On assuming charge in his second term as PrimeMinister of India, Narendra Modi on Friday signed a file that approved hisCabinet's decision on major changes in the Prime Minister's Scholarship Schemeunder the National Defence Fund (NDF). The decision aims to enhance the amountof scholarships under the NDF and to include State Police Personnel in itsambit.

As per the reports, the rates of scholarship have beenincreased by 25% for boys and 33% for girls. Also the ambit of the ScholarshipScheme is extended to the wards of State Police officials who were martyredduring terror or Naxal attacks. The decision is likely to remove anomalies inthe Scholarship Scheme and help families of all those deceased while fightingterror or Naxals in State police forces.

Meanwhile, PM informed about the very first decision taken by the Union Cabinet via Twitter. "Our Government's first decision dedicated to those who protect India! Major changes approved in PM's Scholarship Scheme under the National Defence Fund including enhanced scholarships for wards of police personnel martyred in terror or Maoist attacks," PM tweeted.