Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana - Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (PM-USP SSSJKL) is open for the academic year 2026-27. AICTE started online registration on 16 July 2026 for 10+2 students and on 17 July 2026 for engineering diploma holders. After a final extension, the registration window closed on 27 July 2026 and the counselling process is running now. Students already getting this scholarship can submit renewal applications on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) till 31 October 2026.
This scheme pays academic fees and gives a maintenance allowance to students from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh who study in colleges outside their home territories. Eligible students can get academic fee support up to ₹30,000 per year for general degree courses, up to ₹1,25,000 per year for professional courses and up to ₹3,00,000 per year for medical courses, along with a maintenance allowance of ₹1,00,000 per year paid in 10 equal monthly installments.
PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh 2026-27
The scheme, started in 2011, covers tuition fees and maintenance allowance for students who have passed class XII or equivalent and secured admission in government or approved colleges through the AICTE counselling process. An expert group set up by the Prime Minister on 18 August 2010 suggested offering 5000 fresh scholarships every year to help the youth of these regions study outside their home territories and build competitive skills. This scheme is one part of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana, which also includes the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students.
Scope
Every year, 5000 fresh scholarships are available under this scheme. This includes 2070 scholarships for general degree courses, 2830 for professional or engineering courses, and 100 for medical courses. The numbers for engineering and medical streams can be adjusted to use any leftover budget from the general degree stream.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana - Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (PM-USP SSSJKL) |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash transfer |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Nodal Department | Department of Higher Education |
| Application Portal | aicte-jk-scholarship-gov.in |
Benefits
Selected students get complete financial support for their studies. The academic fee is paid directly to the college and a fixed maintenance allowance of ₹1,00,000 per year is sent to the student's bank account through the NSP portal in 10 equal monthly installments of ₹10,000. Institutes cannot charge students more than the limits given below.
| Stream | Number of Scholarships | Academic Fee Limit | Maintenance Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Degree | 2070 | ₹30,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Professional/Engineering/Nursing/Pharmacy/Architecture/HMCT | 2830 | ₹1,25,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Medical/BDS | 100 | ₹3,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
The scholarship is renewed every year based on promotion to the next class and good conduct. If a student faces an unforeseen problem, renewal can be requested by submitting a medical certificate to the head of the institution. Failing for two consecutive years means losing the scholarship.
Eligibility
Students who meet all the points below can apply for the scheme:
- Must be a permanent resident (domicile) of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh.
- Must have passed the 10+2 examination from JKBOSE or CBSE schools located in these territories during the academic sessions 2024-25 or 2025-26, that is, passed in 2025 or 2026.
- Total family income should be ₹8,00,000 or less per year.
- For lateral entry, must hold a diploma in engineering from a government-recognized polytechnic in the union territory, passed in the academic year 2025-26.
- Must complete the application online through the AICTE portal and get documents verified at an official facilitation center.
Exclusions
Students in the following categories cannot get this scholarship:
- Students doing distance education or courses through open universities.
- Students already getting benefits from another government scholarship.
- Students admitted through the Management Quota.
- Students enrolled in diploma courses or post-graduate studies.
- Students who missed the required online registration on the AICTE portal.
- Candidates who got admission through private agents or NGOs instead of the standard counselling process.
Application Process
Registration for the academic year 2026-27 closed on 27 July 2026. The process for fresh applicants is given below so that students know how the scheme works and can prepare for the next round. More details are available in the AICTE PMSSS registration 2026-2027 article.
STEP 1 - Keep an eye on the official AICTE website and the SSSJKL 2026-27 page for notifications and the calendar of events.
STEP 2 - Register and submit the application on the SSSJKL student portal within the registration window.
STEP 3 - Visit the nearest Facilitation cum Document Verification Center (FDVC) with original documents. The list of centers is available on the AICTE website.
STEP 4 - Take part in the online counselling process, fill in college choices and wait for the merit list and seat allotment.
STEP 5 - After seat allotment, report to the college, upload the joining report, and complete registration on the NSP portal using the SSSJKL ID.
Students already studying under this scheme can submit their renewal applications on the National Scholarship Portal up to 31 October 2026.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready for the application and verification process:
- Domicile certificate of the union territory.
- Class 10th and 12th mark sheets.
- Polytechnic diploma certificate (for lateral entry applicants).
- Valid income certificate.
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/SEBC) if applying under a reserved quota.
- Disability certificate (PwD), if applicable.
- AADHAAR card.
- Recent photograph.
References
For further details, visit these official links:
Official SSSJKL 2026-27 Page (AICTE)
PM-USP 2026-27 Advertisement PDF
Online Application Portal
Official Scheme Guidelines
Government Scheme Description
FAQ's
Is registration for 2026-27 still open?
No. Online registration for the academic year 2026-27 closed on 27 July 2026 after a final extension by AICTE. No further extension will be given. Students who missed it can apply in the next academic year.
Is document verification at a facilitation center required?
Yes, document verification is a very important part of the process. Without visiting the Facilitation cum Document Verification Center (FDVC), students cannot go ahead with choice filling or receive the scholarship.
Can I edit my application after submission?
Yes, if changes are needed, visit the facilitation center with the original documents. The officer there can help edit the application based on the supporting records. The correction window for registered candidates was 30 July 2026 for class 12 students and 1 August 2026 for diploma students.
Is there a helpdesk for questions?
Yes. Students can call 011-29581051, 1007, 1043, 1518 or email jkadmission2026@aicte-india.org. For technical issues, log a ticket at the Centralized Support System.
What if I am already admitted under the management quota?
Students admitted through management quotas or private agents are not eligible for this scholarship. It is only for those who get admission through the official counselling process.
How is the scholarship duration decided?
The duration depends on the course: usually 3 years for general degree, 4 years for professional courses, and 4.5 years for medical streams.
When is the last date for renewal applications?
Renewal applications on the National Scholarship Portal are open till 31 October 2026. Institute verification must be completed by 15 November 2026.