Policy Update
Khushi
Background
Launched in 2011 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) was designed to help students from Jammu and Kashmir and, from 2019, to students from Ladakh as well, access quality higher education across India. This initiative followed recommendations from an expert group in 2010 that proposed a structured job plan to address the region’s limited educational and employment opportunities.
With the goal to educate, enable and empower, PMSSS supports talented students by funding their studies in top institutions outside their home region. It is meant for domiciled students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh who have completed Class 12 or a three-year diploma and whose family income is below ₹8 lakh per year.
The scheme is funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and implemented through the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It covers tuition and living expenses for students enrolled in medical, technical, and general degree programmes. PMSSS now continues under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP).
Functioning
PMSSS is centrally administered by AICTE with support from the Union Territory administrations. Key features include:
- Eligibility and Registration: Applicants must be domiciled in J&K or Ladakh, have passed 10+2 (Science/Arts/Commerce) or 10+3 Polytechnic diploma from these UTs, and meet the income cap of ₹8 lakh. Eligible students register online on the official PMSSS portal and submit relevant certificates. They then visit designated Facilitation Centres (set up at schools/colleges in J&K/Ladakh) to verify their documents. Only those who have completed verification can proceed to counselling.
- Counseling and Admissions: AICTE conducts a nationwide online counselling for PMSSS candidates. Students fill preferences for colleges and courses (all outside J&K/Ladakh). Engineering (B.E./B.Tech. and related) aspirants may use JEE scores; medical aspirants must clear NEET; arts/science students need CUET. Attendance at the AICTE counseling is mandatory. Based on merit and preferences, seats are allotted in AICTE-approved institutions across India.
- Course Categories: The scheme covers three broad streams. General Degree courses include B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., etc. Professional/Technical courses include engineering, architecture, nursing, pharmacy, hotel management (HMCT), etc. Medical courses include MBBS, BDS, AYUSH degrees, B.Sc Nursing, etc. AICTE originally earmarked about 5,000 scholarships per year, typically approx. 2,070 for general degrees, 2,830 for professional courses, and 100 for medical degrees.
- Financial Assistance: PMSSS provides full tuition fee support and a living stipend. Tuition fees, up to the prescribed ceiling, are paid directly by AICTE into the institute’s account. Annual fee caps are ₹30,000 for general degrees, ₹1.25 lakhs for professional courses, and ₹3.00 lakhs for medical courses. In addition, each scholar receives a maintenance allowance of ₹1.00 lakh per year (paid in ten monthly installments of ₹10,000) to cover hostel, mess, books and incidentals. The maintenance is disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer to the student’s bank account, typically upon submission of a continuation certificate each semester.
- Stakeholders: AICTE (Ministry of Education) is the nodal implementing agency. The UT Governments of J&K and Ladakh facilitate outreach and verification. Colleges/universities nationwide (central, state, and private) participate by admitting PMSSS students. The National Scholarship Portal is used for final disbursal tracking. In practice, AICTE’s J&K Cell coordinates awareness workshops and helps students through the process.
Performance
Since its launch in 2011, the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) has supported tens of thousands of students from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh. Each year, around 5,000 scholarships are available, backed by a budget of ₹180–190 crore. Demand has consistently been strong, with over 25,000 applications received in both 2020–21 and 2021–22. Of these, around 4,000 to 4,800 students were admitted each year, filling 80–90% of available seats. Many of the unfilled general degree seats are converted into engineering or medical slots to maximise utilisation.
Originally, the scheme reserved 4,500 seats for general degrees and 250 each for engineering and medical courses. However, general streams tend to be less preferred, so AICTE allows conversion of excess seats, for instance, three unfilled general seats may be exchanged for one medical seat or two engineering seats. Medical seats are still underutilized; in 2020–21, only 113 out of 250 MBBS/BDS seats were filled, largely due to the difficulty of clearing NEET.
PMSSS students are placed in institutions across India, including central universities, state engineering colleges, IITs/NITs, and private colleges. Ladakh has seen significant participation, with over 1,000 students benefitting in the first few years. In 2020–21, 1,500 applied, and 410 students from Ladakh were admitted under the scheme.
Funding has been timely, with full tuition fees paid directly to institutions and ₹1 lakh annual maintenance allowances disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer.
The scheme was extended in 2022 for another five years, indicating continued government support. Though there are few formal impact evaluations, the consistent increase in applicants and regular coordination by UT governments suggest strong engagement and trust in the scheme. Ongoing process improvements, such as Aadhaar-based verification, reflect efforts to maintain transparency and accountability.
Impact
The Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) has made a meaningful impact by expanding higher education access for youth from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Since its launch in 2011, the scheme has benefited over 50,000 students, many from remote and marginalized communities, including more than 1,000 from Ladakh in the initial years.
By enabling students to study in reputed institutions across India, PMSSS has helped break social and economic barriers. It is widely regarded as a “game changer” that equips youth with education, skills, and exposure beyond their home regions.
However, challenges remain. Not all scholarship seats are utilized, especially in medical courses, where only around 45% of MBBS/BDS seats were filled in 2020–21. Some students drop out due to personal reasons or alternative admissions. Administrative issues like fund disbursement delays have prompted reforms such as Aadhaar linking and continuation certificates. Additionally, students often face initial cultural and language adjustments when studying outside their home states.
Overall, PMSSS has significantly contributed to educational equity and skill development for youth in conflict-affected regions. Continued outreach, mentorship, and process improvements are key to enhancing its reach and effectiveness.
References
About the Contributor: Khushi is currently pursuing her third year of B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She is affiliated with IMPRI as a Research Intern, with a keen interest in public policy, education, and development economics.
Acknowledgement: The author extends sincere gratitude to Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout the research process.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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