Jammu, October 13,2026- The Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) has achieved 94.3 per cent of its annual target for the 2026-27 academic session in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Tuesday. So far, 4,715 scholarships have been allotted against a target of 5,000.
The scheme covers students from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and the latest figures show strong progress with a large part of the session still to go.
Course-wise allotment
The 4,715 scholarships have been distributed across three categories of courses:
- General degree courses: 1,894 scholarships against a target of 2,070
- Professional courses: 2,741 scholarships against a target of 2,830
- Medical and BDS courses: 80 scholarships against a target of 100
With 285 scholarships remaining against the annual target of 5,000, the scheme has reached close to 95 per cent of its planned allotment for the session.
Higher than previous full-year figures
The official said the current achievement is significantly higher than the full-year figures recorded in each of the previous three academic sessions. PMSSS recorded 3,627 beneficiaries in 2023-24, 3,674 in 2024-25 and 3,585 in 2025-26.
The current-year allotment is already 1,130 higher than the 2025-26 figure, an increase of around 31.5 per cent.
What PMSSS offers
PMSSS gives students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh the chance to pursue undergraduate studies at institutions outside the two Union Territories. Students are selected through the counselling process of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the scheme provides financial support towards academic fees and maintenance expenses.
The scheme aims to improve access to quality higher education, strengthen students’ skills and widen employment opportunities for the region’s youth.
Role of the Higher Education Department
The Higher Education Department of the J&K Government has been facilitating and coordinating the scheme’s implementation in the Union Territory. According to the official, this includes the timely start of registration and counselling, along with facilitation centres and facilitation-cum-document verification centres to help students through the process.
The department also takes part in the verification and review mechanism through a UT-level Review Committee. It is headed by the Commissioner/Secretary of the Higher Education Department, with the Director Colleges, J&K, as its Member Secretary.
Credit to coordinated efforts
The faster progress this year reflects coordinated efforts by the Higher Education Department, other authorities and field-level facilitation mechanisms, according to the official details. The aim is to make sure eligible students are able to take advantage of the scheme’s benefits.
Why the numbers matter
For many families in Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme can make higher education outside the region financially possible. Support towards fees and maintenance reduces the burden on households, and exposure to institutions in other parts of the country helps students build skills and networks.
The rise in allotments over recent years is also notable. After hovering between about 3,600 and 3,700 in the previous three sessions, the figure has already crossed 4,700 this year, with further allotments possible before the session ends.
Outlook
With 285 scholarships left to reach the annual target, further allotments could push the number of beneficiaries even higher during the ongoing session. Students who are eligible and have not yet completed their registration or counselling are advised to follow official announcements and approach the nearest facilitation centre for guidance.
The progress this year suggests that coordinated facilitation can help more students benefit from the scheme, and officials will be watching closely to see whether the full target is met.
