New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's first decision has been dedicated to those who secure the border. The Cabinet on Friday approved some major changes in the 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme' under the National Defence Fund. 

The first file signed by PM Modi on assuming charge in his second term as PM was to enhance the amount of scholarships under the National Defence Fund and to include State Police Personnel in its ambit. 

The rates of scholarship have been increased by 25% for boys and 33% for girls. 

The ambit of the Scholarship Scheme is extended to the wards of State Police officials who are/were martyred during terror/naxal attacks. Earlier the children of martyrs like Tukaram Omble were not eligible for this scholarship. This will remove this anomaly and help families of all those deceased while fighting terror/naxals in state police forces.

"In line with the Prime Minister's vision for India's safety, security and the well-being of those who protect the nation, the very first decision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on assuming his office is approval to a major change in the 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme' under the National Defence Fund," government document says.

The Prime Minister has approved the following changes:

1. The rates of scholarship have been increased from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls. 

2. The ambit of the Scholarship Scheme is 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. 

In 2014, the first file PM Modi had signed after assuming charge was to grant ex-gratia to those affected by a train accident in Gorakhpur.