Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)

Complete Information for Wards & Widows of Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Coast Guard Personnel

The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is a Government of India scholarship programme intended to encourage higher technical and professional education among eligible dependent wards and widows of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and Ex-Coast Guard personnel.

The scheme is administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), Ministry of Defence and is funded from the National Defence Fund. The scheme was introduced from the academic year 2006–07.

🎓 What is PMSS?

PMSS provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing approved professional and technical degree courses.

The scheme covers fields such as:

• Engineering

• Medicine

• Dental studies

• Veterinary studies

• Management

• Computer applications

• Nursing and other approved professional courses

• Other technical/professional degree courses recognised by the relevant regulatory authorities

The Government currently provides 5,500 fresh scholarships every year, divided equally between boys and girls:

The number of fresh scholarships has been 5,500 annually since academic year 2015–16.

💰 Scholarship Amount

Under the current PMSS rate, the scholarship is:

👦 Boys

₹2,500 per month

👧 Girls

₹3,000 per month

This corresponds to:

• ₹30,000 per year for boys

• ₹36,000 per year for girls

The revised rates have been applicable from FY 2019–20. The scholarship is paid annually to selected students through electronic transfer to their bank accounts.

The duration depends upon the duration of the approved course and the applicable PMSS rules.

👨‍👩‍👧 Who Can Apply?

PMSS is primarily intended for eligible:

• Dependent wards of Ex-Servicemen

• Widows of Ex-Servicemen

• Dependent wards of eligible Ex-Coast Guard personnel

• Widows of eligible Ex-Coast Guard personnel

The selection is not simply based on marks. Applications are considered according to the prescribed priority categories and the student's marks in the Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ).

📚 Educational Eligibility

For a fresh PMSS application, students generally need to have:

1. Admission in the eligible stage of the course

Students taking admission in the first year of an eligible professional/technical degree course are considered, subject to the detailed PMSS rules.

Students already studying in the second or subsequent year are generally not eligible for a fresh scholarship, subject to provisions applicable to certain integrated courses.

2. Minimum 60% marks

The applicant should have obtained at least 60% marks in the Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ) applicable to the course.

Depending upon the course, the MEQ may be:

• 10+2

• Diploma

• Graduation

The exact qualification depends upon the course being pursued.

3. Recognised professional/technical course

The course must be recognised by the appropriate Government/regulatory authority, such as AICTE, UGC or the relevant professional regulatory body.

🎓 Which Courses Are Covered?

PMSS is intended for professional and technical degree courses.

Examples include:

• B.E.

• B.Tech.

• MBBS

• BDS

• B.V.Sc.

• B.Ed.

• BBA

• BCA

• B.Pharm

• B.Sc. Nursing

• Other approved professional/technical degree programmes

The detailed authorised course list should always be checked on the KSB PMSS portal, because eligibility can depend on the exact course, institution and regulatory approval.

Important: The scheme is not a general scholarship for every undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Students should verify their exact course before applying.

🎯 Priority Categories for Selection

Where applications exceed the available scholarships, selection is made according to the prescribed priority categories and merit.

The PMSS priority structure includes the following categories:

Category 1

Wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen / Ex-Coast Guard personnel killed in action.

Category 2

Wards of Ex-Servicemen / Ex-Coast Guard personnel disabled in action and boarded out of service, where the disability is attributable to military/Coast Guard service.

Category 3

Wards/widows of personnel who died while in service for causes attributable to military/Coast Guard service.

Category 4

Wards of personnel disabled during service, with disability attributable to military/Coast Guard service.

Category 5

Wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen / Ex-Coast Guard personnel who are recipients of gallantry awards.

Category 6

Eligible wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen (PBOR category).

The applicant's category must be supported by the prescribed service documents and verified through the appropriate Sainik Board/authorities.

📝 How Is Selection Made?

PMSS selection is based primarily on:

1. Priority category of the Ex-Serviceman/Ex-Coast Guard personnel

and

2. Percentage obtained in the Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ).

KSB prepares the merit list of eligible applicants according to the applicable scheme rules and available scholarships.

Therefore, simply meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.

📄 Documents Generally Required

Applicants should keep the required original documents/scanned copies ready.

Depending on the applicant's category and circumstances, documents may include:

Student Documents

• Aadhaar Card

• Matriculation/10th certificate for date of birth

• 10+2/Diploma/Graduation mark sheets as applicable

• Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ) certificate

• Bonafide certificate from the college/institution

• Bank account/passbook details

• Aadhaar-linked bank account details

Ex-Serviceman / Ex-Coast Guard Documents

• Ex-Serviceman / Ex-Coast Guard certificate

• ESM Identity Card

• PPO, wherever applicable

• Service-related documents supporting the priority category

• Part II Order / POR / General Form, as applicable

• Gallantry award certificate and supporting notification, where applicable

The exact document requirements can vary according to the applicant's category. Applicants should therefore follow the current KSB PMSS document checklist rather than relying on an old checklist.

🌐 How to Apply?

PMSS applications are submitted online through the Kendriya Sainik Board system.

Basic process

Step 1: Visit the official KSB website.

Step 2: Open the PMSS section.

Step 3: Read the latest eligibility conditions, instructions and document requirements.

Step 4: Register/login for the PMSS application.

Step 5: Fill in the student's and Ex-Serviceman's details carefully.

Step 6: Enter educational and bank details.

Step 7: Upload the required documents.

Step 8: Verify the application carefully.

Step 9: Submit/forward the application as prescribed.

Step 10: Keep the application/DAK/reference details safely for future correspondence and status tracking.

KSB's official information states that PMSS is an online process and that students can access eligibility information, course details, priority categories and application facilities through the PMSS section of the KSB website.

🔄 Renewal of PMSS

PMSS is not necessarily a one-year-only benefit.

Students who receive the scholarship may be required to apply for renewal for subsequent years, subject to the applicable conditions.

Students should therefore:

• Maintain satisfactory academic performance.

• Pass the required academic year/subjects according to PMSS rules.

• Submit renewal information within the prescribed period.

• Keep bank/Aadhaar details updated.

• Respond to any verification or information requirements from KSB.

For renewal, the applicable academic-performance conditions should be checked from the latest KSB instructions.

🏦 How Is the Scholarship Paid?

The scholarship is transferred electronically to the selected student's bank account.

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare states that the scholarship is paid through electronic transfer to the bank account of selected students.

Students should therefore ensure that:

• The bank account is active.

• The account belongs to the student.

• Aadhaar/bank linkage requirements are fulfilled wherever applicable.

• Name and other details are correctly reflected in the bank records.

• Bank account information submitted in the application is accurate.

⚠️ Important Points Before Applying

1. Check the exact course

Not every degree/course qualifies for PMSS. Verify the course against the latest KSB authorised-course list.

2. Check the admission year

Fresh applications are generally linked to admission into the eligible stage/year of the professional course.

3. Do not depend on old deadlines

PMSS application dates can change from one academic year to another.

Always check the latest notification on KSB before submitting an application.

4. Verify your priority category

The priority category has to be supported by appropriate service records.

5. Keep originals safe

Applicants may be required to produce original documents for verification.

6. Submit accurate information

Incorrect or inconsistent information can lead to verification problems or rejection.

7. Keep your application details

Save your login credentials, application/DAK/reference number and copies of submitted documents.

📊 PMSS at a Glance

The current scholarship amounts and 5,500 annual fresh-scholarship allocation are confirmed by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.

🔗 Official & Useful Links

🇮🇳 Kendriya Sainik Board — Official Website

Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB)

📘 PMSS — Introduction & Scheme Details

KSB PMSS Introduction

🏛️ Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare — PMSS

Official DESW PMSS Page

📝 PMSS Application / KSB Portal

Visit the official KSB website and select PMSS → New Application. Use only the application link currently displayed on the official KSB portal.

📋 PMSS Documents & Instructions

Visit the PMSS section of KSB for the latest document checklist, instructions, FAQs and application procedure.

🎓 Eligible Course List

Students should check the latest authorised professional-degree course list available through the PMSS section of KSB before applying.

🏦 Direct Benefit Transfer — Government of India

DBT Bharat

📢 A Note for Ex-Servicemen Families

The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme can provide meaningful financial support to eligible children and dependants of Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Coast Guard personnel pursuing professional education.

However, eligibility, course approval, priority category, documentation and application deadlines should always be checked against the latest KSB notification for the relevant academic year.

For the most reliable information, applicants should use the official KSB website and, where necessary, contact their Zila Sainik Board / Rajya Sainik Board for verification and assistance.

Save this information and share it with eligible Ex-Servicemen families, students and veterans' welfare groups.

Jai Hind 🇮🇳