PMSS scholarship eligibility criteria under the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs & Assam Rifles Personnel and State/UTs Police Personnel are provided in this article below.
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), a flagship initiative under the National Defense Fund, was launched in the academic year 2006-07 to facilitate higher technical and professional education for the dependent wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR) personnel.
In a significant expansion, this scheme was extended in 2019-20 to include the dependent wards of States/UTs Police Personnel martyred during Terror/Naxal attacks.
Scholarship Allocation Under the PM Scholarship Scheme
Each academic year, the PMSS grants 2000 new scholarships alongside renewals from previous years. Among these, 1000 scholarships are reserved for both boys and girls, maintaining gender equality.
Additionally, since 2019-2020, an extra 500 scholarships have been allocated to dependent wards of States/UTs Police personnel impacted by Terror/Naxal attacks, divided equally between genders.
PMSS Scholarship Eligibility
The eligibility criteria under the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for CAPFs & Assam Rifles Personnel and State/UTs Police Personnel are as follows:
Eligibility Details For CAPFs & Assam Rifles Personnel
I) Children or spouses of deceased CAPFs & Assam Rifles (AR) personnel who lost their lives during duty, including election duty; offspring of personnel disabled due to causes linked to Government service; and descendants of former CAPFs & AR members honored with Gallantry Awards.
II) Eligibility extends to children or spouses of retired or serving CAPFs & AR Personnel (below Officer Rank) pursuing their initial professional degree programs in fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, B.SC (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA, and MCA.
III) Criteria necessitate a minimum of 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) – 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent for new applicants. For renewal applicants, maintaining a minimum of 50% marks in each consecutive academic year of their professional courses is mandatory.
IV) In exceptional cases of delayed submission for renewal scholarship applications, a grace period of one year may be considered for applicants.
Eligibility Criteria For States/UTs Police Personnel
Dependent wards of State/UTs Police Personnel martyred during Terror/Naxal attacks can qualify under this category given the following conditions:
I) Pursuing their initial professional degree program in disciplines like Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, B.SC (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA, MCA, etc., aligning with the criteria specified in Paragraph 8 (B).
II) Meeting a minimum requirement of 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) – 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent for new applicants. Alternatively, for renewal applicants, maintaining a minimum of 50% marks in each subsequent academic year of their professional courses is mandatory.
III) Consideration of a one-year grace period for cases where there’s a delay on the part of the candidate in submitting the scholarship renewal application.
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What is the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) Under PMSS?
The minimum educational qualification under the PM Scholarship Scheme is as follows:
- To be eligible for the Scholarship under PMSS, an applicant should have secured a minimum of 60% marks in MEQ i.e. 10+2 / Diploma / Graduation as the case may be.
- MEQ for entry to various professional courses differs. For example, MEQ for MBBS is 10+2 whereas for BE/BTech, it is 10+2/Diploma. It is graduation for B. Ed and MBA.
Note: Wards admitted in 2nd year of technical/professional Bachelor’s Degree Course (BE/B. Tech etc) through lateral entry after completion of Diploma courses are eligible for PMSS.
Which Courses are Applicable Under PMSS?
Only first professional degree programs recognized by respective Government Regulatory Bodies are eligible, including courses like:
- BE (Bachelor of Engineering)
- B Tech (Bachelor of Technology)
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
- B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education)
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- B Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
- B.Sc in fields like Nursing, Agriculture, etc.
These programs should be duly recognized by authoritative bodies such as:
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- Medical Council of India (MCI)
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
Order of Preference: Who will be given priority (List in Order)
Eligible applicants in the Fresh category will undergo a shortlisting process based on the following criteria in order of preference and their percentage of marks attained in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ):
For CAPFs/Assam Rifles personnel
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Category-A | Wards/Widows of CAPFs & AR personnel killed in action |
| Category-B | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel disabled in action |
| Category-C | Wards/Widows of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel died for causes attributable to Government service including casualties during conduct of Election |
| Category-D | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel disabled while in service with disability attributable to Government Service |
| Category-E | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel in receipt of Gallantry Awards |
| Category-F | Wards of Ex-CAPFs & AR personnel (PBOR) |
| Category-G | Wards of serving CAPFs & AR personnel (PBOR) subject to availability of scholarship |
For States/UTs Police Personnel
In the case of State/UTs Police Personnel, dependent wards of State/UT Police Personnel who are martyred during Terror/ Naxal
attacks will be given the first priority under this scholarship scheme.
Conclusion
The PMSS Scholarship serves as a significant support system for the education of deserving candidates who have a direct connection to the sacrifices made by armed forces personnel. It not only encourages education but also honors the service and sacrifices made by the armed forces for the nation. Understanding the eligibility criteria and adhering to the application process is crucial for aspiring candidates to avail themselves of this beneficial scheme and pursue their educational dreams.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)?
A1. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is a flagship initiative under the National Defense Fund, launched in the academic year 2006-07 to facilitate higher technical and professional education for the dependent wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles (CAPFs & AR) personnel.
Q2. Who is eligible for the PMSS scholarship?
A2. The PMSS scholarship is available for:
- Children or spouses of deceased CAPFs & Assam Rifles personnel who lost their lives during duty, including election duty.
- Offspring of personnel disabled due to causes linked to Government service.
- Descendants of former CAPFs & AR members honored with Gallantry Awards.
- Children or spouses of retired or serving CAPFs & AR Personnel (below Officer Rank) pursuing their initial professional degree programs.
- Dependent wards of State/UTs Police Personnel martyred during Terror/Naxal attacks.
Q3. What are the academic requirements for the PMSS scholarship?
A3. For new applicants, a minimum of 60% marks in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) – 10+2/Diploma/Graduation or equivalent is required. For renewal applicants, maintaining a minimum of 50% marks in each consecutive academic year of their professional courses is mandatory.
Q4. Which courses are covered under the PMSS scholarship?
A4. The PMSS scholarship covers first professional degree programs recognized by respective Government Regulatory Bodies, including courses like BE, B.Tech, BDS, MBBS, B.Ed., BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, and B.Sc. in fields like Nursing, Agriculture, etc.
Q5. How are the PMSS scholarships allocated?
A5. Each academic year, the PMSS grants 2000 new scholarships alongside renewals from previous years. Among these, 1000 scholarships are reserved for both boys and girls, maintaining gender equality. Additionally, since 2019-2020, an extra 500 scholarships have been allocated to dependent wards of States/UTs Police personnel impacted by Terror/Naxal attacks, divided equally between genders.