Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Higher education can involve significant expenses, especially when students choose professional or technical courses. To support the education of families connected with the Railway Protection Force, the Government provides scholarship assistance through the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways, commonly known as PMSS for RPF/RPSF. The scheme is meant for eligible wards and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel below the rank of Gazetted Officer. It provides ₹2,500 per month to selected male students and ₹3,000 per month to selected female students. The scholarship is generally available for 2 to 5 years, depending on the duration of the eligible course.

Each academic session, 150 fresh scholarships are earmarked under the scheme, with 75 scholarships reserved for female candidates. Selection is based on the prescribed eligibility conditions, category preference and merit in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ). The scheme covers recognised professional and technical courses, helping eligible students continue their higher education with financial support.

The scheme was introduced for the RPF from the academic year 2008-09 under the broader Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme funded through the National Defence Fund. Its main objective is to encourage higher technical and professional education among eligible dependants of RPF/RPSF personnel and widows. The scheme is administered through the Security Directorate of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, with applications and verification processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

To apply, a fresh applicant generally needs at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the required Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ). Depending on the course, the MEQ may be Class 12, Polytechnic Diploma or Graduation. Eligible courses include B.E./B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, B.Pharm, B.Sc Nursing, BBA, BCA, B.Ed, LLB, MBA and MCA, subject to scheme rules. Distance/correspondence courses, study abroad and Master's courses other than permitted MBA and MCA are not covered.

Selection is based on both category preference and merit. Priority is given to eligible wards/widows of personnel who died in specified circumstances, followed by wards of personnel who died while in service, retired personnel and serving personnel. Within each category, MEQ marks are considered. A maximum of two wards from one family can receive the scholarship, subject to the scheme conditions.

Students looking for other higher-education scholarship opportunities can also explore the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS), which provides financial assistance to eligible meritorious students pursuing regular higher education. Students from the North Eastern Region may also find the Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme relevant, subject to its separate eligibility conditions. These schemes are different from PMSS for RPF/RPSF, so students should check the eligibility requirements before applying.

Scheme Benefits

The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways provides financial support to eligible wards and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel pursuing approved professional and technical courses. The main benefits include:

• Selected male students receive a scholarship of ₹2,500 per month.
• Selected female students receive a scholarship of ₹3,000 per month.
• The scholarship is provided for 2 to 5 years, depending on the duration of the eligible course.
• 150 fresh scholarships are available each academic session, including 75 scholarships for female candidates.
• The scheme supports a wide range of approved professional and technical courses, including engineering, medical, management, computer applications, law and education courses.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account through DBT/PFMS after the prescribed verification and selection process.
• Up to two wards from one family can receive the scholarship, subject to the scheme's eligibility conditions.

For example, a selected female student receiving ₹3,000 per month for four years can receive up to ₹1.44 lakh over the course period, subject to annual renewal and continued eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

Students should meet the family, academic and course-related conditions before applying for the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways. The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The applicant must be a dependent ward or eligible widow of RPF/RPSF personnel below the rank of Gazetted Officer.
• The parent or personnel may be serving, retired or deceased, subject to the category conditions prescribed under the scheme.
• The student must have taken regular admission in the first year of an eligible professional or technical course in the relevant academic year.
• For a fresh application, the student must have secured at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ).
• The MEQ may be Class 12, a Polytechnic Diploma or Graduation, depending on the course.
• For lateral-entry B.E./B.Tech, the required MEQ is the relevant Polytechnic Diploma, with at least 60% marks.
• The course must be included in the list of eligible courses under the scheme and recognised by the relevant regulatory authority.
• The college, institute or university must meet the prescribed eligibility and registration requirements, including having an AISHE code.
• The scholarship can be availed for one eligible course only.
• Distance learning, correspondence courses and study-abroad programmes are not eligible.
• Master's degree courses are generally not covered, except for the specifically eligible MBA and MCA courses.
• A maximum of two wards from one family can receive the scholarship under the scheme.
• The current Railway PMSS guidelines do not specify a separate family-income ceiling.
• The current guidelines do not specify a separate age limit for applicants.

Who Gets Preference Under Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for for RPF/RPSF?

Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways for RPF/RPSF is a merit-based scholarship, but selection also follows a prescribed order of preference. If the number of eligible applications is higher than the available scholarships, candidates are considered category-wise before merit is compared within the relevant category.

After applying this priority order, merit is considered using the marks obtained in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ). Therefore, securing the minimum 60% marks makes a student eligible to be considered, but it does not by itself guarantee selection.

Eligible Courses Under Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways

The scholarship covers selected professional and technical courses recognised by the relevant regulatory authorities. The required Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) depends on the course, so students should check the approved course list before applying.

The official guidelines contain the complete list of approved courses and their prescribed duration. Students should refer to the latest guidelines before selecting a course in the NSP application.

Courses Not Covered Under the Scholarship

Not every higher-education course qualifies for Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways. The following categories are specifically excluded under the scheme conditions:

• Distance-learning and correspondence courses.
• Courses pursued outside India.
• Master's degree courses other than the specifically permitted MBA and MCA.
• Courses that are not included in the approved PMSS course list.
• Courses that do not meet the prescribed recognition or regulatory requirements.

Students should check the approved course list before submitting the application because selecting an ineligible course can affect the verification and selection process.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the required documents ready before starting the application on the National Scholarship Portal. The documents may vary slightly depending on whether the application is fresh or for renewal.

• Service Certificate of the RPF/RPSF parent for eligible serving personnel.
• PPO, discharge certificate or other prescribed service-related document for applicants under the applicable retired or deceased personnel categories.
• Marksheet or grade card of the Minimum Entry Qualification, such as Class 12, Polytechnic Diploma or Graduation, as applicable to the course.
• Previous year or semester marksheet for renewal applications.
• College or institute certificate confirming continuation or promotion to the next class or year for renewal.
• Aadhaar details required for the NSP One-Time Registration and scholarship payment process.
• Details of the Aadhaar-seeded bank account for receiving the scholarship through DBT.
• Any other document specifically requested by the National Scholarship Portal or the verifying authority during the application process.

Steps to Apply

Applying for the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways is an online process. Students need to complete the One-Time Registration, select the correct Railway scholarship scheme on the National Scholarship Portal and submit the application after checking their details and documents.

• Start by opening the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). From the homepage, use the student section to access the scholarship application services.
• If you are applying for the first time, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process using the details required by NSP. Keep your Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID and an active mobile number ready for the registration process.
• After generating the OTR, use it to access the scholarship application section on NSP and sign in with the required login details.
• In the scholarship selection section, look for Prime Minister'S Scholarship Scheme For Ministry Of Railways (Merit Based Scheme) under the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).
• Enter your personal, academic and other required information carefully. The details should match your official records and the documents you will submit.
• Upload the documents applicable to your category, such as the RPF/RPSF service-related document and the marksheet or grade card for the Minimum Entry Qualification.
• Review the complete application before submitting it. Pay particular attention to your marks, course details, bank information and RPF/RPSF personnel details because errors can affect verification.
• Submit the application online and save the application details or acknowledgement for future reference.
• After submission, the application goes through the prescribed verification process. The institute first checks the academic and admission details, followed by verification at the appropriate Railway/RPF level.
• Keep checking the application status on NSP for any defect, correction request or verification update. If a defect is raised, make the required correction within the permitted period.

How Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways Selection and Merit List Are Prepared

PMSS selection is based on eligibility, category preference and merit, not just the minimum 60% marks.

• Applications are verified for eligibility, documents and course details.
• Eligible candidates are considered in the Category I to IV preference order.
• Within each category, merit is based on marks in the applicable Minimum Entry Qualification.
• Selection is made against the prescribed zonal and gender-wise quota of 150 fresh scholarships, including 75 for female and 75 for male candidates.
• If a zonal quota remains vacant, eligible candidates from other Railways may be considered through the prescribed combined merit process, subject to the gender quota.
• After the prescribed Railway/RPF verification and selection process, the scholarship is sanctioned for payment.

Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Ministry of Railways Renewal Process

Receiving the scholarship in the first year does not mean that it will continue automatically. Students must apply for renewal each year and continue to meet the academic and course-related conditions.

• Use the National Scholarship Portal to submit the renewal application for the next academic year.
• Use the OTR and other details required by NSP for the renewal process.
• Provide the previous year's or latest semester's marksheet or result as required.
• Submit the prescribed college or institute certificate confirming continuation or promotion to the next class or year.
• Provide an updated service certificate where it is applicable to the student's category.
• The student must pass the current class or academic year and continue the approved course.
• Further scholarship support can stop if the student fails to qualify for promotion, discontinues the course or becomes otherwise ineligible under the scheme.

Students should complete the renewal application within the NSP timeline every year instead of assuming that renewal will happen automatically.

PMSS 2026-27 Last Date and Important Dates

Students applying for PMSS for the 2026-27 academic year should complete each stage within the timeline shown on the National Scholarship Portal. The current NSP schedule is:

These dates are based on the current 2026-27 NSP schedule. Students should check the live NSP timeline before submitting an application because application and verification dates can be updated by the authorities.

Relevant Links

• Website of RPF, Ministry of Railways
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
• PMSS for RPF/RPSF – Detailed Guidelines
• PMSS Guidelines for 2024-25 and onwards
• NSP – All Scholarships Page

Contact Information

For queries related to the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for RPF/RPSF, applicants can contact the Security Directorate, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways using the details provided in the official scheme guidelines.

Security Directorate, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways

• Contact Person: Mr. Ajeet Singh, Section Officer/Sec (Spl.)
• Phone: 011-23303283, 011-23041532
• Railway Phone: 030-43283
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Security Directorate, Railway Board, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi