Lok Sabha Question No. 3089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3089

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 th  August, 2024

## PRIME MINISTER'S SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

## 3089 SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  beneficiaries  under  the  Prime  Minister's  Scholarship  Scheme  (PMSS)  in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years;
- (b) the quantitative details on the criteria used for selecting beneficiaries under the PMSS in Andhra  Pradesh  and  the  data-driven  process  for  verifying  eligibility  and  disbursement  of scholarships;
- (c) the details of measures taken to ensure the equitable distribution of scholarships among eligible  widows  and  wards  of  deceased/ex-service  personnel  in  Andhra  Pradesh  under  the PMSS; and
- (d)  the  future  plans  of  the  Government  to  enhance  the  scholarship  amount  under  PMSS, considering inflation and rising education costs?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

- (a):  The details of beneficiaries under Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years is given below:
- (b):    Students  who  have  taken  admission  in  1 st year  of  authorized  technical/  professional courses  are  eligible  for  PMSS.  A  candidate  must  have  minimum  60%  marks  in  minimum educational qualification (10+2/ Diploma/ Graduation as applicable).  Candidates are selected in order of merit according to eligibility criteria (in order of priority) given below (i) to (vi) and percentage  of  marks  obtained.  The  scholarship  amount  is  being  paid  directly  to  the beneficiaries Aadhar linked account through Electronic Clearance System (ECS) by the bank.

| Year    |   No. of Beneficiaries |
|---------|------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                    631 |
| 2020-21 |                    508 |
| 2021-22 |                    769 |
| 2022-23 |                    719 |
| 2023-24 |                    892 |

Eligibility Criteria (In order of Priority)

- (i) Wards/ Widows of ESM/ Ex-Coast Guard personnel killed in action.

(ii) Wards of ESM/ Ex-Coast Guard personnel disabled in action and boarded out of service with disability attributable to Military/ Coast Guard service.

(iii) Wards/ Widows of ESM/ Ex-Coast Guard personnel who died while in service for causes attributable to Military/ Coast Guard Service.

(iv)  Wards  of  ESM/  Ex-Coast  Guard  personnel  disabled  in  service  with  disability attributable to Military/ Coast Guard Service.

- (v) Wards of ESM/ Ex-Coast Guard personnel in receipt of gallantry awards.
- (vi) Wards of ESM/ Ex-Coast Guard personnel (PBOR Only).

(c):  The fund for PMSS is allotted centrally for all States/UTs from National Defence Fund which is being utilized for payment to applicants from all the States/UTs.  No state wise fund is  allotted.  The  Scholarship  is  awarded  based  on  merit  among  the  wards/widows  of Ex-servicemen who have applied each year.  Candidates are selected in order of merit as per eligibility criteria/ priority and percentage of marks obtained. The number of scholarships have been  increased  from  4000  to  5500  (2750  boys  and  girls  each)  scholarships  annually  from Academic Year 2015-16.

(d):  The scholarship amount under PMSS is enhanced from time to time. As of now there is no proposal for enhancement of scholarship amount. The details of previous enhancements are as under: -

| (i) 2006 - 07 (Initial)   | : Rs. 15,000 for Boys Rs. 18,000 for Girls   |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| (ii) 2012 - 13            | : Rs. 24,000 for Boys Rs. 27,000 for Girls   |
| (iii) 2019 - 20           | : Rs. 30,000 for Boys Rs. 36,000 for Girls   |

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