Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Railway Protection Force 2026

This scheme supports the higher technical and professional education of children and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel who Read More... are below the rank of Gazetted officers. Read less

Details

The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a crucial initiative designed to support the educational aspirations of families connected to the force. Announced on August 15, 2005, and rolled out in the academic year 2008-09, the scheme aims to provide financial assistance for higher technical and professional studies.

What Is This Scheme?

The PMSS for RPF offers scholarships to eligible dependent wards and widows of both serving and retired Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel. It focuses on encouraging these students to pursue advanced technical and professional courses.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The primary beneficiaries are the dependent wards and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel who hold a rank below Gazetted Officer. This includes children of both serving and former personnel, as well as widows who meet the specified criteria.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This scheme plays a vital role in ensuring that the children and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel can access quality higher education without financial barriers. It acknowledges the service and sacrifice of the force by investing in the future of their families, promoting professional development and opportunities.

Objective

This scheme supports the higher technical and professional education of children and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel who are below the rank of Gazetted officers.

Benefits

1. The amount of the scholarship would be as follows:

(i) ₹2500/- per month for male students

(ii) ₹3000/- per month for female students

2. Letter from Hon’ble Prime Minister - All applicants selected under the new category will be given a personal letter from Hon’ble Prime Minister in appropriate language.

3. Duration of the Scholarship: Two to five years as per the duration of the course.

Note:The payment of the scholarship will be granted after approval of the DG/RPF as per order of merit in each year.

Sources and references

Guidelines (2022-23)

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

Applicants must be dependent wards or widows of Ex/Serving RPF/RPSF personnel (below the rank of Gazetted Officer).
Only students pursuing regular courses are eligible.
A minimum of 60% marks or an equivalent grade is required in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ), which could be 12th Std., Diploma, or Graduation.
The scholarship is limited to a maximum of two wards per family. Both beneficiaries and concerned zonal railways/RPSF must ensure this.
Institutions, universities, or colleges must have All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) regulations to be permissible.
Students currently studying abroad are not eligible.
Distance learning courses are not permitted under this scheme.
The scholarship can only be availed for one course per student.

Eligible Courses:

The scheme covers Professional Degree Courses such as BE, B.Tech, BDS, MBBS, BEd, BBS, BCA, MCA, B. Pharma, and others recognized by government bodies like AICTE, MCI, UGC, and NCTE. Master's degrees are generally not covered, except for MBA and MCA.

Minimum Marks Requirement:

At least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) is necessary for the initial scholarship approval. The MEQ varies by course:

Medical Courses (MBBS and equivalent): 12th Standard
Engineering (B.E., B.Tech): 10+2 / Diploma (for lateral entry)
Management/IT/Science (BBA, BCA, B.Sc. (Ag)): 12th Standard
Postgraduate Courses (MBA, B.Ed., MCA): Graduation
Integrated Law Courses (5-year): 12th Standard

Order of Preference:

In case of more applications than scholarships available, preference will be given in the following order:

Wards/widows of personnel who died in harness due to terrorist/criminal encounters or during election work.
Wards/Widows of personnel who died while in service.
Wards of retired RPF/RPSF personnel.
Wards of serving RPF/RPSF personnel.

How To Apply

Applications for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme are typically submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal.

Visit the official National Scholarship Portal website: https://scholarships.gov.in/
Register on the portal and fill in the application form with accurate details.
Upload all the required documents as specified by the scheme.
Submit the application form before the closing date.
For renewal applications, follow the prescribed procedure on the portal.

Documents Required

Applicants need to submit the following documents:

For Fresh Applicants:

Proof of Identity/Relationship: Service Certificate from the employer for serving personnel, or PPO/Discharge Certificate/Book for ex-personnel (Categories I, II, III, and IV). You can find the format for the Service Certificate at Annexure II.
Academic Records: Scanned copy of the mark sheet/Grade card for the Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) - 10+2, Diploma, or Graduation.
Identification: Aadhaar card.
Bank Details: Bank account information (Account number, IFSC code, etc.).

For Renewal Applicants:

Service Certificate: Latest Service Certificate issued by the respective offices for category IV (if applicable). The format is available at Annexure II.
Academic Records: Scanned copy of the previous class mark sheet/Grade card or proof of promotion to the next class, issued by the competent authority.

FAQ’s

What is the primary goal of the PM Scholarship Scheme for RPF?

The main objective is to encourage and support dependent wards and widows of RPF/RPSF personnel in pursuing higher technical and professional education.

When was this scholarship program initiated?

The scheme was announced by the Prime Minister in 2005 and officially launched for the academic year 2008-09.

Which professional courses are covered under this scholarship?

It covers recognised professional degree courses like BE, B.Tech, MBBS, B. Pharma, B.Ed, BCA, MCA, and MBA. Master's degrees are generally not included, except for MBA and MCA.

Can a student from abroad apply for this scholarship?

No, students who are currently studying abroad are not eligible for this particular scholarship scheme.

What is the monthly scholarship amount for male and female students?

Male students receive ₹2500 per month, while female students receive ₹3000 per month under this scheme.

How many students are selected for the scholarship each year?

A total of 150 students are selected annually. Out of these, 75 scholarships are reserved specifically for female candidates.

What minimum marks are required to be eligible for this scholarship?

Students need to have scored at least 60% or an equivalent grade in their 12th Std., Diploma, or Graduation (depending on the course) to be eligible.

Can one family send more than two children to apply for the scholarship?

No, the scheme limits the scholarship to only two wards per family. This condition must be followed by both the applicants and the RPF/RPSF authorities.

Is it possible to get this scholarship for a distance learning program?

No, the scheme does not permit scholarships for students enrolled in distance learning or correspondence courses.

How does the scheme prioritize applications if there are too many?

Priority is given first to wards/widows of personnel who died in combat or during official duty, followed by those who died in service, then wards of retired personnel, and finally wards of serving personnel.

What documents are needed for a student applying for the first time?

Fresh applicants need a Service Certificate (or PPO/Discharge Certificate), their MEQ mark sheet (12th/Diploma/Graduation), Aadhaar card, and bank account details.

What is the duration for which the scholarship is awarded?

The scholarship can be availed for the duration of the course, which can range from two to five years, depending on the specific professional program chosen.