Selection Criteria for Public Service Scholarships

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the selection criteria for Public Service scholarships

Parliament Sitting: 5 Nov 2025

Ms Hany Soh: To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in light of the move towards a broader and more inclusive meritocracy, whether the Government is re-evaluating the criteria for awarding scholarships by Ministries and public agencies.   

Written Reply by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service

The Public Service selects candidates for scholarships based on a broad set of criteria and merit. Besides academic results, we take into account the candidate’s community service records, CCA achievements, psychometric tests and other assessments that consider a person’s values, perseverance, curiosity and adaptability. We actively work with educational institutions at the pre-tertiary and tertiary levels to reach out to students from a wide range of backgrounds. Public sector scholarships have been awarded to students from the polytechnics, schools offering the Integrated Programme, and junior colleges.  

We will continue to review our scholarship selection criteria to ensure that they remain relevant and effective in identifying outstanding Singaporeans from different backgrounds to come forward and serve Singapore in the Public Service.