get a fixed monthly amount for up to 5 years, based on the length of the course approved by the regulatory body.

Boys get ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year) and girls get ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year). Payment is made every year after verification of attendance and academic performance, so renewal depends on passing the previous year with at least 50% marks. In case of a tie in merit, female students are given top priority.

Eligibility

Applicants need to meet the following conditions to apply for the scholarship:

• Family background: applicant should be a ward or widow of CAPFs or Assam Rifles personnel, including those who died in service, retired, serving below officer rank, disabled in action, or gallantry award winners. Adopted and step children are also covered, and married daughters can apply.
• Course: applicant should be seeking a first professional degree in fields like Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary science, BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, Nursing, Agriculture, Law, MBA or MCA, in a full-time course at a recognised college.
• Marks: at least 60% marks in the last qualifying exam (10+2, Diploma or Graduation) for fresh applications, and at least 50% in the previous year for renewal.
• Family limit: benefit is limited to two children per family, and there is no income ceiling for this scheme.

Selection follows a priority order that starts with wards and widows of personnel killed in action, followed by gallantry award families, personnel who died in harness, disabled personnel, deaths linked to service, retired personnel, and then serving personnel.

Exclusions

The following applicants are not covered under this scheme:

• Wards of civilian employees of CAPFs or State and Union Territory Police.
• Students in correspondence, distance learning or part-time courses.
• Students already getting money help or stipends from other scholarships for the same purpose.
• Applicants who have already received support under this scheme in earlier years.
• Students in colleges not recognised by the UGC, AICTE, NBA or the Medical Council of India.
• Students studying in institutions based outside India.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. A One Time Registration (OTR) number is required on NSP before applying for any scholarship from the academic year 2024-25 onwards. Follow these steps:

STEP 1 - Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and click on the 'Apply for One Time Registration (OTR)' option. New users should select 'Register Yourself' and read the registration guidelines carefully.

STEP 2 - Enter the mobile number and generate the OTP, then verify it with the captcha. Complete the eKYC step using Aadhaar or Aadhaar enrolment ID (EID), and fill in personal details like name, gender, date of birth, parent's name and email ID.

STEP 3 - Once the eKYC is verified, the registration will be completed and an application ID with password will be sent to the registered mobile number.

STEP 4 - Log in with the application ID and password, then select 'Apply Fresh' and pick the 'Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles' option from the list of available schemes.

STEP 5 - Fill in general information, academic details, scheme specific details and parent's service details, and upload the required documents in PDF or JPG format.

STEP 6 - Review the complete application and click on 'Final Submit'. Once the application is submitted, no corrections are allowed, so it is safer to check every detail before the final submission.

Wards of State and Union Territory police personnel have a separate scholarship under this family of schemes. Check PMSS for wards of police personnel for those details.

Documents

Applicants need to upload scanned copies of the following documents while filling the form:

• Aadhaar card or other valid ID proof, and Aadhaar-linked bank passbook copy for DBT payment.
• Service certificate issued by the Head of Office (HOO) for serving personnel, or discharge certificate and PPO copy for retired or deceased personnel.
• Mark sheets of the qualifying examination (10+2, Diploma or Graduation) showing at least 60% marks.
• Bonafide student certificate from the college or university, along with the admission letter or fee receipt.
• Death, disability or gallantry award certificates as per the applicant's category, plus marriage and dependency proof for widows.

All payments under this scheme are credited directly to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the DBT system on the National Scholarship Portal.

References

Application form and scheme details: National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the parent department, visit the Ministry of Home Affairs official website. For application related help, contact the NSP helpdesk at 0120-6619540 or helpdesk@nsp.gov.in.

FAQ's

What is Prime Minister s Scholarship Scheme?

It is a money help program for wards and widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel who want to pursue a first professional degree in a recognised college.

What is the last date to apply for 2026-27?

For the academic year 2026-27, applications are open from 1 June 2026 to 31 October 2026 on the National Scholarship Portal.

How much money is given?

Boys get ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year) and girls get ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year), paid in one annual payment through DBT.

Can the scholarship be renewed?

Yes, renewal is possible for up to 5 years if the student passes each year with at least 50% marks and continues in the same course.

Which courses are covered?

Full-time first professional degrees like engineering, medicine, dental, nursing, law, BBA, BCA, pharmacy, agriculture, MBA and MCA are covered. Correspondence, distance learning and diploma courses are not included.

Is OTR required to apply?

Yes, a One Time Registration (OTR) number on NSP is required to apply for this scholarship. OTR can be generated using Aadhaar or Aadhaar enrolment ID.