Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Eligible students can apply online on the National Scholarship Portal till 31 October 2026 and get monthly financial support of ₹2500 for boys and ₹3000 for girls.
This scheme supports higher technical and professional education of dependent wards and widows of serving or retired RPF/RPSF personnel. A total of 150 scholarships are given every year, and 75 of them are reserved for female candidates.
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force - Introduction
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force supports the higher technical and professional education of dependent wards and widows of ex-serving or currently serving RPF/RPSF personnel below the rank of a Gazetted officer. It was announced on 15th August 2005 and officially launched for RPF from the 2008-09 academic year.
Every year, 150 students are selected for this scholarship. At least 75 of these scholarships are reserved for female candidates to make sure of equal opportunities. Gender-specific quotas are not transferable. The distribution of scholarships is fixed across the Zonal Railways and RPSF units.
| Zone/Organization | Quota |
|---|---|
| CR+KRCL | 10 |
| ECoR | 06 |
| ECR | 08 |
| ER | 16 |
| NCR+CORE | 06 |
| NER | 06 |
| NFR | 08 |
| NR+JR RPF Academy+RDSO | 16 |
| NWR+Construction | 04 |
| SCR | 06 |
| SECR | 04 |
| SER | 10 |
| SR+ICF | 10 |
| SWR | 04 |
| WCR | 04 |
| WR | 10 |
| RPSF | 22 |
| Total | 150 |
Important Dates for 2026-27
| Particulars | Date |
|---|---|
| Application window opens | 1 June 2026 |
| Last date for application submission | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application verification | 15 November 2026 |
| Institute verification | 15 November 2026 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO verification | 30 November 2026 |
| First instalment payment (expected) | January 2027 |
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education and Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Benefit Amount | ₹2500 per month (boys), ₹3000 per month (girls) |
| Scholarships Per Year | 150 (75 reserved for girls) |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Railways |
| Implementing Agency | Zonal Railways and RPSF |
| Application Mode | Online (National Scholarship Portal) |
| Official Website | scholarships.gov.in |
| Last Date to Apply (2026-27) | 31 October 2026 |
Benefits
Selected students receive monthly financial support to cover their education expenses:
1. Male students receive ₹2500/- per month.
2. Female students receive ₹3000/- per month.
Selected candidates also get a special appreciation letter from the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The support lasts for the full course duration, which is normally two to five years, subject to approval of merit each year by the DG/RPF. For renewal, students need to score at least 50% marks in the previous year and apply again on the portal.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force, you should meet the following criteria:
- You must be a dependent ward or widow of an Ex/Serving RPF/RPSF personnel below the rank of a Gazetted officer.
- You must have secured at least 60% marks in your Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) such as 12th standard, Diploma, or Graduation.
- You must be a regular student of a full-time professional course in an AISHE-registered institute. Master's degree courses are not eligible except MBA and MCA.
- The scholarship is limited to two wards per family.
- You cannot apply if you are studying abroad or enrolled in a distance learning program, and the scholarship is valid for one course only.
For example, if Rahul is the son of a retired RPF official, he can apply if he is pursuing a B.Tech and has scored 65% in his 12th-grade boards. If his sister, Priya, is also studying in a professional degree course, she can apply as well, as the limit is two children per family.
| Professional Course | Required MEQ |
|---|---|
| MBBS and equivalent | 12th Standard |
| B.E., B.Tech | 10+2 or Diploma |
| BBA, BCA, B.Sc (Ag) | 12th Standard |
| MBA, B.Ed, MCA | Graduation |
| 5-year Integrated Law | 12th Standard |
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the official National Scholarship Portal. One Time Registration (OTR) is required to apply on NSP from AY 2024-25 onwards. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 - Go to scholarships.gov.in and complete the One Time Registration (OTR) using your Aadhaar details. OTR gives a 14-digit number which stays valid for your whole academic career. You can also generate OTR through the NSP OTR mobile app. See the guide to download the NSP mobile app for help.
STEP 2 - Log in with your OTR number and password, then select the 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways' from the Central Schemes section.
STEP 3 - Fill in the application form with your personal, education, and bank details, and upload the required documents. Review the form carefully before submitting it.
STEP 4 - Submit the form before 31 October 2026 and save the system-generated application ID for future reference. Your Zonal Railway office will verify the details. Once selected, the amount is paid directly to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account through DBT.
Documents
Make sure you have the following documents ready for your application:
For fresh applicants:
- Service Certificate for dependents of serving personnel (Category IV).
- Copy of PPO or Discharge certificate for retired personnel or widows (Categories I, II, and III).
- Scanned mark sheet of your 10+2, Diploma, or Graduation showing at least 60% marks.
- Admission proof of the current course, Aadhaar card, and bank account details.
For renewal applicants:
- Latest Service Certificate.
- Scanned copies of your latest mark sheets showing at least 50% marks and progression to the next academic year.
- Bonafide certificate from your current institute.
References
Check the official NSP page for Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways for the latest updates.
Download the official PMSS guidelines for Ministry of Railways (2022-23) and the detailed RPF guidelines (2024-25 onwards).
FAQ's
What is the aim of the scheme?
The aim is to encourage higher technical and professional education for the dependent wards of ex-serving or currently serving RPF/RPSF personnel and widows below the rank of a Gazetted officer.
When was this scheme launched?
It was announced on 15th August 2005 and officially started for RPF from the 2008-09 academic year.
Who is eligible to get the benefit?
Dependent wards and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel who are not Gazetted officers, with at least 60% marks in the qualifying exam.
What is the financial benefit?
Male students receive ₹2500/- per month, while female students receive ₹3000/- per month for the course duration.
What is the last date to apply for 2026-27?
The last date to apply for the 2026-27 academic year is 31 October 2026. Institute verification will continue till 15 November 2026 and DNO/SNO/MNO verification till 30 November 2026.
Is One Time Registration (OTR) required?
Yes. OTR is a 14-digit number created on the National Scholarship Portal using Aadhaar. It is required to apply for any NSP scholarship from AY 2024-25 onwards.
How many students receive this scholarship?
A total of 150 students are selected per academic session, with 75 spots reserved for female applicants.
What is the minimum qualification required?
You must secure at least 60% in your 12th standard, Diploma, or Graduation to be eligible.
How many wards per family are supported?
The scholarship covers up to two wards per family.
Are students studying abroad eligible?
No, students studying abroad or in distance learning programs are not eligible.
Can a student use this for more than one course?
No, the scholarship is strictly for one course only. Master's degree courses are also not eligible except MBA and MCA.
Which courses are covered?
Professional degrees like B.Tech, MBBS, B.Ed, MBA, and MCA are covered, provided they are recognized by AICTE, MCI, UGC, NCTE, or similar bodies.
How can I apply?
Complete OTR on the National Scholarship Portal and submit the application before 31 October 2026.