NSP PM Scholarship – CAPFs/Assam Rifles 2026: Eligibility, How to Apply, Scholarship Amount and Benefits

When you think about the families of India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, the first thing that comes to mind is their courage, discipline, and sacrifice. Behind every uniformed officer stands a family that holds everything together while serving the nation. To honour those sacrifices and support the education of their children, the Government of India launched the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and State Police personnel. This initiative ensures that the children of these brave individuals can continue their higher education without being held back by financial hurdles.

I’m Riten, the founder of Fueler, a platform built to help people showcase their work and get noticed for what they can do. Over the years, I’ve come across many families connected to the armed forces who work tirelessly to provide their children the best possible education. Understanding the power of an opportunity, I find scholarships like PMSS remarkable because they directly reward resilience and ambition while honoring service to the nation.

What is the NSP PM Scholarship for CAPFs and Assam Rifles?

The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the wards of CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and State Police personnel is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was introduced in 2006–07 to support the education of dependent children of personnel who are or were part of these security forces.

Through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), the scheme offers financial assistance for professional courses such as engineering, medical, dental, veterinary, management, and other technical programs. It serves as a small but meaningful gesture of gratitude to the families whose courage keeps the country secure.

Scholarship Benefits and Amount

The scheme provides a fixed monthly allowance to cover part of the educational expenses for eligible students pursuing higher education. The funds are transferred directly into the students’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

• For male students, the fellowship provides ₹2,500 per month.
• For female students, the stipend is ₹3,000 per month.
• The payment is made annually and continues throughout the course duration, up to five years, depending on the program’s length.
• The total number of scholarships is limited, and allocations are done based on merit and availability of funds.
• Renewal of the scholarship depends on the student’s academic performance; maintaining at least 50% marks every academic year is mandatory to continue receiving benefits.

This financial aid can be used to cover tuition fees, hostel charges, books, and other educational needs, helping students focus more on their studies and less on financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria

The PMSS comes with specific eligibility conditions to ensure fairness and transparency.

• The applicant must be a ward or widow of personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, or State Police personnel.
• Eligible categories include:
• Students whose parents died in harness or in service due to causes attributed to government duty.
• Students whose parents were disabled during service.
• Wards of serving or retired personnel from CAPFs and Assam Rifles with valid service certificates.
• The applicant must have passed Class 12 or Diploma or Graduation with at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination.
• The candidate must be enrolled in a professional degree course recognized by the Government of India, such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, or MBA.
• Students pursuing distance learning or part-time courses are not eligible.
• Only one child per family can benefit from this scholarship.

The scholarship offers equal consideration to male and female students, with special preference given to daughters of personnel as part of the government’s commitment to promote girls’ education.

How to Apply

The entire application process is conducted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Here’s how eligible students can apply step by step:

1. Visit the official NSP website and register as a new user using a valid email ID and Aadhaar number.
2. After registration, log in and select the “Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and State Police Personnel” under the Ministry of Home Affairs section.
3. Fill in the required details, including academic information, service details of your parents, and the desired course of study.
4. Upload all necessary documents, such as:

• Service certificate issued by the head of the CAPFs/Assam Rifles/State Police unit.
• Admission proof from the educational institution.
• Marksheet of the qualifying examination.
• Bank account details (must be in the student’s name and linked with Aadhaar).
• Recent passport-size photograph.

5.After submission, applications are verified by the respective service departments before being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval.

The merit list is usually released a few weeks later on the NSP portal, after which the scholarship amount is credited directly to the student’s bank account.

Important Dates

• Applications Open: Usually between August and October
• Last Date for Submission: Typically mid-November
• Verification by CAPFs or Assam Rifles HQ: November to December
• Final Merit List Announcement: January or February
• Fund Disbursement: March onwards

These dates can vary slightly each year, so applicants should keep an eye on updates from the NSP portal and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Renewal of Scholarship

To renew the PMSS benefits for subsequent years:

• The student must score at least 50% marks in the previous academic session.
• Renewal applications are to be submitted through the NSP portal before the deadline.
• If the student fails a year or drops out, the scholarship is discontinued.
• Any form of misconduct or disciplinary action at the institution can also lead to cancellation.

Maintaining consistent academic performance is key to enjoying continuous financial support.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates is purely merit-based and transparent.

• Priority is given to the wards and widows of personnel killed in action.
• Next preference is given to children of personnel who died due to reasons attributable to government service, followed by disabled personnel.
• The remaining slots are distributed among wards of serving and retired CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel based on marks in the last qualifying exam.

In case of tie scores, preference is given to older candidates followed by higher percentage scorers.

Documents Required

Applicants must keep these documents ready before starting the application process:

• Service certificate of CAPFs/Assam Rifles/State Police personnel
• Admission confirmation letter
• Previous qualification marksheet
• Bank passbook linked with Aadhaar
• Applicant’s photograph
• Caste and domicile certificate (if applicable)
• Identity proof (Aadhaar card)

Final Thought

The NSP PM Scholarship for CAPFs and Assam Rifles is more than financial aid; it’s a tribute to the dedication of India’s uniformed forces and their families. By supporting the education of their children, the government ensures that their service to the nation translates into opportunities for the next generation. If you’re eligible, don’t hesitate to apply, you’re stepping into a legacy of courage and commitment backed by education.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the NSP PM Scholarship?

The scholarship is for wards and widows of CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel who are deceased, disabled in service, retired, serving below officer rank, or gallantry awardees. Applicants must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with at least 60% marks for fresh applications and be enrolled in a full-time professional degree course.

2. What courses are covered in the NSP PM Scholarship?

Eligible courses include full-time first professional degrees like Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Law, Management, Architecture, Veterinary Science, and Agriculture in recognized and accredited institutions. Distance or part-time courses are not covered.​

3. What is the scholarship amount for NSP PM Scholarship?

Boys receive ₹2,500 per month and girls ₹3,000 per month, disbursed annually via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scholarship supports up to five years, depending on course duration.

4. How to apply for an NSP PM Scholarship?

Applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) with relevant documents such as service certificate, admission proof, mark sheets, and bank details. Verification is done by the respective service departments.

5. What documents are required for an NSP PM Scholarship?

Applicants need a CAPF/Assam Rifles service certificate, admission letter, mark sheets, Aadhaar card, bank details linked to Aadhaar, a recent photo, and proof of relation (like death or disability certificates).

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