Central Government Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme: ₹3,000 a Month for Ex-Servicemen’s Children

11 November 2026, 10:54 AM • Harish Sharma • Category: All India Schemes

📌 Key information

News: Central Government Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme: ₹3,000 a Month for Ex-Servicemen’s Children
Date: 11 November 2026, 10:54 AM
Author: Harish Sharma
Category: All India Schemes
Source: See the official portal for details — the link is inside the story.

If the children of ex-servicemen are studying in a professional course, the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is for them. It is a scheme of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), run under the Ministry of Defence. A selected student gets from ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 a month. Every year 5,500 scholarships are given. The scheme has been running since 2006-07 and is funded from the National Defence Fund. Its aim is that the children of soldiers should not miss out on higher education for want of money.

How much money is given

The PMSS pays as follows.

Girls: ₹3,000 a month — ₹36,000 a year.
Boys: ₹2,500 a month — ₹30,000 a year.
Number: 5,500 scholarships a year — 2,750 for boys and 2,750 for girls.
Payment — the amount is paid once a year directly into the bank account.
Duration — for the full duration of the course, with yearly renewal.
Income limit — there is no family income limit.

These are the increased rates from 2019-20. Earlier, boys got ₹24,000 a year and girls got ₹27,000 a year.

Who can apply

This scholarship is for the families of ex-servicemen.

The applicant must be a dependent ward or widow of an ex-serviceman (Army, Navy or Air Force) or ex-Coast Guard personnel.
The applicant must have taken admission in the first year of a professional or technical course — such as medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, MBA or MCA. The course must be approved by AICTE or UGC.
60% or more marks in the Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ) — 10+2, diploma or graduation, whichever applies.
A maximum of 2 wards per ex-serviceman family can get this scholarship.
Wards of civilians and para-military personnel do not get it through this KSB route — there is a separate route under the Ministry of Home Affairs for them.

How to apply

Applications are made online only, on the ksb.gov.in portal. Applications for 2026-27 opened on 1 August 2026 and can be submitted till 31 December 2026. Before applying, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) and face authentication on the NSP app. Attach academic certificates, the ex-serviceman certificate and bank details with the application. Verification is done by the Zila Sainik Board, so apply in time. Never pay anyone for applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much money is given under PMSS? A: ₹3,000 a month for girls (₹36,000 a year) and ₹2,500 a month for boys (₹30,000 a year). Q2: Who can apply? A: Dependent wards and widows of ex-servicemen and ex-Coast Guard personnel, in the first year of a professional course, with 60% marks in the MEQ. Q3: What is the last date to apply? A: Applications for 2026-27 can be submitted till 31 December 2026 on the KSB portal. Q4: Can children of para-military personnel apply? A: Not through the KSB route; there is a separate PMSS route under the Ministry of Home Affairs for them.