Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF 2025: Dates, Eligibility Criteria and Amount — How to Apply

The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of RPF/RPSF 2025 in an important scholarship scheme that supports dependent wards and widows of Railway Protection Force – RPF and Railway Protection Special Force – RPSF personnel by providing financial assistance for pursuing their professional courses. For the year 2025–26 Ministry of Railways has opened applications on the National Scholarship Portal and student applying application window has been extended and now closes on 15 of December 2025. There are total of 150 scholarships are available for the year with 50% (75) reserved for female students that is a measure intended to boost gender parity among beneficiaries. This article explains who can apply, what documents are required, how selection and renewal work and the financial support on offer.

Important Dates

Who can apply? — Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant Must be Dependent wards or widows of ex-serving or serving RPF/RPSF personnel below the rank of Gazetted Officer – e.g., constable, head constable, inspector.
2. Only two wards per family are eligible to receive the scholarship from a family.
3. Applicants must have secured at least 60% – or its equivalent in Minimum Entry Qualification – Class 12 for undergraduate entry, diploma for lateral entry, or graduation for postgraduate or lateral courses.
4. Applicant Must be enrolled in full-time professional/technical courses recognized by AICTE, UGC, MCI, NCTE, etc. (e.g., Engineering, Medicine, Management, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, B.Ed, MCA/MBA). Master’s degrees are generally not covered except MBA and MCA.
5. Institute must be AISHE-compliant; distance learning courses are not eligible.

How to apply (step-by-step)

1. Create an account or log in on the National Scholarship Portal official website.
2. Choose – Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for RPF/RPSF from the dashboard and start a fresh application (or use original application ID for renewals).
3. Fill your personal academic and parent or service details by entering the MEQ marks and course admission details.
4. Upload scanned self-attested documents and verify entry fields carefully.
5. Submit before the deadline – zone/unit and institute will verify service and academic credentials. Final selection is merit-based within priority categories.

Documents needed (scanned copies)

1. Parent/guardian service certificate (for serving personnel) or PPO / discharge certificate (for retired personnel).
2. MEQ marksheet (≥60%).
3. Proof of admission/enrolment for academic year 2025–26.
4. Aadhaar of the student, bank passbook (account in student’s name), passport photo, bonafide/institute continuation certificate (for renewals).

Priority categories & selection basics

Selection is merit-based within priority categories: (I) Wards/widows of personnel who died in harness during anti-terror/encounter duties; (II) Wards/widows of personnel who died in service (non-combat); (III) Wards of retired personnel; (IV) Wards of serving personnel. If applications exceed slots, higher categories get preference. Final lists published by Ministry/NSP are binding.

Scholarship amount and duration

Amounts for the 2025–26 cycle are as notified on the NSP and Ministry guidelines; these are disbursed via DBT/PFMS to the beneficiary’s bank account.

Important Links