Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme 2026 provides financial support to eligible wards and widows of deceased or ex-service personnel of the Armed Forces for higher technical and professional education.
The scheme is managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). Selected students receive a scholarship of ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) |
| Implemented By | Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare |
| Managed By | Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Defence |
| Purpose | Higher Technical & Professional Education |
| Fresh Scholarships Every Year | 5,500 |
| Scholarships for Boys | 2,750 |
| Scholarships for Girls | 2,750 |
| Scholarship for Boys | ₹2,500 Per Month |
| Scholarship for Girls | ₹3,000 Per Month |
| Application Mode | Online |
What is Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme?
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) was introduced to encourage higher technical and professional education among eligible wards and widows of deceased and ex-service personnel of the Armed Forces.
The scheme covers approved professional and technical courses in areas such as medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, MBA, MCA and other equivalent programmes that meet the required approval conditions.
The scholarship is awarded through a merit-based selection process. KSB manages the scheme and processes the applications according to the prescribed rules.
PMSS Scholarship Amount 2026
| Student | Monthly Scholarship | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys | ₹2,500 | ₹30,000 |
| Girls | ₹3,000 | ₹36,000 |
The current scholarship rate has been ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls since Financial Year 2019-20.
The scholarship is paid annually to the selected student’s bank account through the prescribed electronic payment system.
PMSS 2026 Eligibility
PMSS is a specific welfare scholarship. It is not open to every college student. The applicant must fall within the beneficiary categories prescribed under the scheme.
- The applicant should be an eligible ward or widow covered by the PMSS rules.
- The scheme primarily covers eligible wards and widows of deceased or ex-service personnel of the Armed Forces.
- The applicant should have taken admission to an approved technical or professional course.
- The institution and course must meet the applicable approval requirements.
- Selection for fresh scholarships takes place on merit according to the prescribed criteria and priority categories.
Candidates should check the current PMSS guidelines for the exact service category, priority and course requirements before applying.
PMSS 2026 Eligible Courses
PMSS supports higher technical and professional education. The official scheme information lists courses and institutions such as:
- Medical courses
- Dental courses
- Veterinary courses
- Engineering courses
- MBA
- MCA
- Other equivalent technical and professional courses
The course must satisfy the approval requirements mentioned in the scheme guidelines. Students should not assume that every private or professional course automatically qualifies.
How Many PMSS Scholarships Are Available?
Under the existing PMSS policy, 5,500 fresh students are selected every year through the merit list.
| Category | Fresh Scholarships |
|---|---|
| Boys | 2,750 |
| Girls | 2,750 |
| Total | 5,500 |
Renewal scholarships are handled separately for students who continue to satisfy the renewal conditions.
PMSS 2026 Selection Process
Fresh PMSS scholarships are awarded through a merit-based process. KSB considers the applicant’s qualifying examination performance along with the applicable priority categories and scheme rules.
- Online application submission
- Verification of the application and documents
- Preparation of the merit list
- Selection according to available scholarships and prescribed priority
- Approval and scholarship payment
A student who submits the form does not automatically receive the scholarship. The application must satisfy the eligibility and verification requirements.
PMSS Priority Categories
PMSS follows prescribed priority categories while preparing the merit list. The priority structure is linked to the service and casualty status of the eligible Armed Forces personnel or family.
Because priority can affect selection when applications compete for the available scholarships, applicants should check the latest KSB guidelines rather than relying on an old category list.
PMSS Scholarship Renewal
Students who receive a fresh PMSS scholarship can continue to receive the benefit only if they meet the renewal conditions prescribed for their course and academic year.
Renewal applications require the student to maintain the required academic performance and submit the necessary information through the prescribed online process.
Students should check their renewal schedule and academic requirements on the official PMSS portal before the relevant deadline.
Documents Required for PMSS 2026
The exact documents can vary according to the applicant’s category and course. Applicants should keep the following records ready:
- Academic marksheet or qualifying examination certificate
- Proof of admission to the eligible course
- Bank account details
- Aadhaar or other required identity information
- Service or ex-serviceman related documents, as applicable
- Death or service-related certificate, wherever applicable
- Bonafide certificate from the educational institution, if required
- Other documents mentioned in the current PMSS application instructions
Upload clear documents and make sure the details match the information entered in the application.
NSP OTR for PMSS 2026
The National Scholarship Portal requires a One Time Registration (OTR) number for scholarship applications from Academic Year 2024-25 onwards.
OTR is a unique number that remains associated with the student throughout the academic career on NSP. Students should complete OTR before starting the scholarship application.
The NSP portal states that OTR can be generated using Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID, subject to the applicable process.
How to Apply for PMSS 2026?
The scholarship application is submitted online through the prescribed scholarship system. Keep your academic, identity and service-related documents ready before starting.
- Open the National Scholarship Portal.
- Complete the required One Time Registration (OTR).
- Log in using your OTR details.
- Find the applicable Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme.
- Enter personal and academic information carefully.
- Provide the required service or beneficiary details.
- Upload the documents requested by the portal.
- Check the application before final submission.
- Submit the form and save the application details.
- Complete any verification required by the concerned authority or institution.
Do not submit information from an old PMSS application without checking the current academic-year requirements. Scheme details and application instructions can change.
How is PMSS Scholarship Paid?
The scholarship amount is transferred to the bank account of selected students through the prescribed electronic payment system.
Students should keep their bank account details accurate and ensure that the account can receive the scholarship payment. Any mismatch in bank or identity details can affect payment processing.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme 2026 – Current Status
The National Scholarship Portal is open for Academic Year 2026-27. NSP currently requires OTR for scholarship applications.
The Armed Forces PMSS is managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board. Students should follow the current PMSS application instructions and eligibility conditions shown through the official scholarship system.
The current official DESW information confirms that PMSS continues to provide 5,500 fresh scholarships every year, with ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls.
PMSS for Armed Forces and Other PMSS Schemes
The name Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is also used for scholarship schemes covering other uniformed services. These are separate schemes with different beneficiary conditions.
This article covers the PMSS managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare for eligible wards and widows connected with the Armed Forces.
Students from CAPFs, Assam Rifles or State/UT Police families should check the separate PMSS scheme listed on the National Scholarship Portal instead of applying under the Armed Forces PMSS.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme 2026 – Official Links
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal | Visit NSP |
| NSP Student Login | Student Login |
| PMSS Scheme Information | View Scheme |
| Kendriya Sainik Board | Visit KSB |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme?
PMSS is a government scholarship scheme that supports eligible wards and widows of deceased or ex-service personnel of the Armed Forces pursuing approved higher technical and professional education.
2. How much scholarship is given under PMSS?
Selected boys receive ₹2,500 per month, while selected girls receive ₹3,000 per month. The annual amounts are ₹30,000 and ₹36,000 respectively.
3. How many fresh PMSS scholarships are awarded every year?
The current policy provides 5,500 fresh scholarships every year, with 2,750 scholarships for boys and 2,750 for girls.
4. Who can apply for PMSS?
Eligible wards and widows covered by the Armed Forces PMSS rules can apply for approved technical and professional courses, subject to the prescribed eligibility and priority conditions.
5. Which courses are covered under PMSS?
The scheme covers approved technical and professional education, including medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, MBA, MCA and other equivalent eligible courses.
6. Is PMSS available to every college student?
No. PMSS is a targeted scholarship scheme. The applicant must belong to an eligible beneficiary category and meet the course, institution and other scheme conditions.
7. Is NSP OTR required for PMSS?
Yes. The National Scholarship Portal requires One Time Registration (OTR) for scholarship applications from Academic Year 2024-25 onwards.
8. Are CAPF and Assam Rifles students covered under the same PMSS?
No. Separate PMSS schemes exist for CAPFs and Assam Rifles and for certain State/UT Police personnel. Applicants should select the scheme that matches their beneficiary category.
Conclusion
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme 2026 can help eligible Armed Forces families manage part of the cost of higher technical and professional education. The current scholarship is ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls.
Fresh selection is limited to 5,500 scholarships each year, so eligibility alone does not guarantee selection. Applicants should check the applicable priority category, course approval and academic requirements before submitting the form.
For the latest application process, students should rely on the National Scholarship Portal and the official PMSS information provided by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Kendriya Sainik Board.
