PMSSS scholarship

The Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme, also known as PMSSS 2024-25 or AICTE JK Scholarship 2023, is a pivotal opportunity extended by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This initiative aims to provide vital financial support to the talented youth of these regions, enabling them to pursue higher education and acquire the necessary skills to excel in their chosen fields. 

The inception of the PMSSS scholarship can be traced back to the year 2010 when an Expert Group, constituted by the Prime Minister, recognized the need to enhance employment opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This expert panel formulated a job plan that involved both the public and private sectors. One of the key recommendations that emerged from their deliberations was the introduction of 5000 fresh scholarships annually. These scholarships were designed to inspire and encourage the youth of these Union Territories to pursue higher studies outside their home regions. 

This initiative aligns with the broader strategy of enhancing human resource development by improving access to education and fostering the development of essential skills. This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to understanding and making the most of the PMSSS in 2024-25.

The J & K Cell is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the scheme. The following are the core objectives of the PMSSS scholarship:

• Provide academic fees (tuition and other admissible fee) and maintenance allowance for students from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh.
• Development of guidelines for proper implementation.
• Conducting awareness workshops to inform students about the scheme.
• Providing counselling for admissions to different programs and courses.
• Disbursing scholarships to eligible candidates.
• Addressing any grievances that may arise during the scholarship application process.
• This support covers expenses related to hostel, mess fees, cost of books, and other incidental charges.
• Eligible students are those who secure admission in Government colleges/institutions and select institutions outside J&K and Ladakh through AICTE's counselling process.
• This opportunity is available under the supernumerary quota created by the Government, except for medical courses.
• The scheme aims to empower the youth of J&K and Ladakh, enabling them to compete with their peers in the national mainstream.

Given below are the key highlights of the PMSSS scholarship scheme:

The allocation of scholarships under the PMSSS scheme is undertaken in the following manner,

• The PMSSS provides 5000 fresh scholarships each year.
• The Allocation of the scholarships is done on the basis of course type for e.g., for General Degree Courses there are 2070 scholarships, for
• Professional/Engineering Courses there are 2830 scholarships, and for Medical Courses there are 100 scholarships
• The number of scholarships for Engineering and Medical Studies may be adjusted as needed within the total annual scholarship limit of 5000, taking into account any savings resulting from fewer students selecting General Degree courses.

Candidates aspiring to apply for the PMSSS scholarship 2024-25 must ensure they fulfil the eligibility criteria stated under this scheme. Listed below are the essential requirements to be eligible for the scheme:

• Domicile Requirement: Applicants must be domiciled in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh.
• Educational Qualifications: Students should have successfully completed their 12th-grade examinations from schools affiliated with either JKBOSE (Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education) or CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) situated in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
• Income Criteria: Candidates must belong to families with an annual income of Rs. 8.00 lakh or less.
• Lateral Entry Scheme: Those interested in pursuing studies under the Lateral Entry Scheme must have a Diploma in Engineering from Polytechnic Institutes recognized by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) in J&K and Ladakh.
• Online Application: As a mandatory requirement, all candidates must submit their applications online through the AICTE web portal.
• Seat Allocation: Admission under the Lateral Entry Scheme is contingent on the availability of seats from the preceding year in the Engineering Stream, specifically in the relevant stream.

Candidates would be considered ineligible to apply for the PMSSS Scheme when-

• Students who are enrolled in programs offered by Open Universities.
• Students benefiting from any other scholarship program provided by a Central/State/UT Government or any scholarship scheme administered by an autonomous organization associated with them.
• Applicants admitted through the 'Management Quota'.
• Students pursuing Diploma courses.
• Students engaged in Post-Graduate level studies across all fields.
• Applicants with an annual family income exceeding Rs. 8.00 Lakh.
• Those who have not completed the online registration process on the AICTE Portal.
• Students enrolling in colleges that are not listed on the AICTE Portal as prescribed institutions.
• Candidates securing admission through intermediaries or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The following table covers the award amount and benefits covered under the PMSSS scholarship:

The selection process within the PMSSS scheme comprises the following:

Document Verification and Registration

• Applicants must visit the nearest Facilitation Centre, established by the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, to verify the authenticity of the documents they have uploaded. 
• The verified documents should be uploaded on the Facilitation Center's portal, duly stamped.
• Upon successful document verification, candidates should ensure that they collect a copy of the document verification report without any delays.

Choice Filling

• The choice filling window for course preferences will only be accessible to candidates who have completed the registration process and successfully verified their documents at one of the Facilitation Centers.
• It's essential to note that the choice filling window will be closed on the specified last date, and no further changes in the order of preference will be permitted after that.

Merit List and Counseling

• The provisional merit list, derived from Class XII/Diploma results, will be made available after the declaration of results.
• Students whose names appear on the provisional merit list are mandated to attend the counseling sessions.
• Seat allocation will be conducted through an online counseling process, taking into account the candidate's merit and scholarship availability.

List of Eligible Institutions/Universities

• A list of institutions and universities where admissions are being offered will be compiled and presented in the candidate's login for the purpose of choice filling.
• Eligible candidates are advised to select their courses from this list of institutions and universities.
• It should be noted that scholarships will not be awarded to candidates who enroll in institutions or universities not included in the AICTE portal's list, except for MBBS/BDS/allied medicinal courses and those with no supernumerary quota in Central/State Government institutions.

Reservation Policies

The scholarship scheme adheres to the reservation norms set by the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh (subject to notifications from these UTs) for categories such as SC, ST, and Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC).

The breakdown of reservations is as follows:

• SC – 8%
• ST – 10%
• SEBC (excluding SC and ST) – 22%, comprising:
  • Weak & underprivileged classes/social caste (OCS) – 4%
  • Residents of backward areas (RBA) – 10%
  • Residents of areas adjoining the actual line of control (ALC) or International Border (IB) – 4%
  • Pahari Speaking People – 4%
• Economically & Weaker Sections (EWSs) – 10%

Additionally, a horizontal reservation of 4% is reserved for Physically Handicapped (PwD) candidates with a disability of 40% and above, following Central Government norms.

To apply for the Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme 2023, all eligible candidates are required to complete the online registration process by following the straightforward steps provided below:

• Go to the official AICTE website.
• Select the 'PMSSS 2024-25 Registration' tab.
• Select the '12th Registration (2023-24)' option.
• Fill in all the necessary information and then click on the 'Register' button.
• After registering, log in using your email ID and password.
• Proceed to enter all the required details, upload the necessary documents, and submit the application form.

The Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) 2024 offers a wide array of courses, and candidates have the flexibility to select from three distinct streams:

• The General Stream encompasses courses including B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., B.Sc. (Honors), BBA, BCA, and various others.
• In Professional Courses, candidates have the opportunity to pursue programs such as B.E., B.Tech, B. Pharmacy, B. Architecture, Hotel Management & Catering Technology, and B.Sc. (Nursing).
• Aspiring candidates in the medical field can explore options such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and various Allied Medicinal Courses.

Scholarships provided under the scheme can be renewed for subsequent academic years. The renewal of a scholarship under the PMSS is contingent upon the student's good conduct and the maintenance of attendance as specified by the respective institution.

• Students who do not progress to the next class or level can retain their scholarship for the following year, with a condition. If a student fails for a second consecutive time, they will forfeit the scholarship, and it will not be renewed for subsequent years.
• In situations where a scholar is unable to appear in the annual examination due to illness or unforeseen incidents, there is a provision for scholarship renewal. To renew the scholarship, the student must submit a medical certificate and other supporting evidence.
• The Head of the Institution will assess the validity of the medical certificate and the circumstances and, if satisfied, certify the renewal.
• It's important to note that the scholarship will not be disbursed twice for the same academic year of study, even in cases of renewal.

In conclusion, the PMSSS scholarship 2024-25, also known as AICTE JK Scholarship 2024, is a significant initiative by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to empower the students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. 

This initiative aligns with the broader strategy of enhancing human resource development by improving access to education and fostering the development of essential skills. The PMSSS in 2024-25 aims to empower the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, enabling them to compete nationally.

Candidates facing any issues or have any queries with regard to the PMSSS 2024-25 can use the following contact details for assistance:

Phone Number: 011-29581010,1043,1051,1518, 9419144030

Email: css.aicte-india.org/login

or 

Contact Prof. (Dr) Ajeet Angral (Consultant PMSSS UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh AICTE, New Delhi)

Phone number: 9419144030