PMSS for Wards of Martyred State/UT Police Personnel

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Police personnel play an important role in protecting the country and maintaining public safety, often putting their lives at risk while fighting terrorism and Naxal violence. To support the families of police personnel who sacrifice their lives in such attacks, the Government of India provides financial assistance through the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks. This merit-based scholarship supports the higher technical and professional education of their dependent children. Under the scheme, 500 fresh scholarships are awarded every academic year, including 250 for boys and 250 for girls. Selected female students receive ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 annually), while male students receive ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 annually). The scholarship is available for up to five years, depending on the duration of the approved course.

The original Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme was introduced in the academic year 2006–07 under the National Defence Fund. On 31 May 2019, the Government extended its coverage to include dependent wards of State/UT Police personnel martyred during terror or Naxal attacks, with effect from the academic year 2019–20. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through its Resettlement and Welfare Directorate, with the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) responsible for processing applications. The scholarship is funded through the National Defence Fund.

The main objective of the PM Scholarship Scheme for State/UT Police Personnel is to encourage children of martyred police personnel to pursue higher education in professional and technical fields without facing excessive financial difficulties. It covers eligible first professional degree courses such as BE/B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, B.Pharma, BBA, BCA, B.Ed., B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Agriculture, LLB, MBA and MCA, subject to the prescribed course and institutional recognition requirements. The scholarship amount is transferred annually to the selected student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

To qualify for the scholarship, the applicant must be a dependent child of State/UT Police personnel martyred specifically during a terror or Naxal attack. Fresh applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in the relevant Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which may be Class 12, a diploma or graduation, depending on the course. Students applying for renewal must secure at least 50% marks in each subsequent academic year. A maximum of two children from one family can receive the scholarship. A certificate issued by the concerned State Government confirming the police personnel's martyrdom during terror/Naxal violence is mandatory for fresh applications. There is no rank restriction for beneficiaries under this category.

Eligible students can apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) after completing the One-Time Registration (OTR). Applicants need to fill out the scholarship application, provide their educational and personal details, and upload the required documents. Applications are verified by the educational institution and the concerned State/UT authorities before being processed by WARB and the Ministry of Home Affairs. For the academic year 2026–27, the student application deadline is 30 November 2026, as listed on the National Scholarship Portal. Students can contact the concerned State/UT Home Department nodal officer or WARB, MHA, at 011-23063111 or email [email protected] for assistance.

Courses Covered Under The PMSS for Wards of Martyred State/UT Police Personnel

The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme supports students pursuing their first professional degree in approved fields. It does not cover every general undergraduate course. The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided a list of eligible professional courses in Appendix-I of the scheme guidelines.

The eligible courses are grouped below for easy reference:

Medical and Healthcare Courses

• MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
• BDS – Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• BAMS – Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
• BHMS – Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery
• BSMS – Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery
• BUMS – Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery
• BPT – Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
• B.V.Sc. & AH – Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
• B.Pharma – Bachelor of Pharmacy
• B.Sc. Nursing
• BNYS – Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences
• Pharm.D – Doctor of Pharmacy (scholarship is limited to four years)
• B.Sc. Optometry
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Engineering and Architecture Courses

• B.E. – Bachelor of Engineering
• B.Tech – Bachelor of Technology
• B.Arch – Bachelor of Architecture

Management and Computer Application Courses

• MBA – Master of Business Administration
• BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration
• BBM – Bachelor of Business Management
• BCA – Bachelor of Computer Applications
• MCA – Master of Computer Applications
• B.Plan – Bachelor of Planning

Other Professional Courses

• B.Sc. Agriculture
• B.F.Sc. – Bachelor of Fisheries Science
• B.Sc. Horticulture
• Company Secretary
• B.Sc. Biotechnology
• B.Ed. – Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Mass Communication
• Degree in Hotel Management
• B.P.Ed. – Bachelor of Physical Education
• BASLP – Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• Bachelor of Fashion Technology
• B.Sc. Microbiology
• B.Sc. Hospitality and Hotel Administration
• LL.B. – Bachelor of Laws
• B.El.Ed. – Bachelor of Elementary Education
• BFA – Bachelor of Fine Arts
• BFD – Bachelor of Fashion Designing
• BA LL.B. – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws

Scheme Benefits

The PMSS for Wards of Martyred State/UT Police Personnel provides financial support to the children of State/UT Police personnel who lost their lives in terror or Naxal attacks. The scholarship helps eligible students continue their higher technical and professional education without facing excessive financial difficulties. The major benefits are as follows:

• Girls receive a scholarship of ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year).
• Boys receive a scholarship of ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year).
• A total of 500 fresh scholarships are awarded every academic year, including 250 for boys and 250 for girls.
• Selected students can receive the scholarship for up to 5 years, depending on the duration of their approved professional degree course.
• The scholarship supports higher technical and professional education in recognised fields such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, management, nursing and agriculture.
• Scholarship payments are transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Students receive the scholarship annually after selection, helping them manage their educational expenses.
• Selected fresh applicants also receive a personal appreciation letter from the Prime Minister.

Selection Process

The selection of students under this scheme is based on merit and the fulfilment of eligibility conditions. After an application is submitted, it goes through verification by the educational institution and the concerned State/UT authorities. The Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs then process the verified applications for final selection.

Here is how the selection process works:

1. Online application: Students first submit their scholarship applications along with the required details and documents through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
2. Verification by the institution: The student's college or university checks the application, including admission details and academic records.
3. Verification by State/UT authorities: The concerned authorities check the applicant's eligibility and verify the certificate confirming that the police personnel lost their life during a terror or Naxal attack.
4. Checking by WARB: WARB, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, collects and examines the verified applications for further processing.
5. Preparation of the merit list: Eligible fresh applicants are considered according to their marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ). The prescribed eligibility conditions must also be met.
6. Final approval: The Ministry of Home Affairs processes the selected applications and sanctions the scholarship.

Number of scholarships: A total of 500 fresh scholarships are earmarked every year for the wards of State/UT Police personnel martyred during terror or Naxal attacks. These are divided equally, with 250 scholarships for boys and 250 for girls. The boys' and girls' allocations are separate.

What happens if two applicants have the same marks? If applicants have the same percentage in the merit list, preference is given to the ward of the junior-most personnel, meaning the personnel with lower earnings, as specified in the guidelines.

Eligibility Requirements

Students who wish to receive benefits under the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme must meet the following eligibility conditions. The scheme is specifically intended for the dependent children of State/UT Police personnel who lost their lives during terror or Naxal attacks and are pursuing higher professional education.

• The applicant must be a dependent child (ward) of State/UT Police personnel martyred during a terror or Naxal attack.
• The applicant must be pursuing a first professional degree course in an eligible field such as engineering, medicine, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, management, nursing or agriculture.
• Fresh applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which may be Class 12, a diploma or graduation, depending on the course.
• For students who passed Class 12 through CBSE, the marks obtained in the best five subjects out of 500 are considered for calculating the percentage.
• Students applying for scholarship renewal must pass each subsequent academic year with at least 50% marks.
• Students admitted directly to the second year of an eligible professional bachelor's degree through lateral entry after completing a diploma are also eligible.
• A maximum of two children from one family can receive the scholarship.
• Applicants are eligible irrespective of their marital status.
• There is no rank restriction for the State/UT Police personnel covered under this category.
• Fresh applicants must submit a certificate issued by the concerned State Government confirming that the police personnel was martyred during terror or Naxal violence.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload the required documents while submitting their application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The documents help verify the student's academic qualifications, family details and eligibility for the scholarship. The following documents are generally required:

For Fresh Applicants:

• Aadhaar card of the applicant.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Certificate issued by the concerned State Government confirming that the State/UT Police personnel was martyred during a terror or Naxal attack. This certificate is mandatory.
• Duly attested marksheet of the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), such as Class 12, diploma or graduation, depending on the course.
• Death certificate of the police personnel.
• Bank account details of the applicant. The bank account must be linked with Aadhaar for receiving the scholarship through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Disability certificate, if applicable.
• Any other supporting documents requested on the NSP application portal.

For Renewal Applicants:

• Certificate issued by the educational institution confirming the student's continuation in the course.
• Any additional document requested on the NSP portal during the renewal process.

Applicants should keep their mobile number and email address active, as these details are required for receiving application-related updates. They should also ensure that all uploaded documents are clear and complete to avoid delays or rejection during verification.

Steps to Apply

Applications for the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks are accepted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Students applying for the first time must complete One Time Registration (OTR) before filling out the scholarship form. Follow these steps to submit your application:

1. Open the National Scholarship Portal and select the Student section.
2. If you are a new applicant, choose the New Registration option. Read the instructions and scheme guidelines carefully, accept the undertaking and proceed.
3. Enter the required details to complete your One Time Registration (OTR). Once registered, you will receive an OTR number and can use it to access the scholarship application.
4. Return to the student section and log in using your OTR number and password.
5. Open the fresh scholarship application section and select thePrime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks (Merit Based Scheme) from the available schemes.
6. Fill in the application form with your personal, academic, bank and other required details.
7. Upload the required documents, including the State Government certificate confirming that the police personnel was martyred during a terror or Naxal attack, along with your academic marksheet and other supporting documents.
8. Review the information and uploaded documents carefully before submitting the application. Save or download the confirmation for future reference.
9. After submission, your application will be verified by your educational institution and the concerned State/UT authorities before further processing by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Scholarship Renewal Process

Students who have already been selected under the scheme do not need to apply as fresh candidates every year. They must submit a renewal application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to continue receiving the scholarship for the remaining years of their eligible course.

To qualify for renewal, students must meet the following conditions:

• The student must pass each subsequent academic year of the professional course with at least 50% marks.
• The student must continue studying in the approved course and institution for which the scholarship was sanctioned.
• For applicants under the State/UT Police category, a certificate issued by the educational institution is sufficient as the service-related certificate for renewal, as specified in the guidelines.
• Students must submit the renewal application and any other documents requested on the NSP portal within the prescribed period.

Renewal grace period: The guidelines allow a grace period of up to one year in cases where a student is late in submitting the renewal application. This is a limited relaxation and should not be treated as an automatic extension for every applicant.

Students should log in to the National Scholarship Portal, select the renewal option and complete the required details. They should also check the application status to ensure that their institution has verified the renewal form.

Important Conditions and Restrictions

Before applying, students should understand a few important conditions of the scheme. Meeting the academic requirements alone is not enough; the applicant must also follow the rules relating to the course, institution and other financial assistance.

• Maximum two children per family: The scholarship is admissible to a maximum of two children from one family.
• Regular courses only: Students pursuing professional courses through correspondence or distance learning are not eligible.
• No other scholarship or stipend: Applicants receiving benefits under another scholarship scheme, stipend or financial assistance are not eligible under PMSS.
• First professional degree: The scheme is generally limited to the first professional degree. Diploma courses that do not lead to a degree are not covered. MBA and MCA are permitted subject to the first-professional-course condition.
• Approved institutions: The course and institution must meet the recognition or approval requirements of the relevant regulatory authority. Engineering and medical courses must meet the specific recognition conditions mentioned in the guidelines.
• Courses pursued abroad: Students studying outside India are not eligible.
• Change of course or college: If a selected student changes the course or college and takes fresh admission in a subsequent academic year, the scholarship is liable to be rejected permanently.
• False information or documents: If an applicant is found to have submitted false information or concealed important facts, the scholarship may be cancelled. The student may have to refund the amount received along with interest and face further action under the guidelines.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Home Affairs (Nodal Ministry)
• National Scholarship Portal (Application Portal)
• Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks Revised Guidelines

Contact Information

National Scholarship Portal

• Phone Number: 0120 - 6619540 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on all days, except government holidays)
• Email Address: [email protected]