The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) provides financial assistance for higher technical and professional education to the dependents and widows of personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, State Police, and Railway Protection Force (RPF). Eligible students must have secured at least 60% in their qualifying exams and be admitted to a recognized professional degree course like MBBS, B.Ed, B.Tech, or similar. The scheme aims to encourage technical education and is administered through the National Defence Fund, with specific quotas for different services.
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is one of India’s most popular central government scholarship programs. It is specially designed to support the higher education of wards and widows of ex-servicemen, ex-coast guard personnel, and serving personnel with disability or death cases. The scheme offers financial assistance for technical and professional degree programs, helping young students pursue their dreams without financial burden.
If you are looking for an educational scholarship that provides direct financial support, simple eligibility, and a transparent online process, PMSS is one of the best options.
What Is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) was launched to encourage professional and technical education among dependents of the Armed Forces, Police Forces, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The scholarship is administered by:
- Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB)
- Ministry of Defence, Government of India
It offers ₹30,000 per year for boys and ₹36,000 per year for girls, depending on the course and eligibility.
Key Features of PMSS
- Financial assistance for higher education
- Fully online application & verification
- Applicable for professional degree courses only
- Benefits available for up to 5 years
- Transparent, merit-based selection
It offers ₹30,000 per year for boys and ₹36,000 per year for girls, depending on the course and eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria for PMSS
To apply for PMSS, the student must.
1. Be a dependent of:
- Ex-servicemen
- Ex-coast guard personnel
- Serving personnel who died in service
- Personnel disabled during service
- Transparent, merit-based selection
2. Educational Requirements:
Minimum 60% marks in the qualifying exam
Admission must be in a regular mode (not distance learning)
3. Courses Eligible:
PMSS is valid for:
Engineering (B.Tech, B.E.)
Medical (MBBS, BDS)
Architecture
Nursing
Pharmacy
BCA / MCA
MBA / PGDM
Polytechnic Courses
Law (LLB)
Other Government-approved professional programs
4. Not Eligible For:
Diploma courses (unless part of integrated degree)
Distance education
Online courses
Documents Required for PMSS Application
To apply for PMSS, you will need:
- Aadhaar Card of student
- Proof of admission (Bonafide certificate)
- Marksheet of last qualifying exam
- Bank account details (Student’s name must match Aadhaar)
- Service Certificate or PPO of parent
- Death/Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photograph
- Identity proof of parent
How to Apply for PMSS Online
The PMSS application is done on the KSB official website. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) scholarship portal.

Step 2: Register as a New User
Create your profile using:
Student name
Aadhaar number
Mobile number
Email ID
Step 3: Fill the PMSS Application Form
Enter:
Personal details
Course details
Institution details
Parent’s service information
Step 4: Upload Documents
Upload clear scanned copies in required formats.
Step 5: Submit Application
After final submission, the application goes through:
College verification
ZSB/RSB verification
KSB approval
Step 6: Check Application Status
Login anytime to check:
- Pending status
- Approved status
- Rejected status
- Payment status
The Scheme is managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). As such, the students can know more about the eligibility criteria, courses covered, priority categories and can also apply online by clicking ‘PMSS’ on the horizontal menu bar of KSB website http://ksb.gov.in
Steps for PMSS Renewal
Renewal is required every academic year. To renew, the student must:
- Pass each year with minimum 50% marks
- Maintain regular attendance
- Not change course without permission
Upload:
- Marksheet of previous year
- Bonafide certificate for current year
Selection Process for PMSS
- Category priority
- Marks obtained in last exam
- Availability of seats
- Service background of parent
Categories with higher priority (e.g., battle casualties) get preference.
Important Dates for PMSS
- Applications generally open: August – November
- Verification process: December – January
- Final list and payment: February – March
Dates may vary year-to-year, so students must check the portal regularly.
Benefits of Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme
- Reduces financial burden for families
- Encourages higher education
- Supports dependents of brave armed forces
- Helps build skilled professionals
- Direct bank transfer ensures transparency
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is an excellent opportunity for students from defence and police families to pursue higher education in professional fields. With a simple online application process, transparent selection, and direct financial assistance, PMSS helps thousands of students build a bright future every year.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and want to pursue a career-oriented course, PMSS is one of the best scholarships to apply for.