
Quick answer: The PM Scholarship Scheme on NSP is a central government scholarship for wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel, covering professional and technical degree courses, and it’s a distinct scheme from other similarly named “PM” scholarships that run through separate portals. Consequently, if you’re a child or widow of a defense or police services member pursuing higher education, this NSP-hosted scheme is the one to check first, rather than assuming every “Prime Minister’s scholarship” you’ve heard of works the same way.
Ex-servicemen note: The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for wards and widows of ex-servicemen and ex-Coast Guard personnel is handled separately, mainly through the Kendriya Sainik Board (ksb.gov.in) and the Zila Sainik Boards. This guide covers the CAPF and Assam Rifles scheme listed on NSP. Because notices change by year, always confirm the correct portal for your category in the latest official notice.
- The PM Scholarship Scheme on NSP is specifically for wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel.
- It covers professional and technical degree courses, not general undergraduate programs broadly.
- This scheme is applied for and tracked entirely through the NSP portal, like most central schemes.
- It’s a different scheme from other “Prime Minister” scholarships that may use separate application portals.
- Eligibility depends on the applicant’s parent’s or spouse’s service record, not income alone.
Who Is Eligible for the PM Scholarship Scheme
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Applicant Category | Wards or widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel |
| Course Type | Professional and technical degree courses, as notified under the scheme |
| Service Record | Parent’s or spouse’s service details must be verifiable through official records |
| Application Mode | Entirely through the NSP portal, alongside other central scholarship schemes |
Therefore, unlike category or income-based schemes, eligibility here centers on the applicant’s family connection to defense or police service, making service documentation just as important as academic and income certificates during verification.
Why “PM Scholarship” Names Cause Confusion
Several government scholarships use “Prime Minister” in their name, which leads students to sometimes assume they’re all the same scheme accessed the same way. Consequently, it’s worth being precise: the PM Scholarship Scheme covered here — for CAPF and Assam Rifles families — is processed through NSP, while other similarly named schemes for different applicant groups may use entirely separate application portals with their own eligibility rules. Always confirm you’re applying for the scheme matching your specific eligibility category rather than assuming based on the name alone.
How to Apply for the PM Scholarship Scheme on NSP
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Complete OTR on NSP if you haven’t registered as a student before. |
| Step 2 | Select the PM Scholarship Scheme from the list of available schemes. |
| Step 3 | Fill in your parent’s or spouse’s service details along with your academic information. |
| Step 4 | Upload service-related documents alongside standard academic and identity proofs. |
Use our free eligibility checker tool to confirm your course and applicant category align with this scheme before you begin gathering service documentation.
Documents Typically Required
- Service certificate: Proof of the parent’s or spouse’s service in the defense forces or police.
- Academic records: Marksheets and enrollment proof for the professional or technical course.
- Identity and bank documents: Aadhaar and Aadhaar-seeded bank account details for DBT disbursement.
- Widow-specific documents: Where applicable, documentation confirming widow status alongside the service record.
Expert Tips
Gather your parent’s or spouse’s service documentation early, since these records sometimes take longer to obtain than standard academic certificates. Additionally, if you’re unsure whether your specific course qualifies as “professional and technical” under this scheme, check the scheme’s detailed guidelines on scholarships.gov.in before applying rather than assuming eligibility based on your course name alone.
PM Scholarship Scheme via NSP — frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the PM Scholarship Scheme on NSP?
Wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel pursuing professional and technical degree courses.
Is this the same as other “PM” scholarships I’ve heard of?
Not necessarily — several schemes use “Prime Minister” in the name but serve different applicant groups through different portals.
Where do I apply for this specific PM Scholarship Scheme?
Through the NSP portal, alongside other central government scholarship schemes.
Does income matter for this scheme?
Eligibility centers mainly on the service record of the parent or spouse, rather than a strict income ceiling.
What courses are covered under this scheme?
Professional and technical degree courses, as specifically notified under the scheme’s guidelines.
What documents are most important for this application?
Service certificates proving the parent’s or spouse’s defense or police service, alongside standard academic documents.
Conclusion: The PM Scholarship Scheme on NSP serves wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel in professional and technical courses, and is distinct from other similarly named schemes on separate portals. Confirm your eligibility category carefully, and use our eligibility checker and status checker tool to track your application.

