VINIT WAHI / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated his first decision after taking over to those who protect the country.
Mr Modi has approved major changes in the Prime Minister’s scholarship scheme under the National Defence Fund. He has enhanced rates of scholarship from 2000 rupees per month to 2500 rupees per month for boys and from 2250 rupees per month to 3000 rupees per month for girls.
The ambit of the Scholarship Scheme is also extended to the wards of State Police officials who are/were martyred during terror/naxal attacks. The quota of new scholarships for wards of state police officials will be 500 in a year. The Ministry of Home Affairs will be the nodal Ministry in this regard.
Under National Defence Fund, major scheme – Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is being implemented to encourage technical and post-graduate education for the widows and wards of the deceased/ex-service personnel of Armed Forces and Para Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.