Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh

The Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh is a program aimed at enhancing the employment prospects of youth in these Union Territories (UTs). This initiative is also part of an extensive human resource development programme that seeks to improve competency by widening educational opportunities.

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Objective

The scheme’s objective is to give money towards educational and maintenance expenses to the students of J & K and Ladakh who get admission to government institutions or reputed private institutions outside the UTs. This scheme was first introduced in 2011 and has undergone several changes to make it more student-friendly.

Scope

Every year, a total of 5000 students receive scholarships under the scheme. The scholarship committee disburses these scholarships in the following manner:

• 2,070 scholarships for general degree courses,
• 2,830 scholarships for professional/engineering courses, and
• 100 scholarships for medical courses.

The distribution for engineering and medical scholarships is flexible, depending on the number of applicants for general degree courses, but the overall cap remains 5,000 scholarships per year.

Scholarships, Fees, and Allowances

Stream	Number of Scholarships	Academic Fee (Upper Limit)	Maintenance Charges (Fixed)
General Degree	2,070	₹30,000	₹1.00 Lakh*
Professional/Engineering/B.Sc. Nursing	2,830	₹1.25 Lakh	₹1.00 Lakh*
Medical/BDS or equivalent (Subject to NEET)	100	₹3.00 Lakh	₹1.00 Lakh*

Note: Maintenance allowance is disbursed in ten equal installments covering hostel, mess, books, stationery, and incidental expenses.

Disbursement of Scholarships

1. Academic Fee: The scholarship for academic fees will be paid directly to the institution, within the limits set by the State Fee Regulatory Authority or any other government-appointed body. The fee ceiling is ₹1.25 lakh for professional courses, ₹30,000 for general courses, and ₹3.00 lakh for medical courses.
2. Maintenance Allowance: A fixed allowance of ₹1.00 lakh per annum will be deposited directly into the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). For first-year students, the allowance is distributed in nine installments, starting with ₹20,000, followed by eight monthly payments of ₹10,000. From the second year onwards, the allowance will be paid in ten monthly installments of ₹10,000.

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh

To be eligible for Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, candidates must:

• Be domiciles of J&K or Ladakh,
• Have passed the Class 12 exam from schools affiliated with JKBOSE or CBSE in J&K or Ladakh,
• Have a family income of ₹8.00 lakh or less per annum,
• If applying for lateral entry, must have a diploma in engineering from a recognized Polytechnic Institute in J&K or Ladakh,
• Apply online through the AICTE portal.

Additionally, lateral entry students must secure admission based on the availability of seats from the previous year.

Exclusions

Certain categories of students are ineligible for the scholarship:

• Students enrolled in open universities,
• Those receiving scholarships from other government schemes,
• Students who gained admission through management quotas,
• Diploma and postgraduate students,
• Students with family incomes exceeding ₹8.00 lakh per year,
• Candidates who did not apply via the AICTE online portal,
• Those admitted to colleges not listed on the AICTE portal.

Participating Institutions

Eligible candidates can apply for admission in a selected pool of well-performing institutions recognized by AICTE, UGC, or other regulatory bodies. The selected institutions must meet the following criteria:

• NAAC accredited for general programs,
• NBA accredited or listed in the NIRF rankings up to 300 for engineering programs,
• Central universities and Delhi University colleges are also included.

For medical and nursing courses, admissions are restricted to government institutions, with the list of nursing colleges provided by the Indian Nursing Council.

Duration and Renewal of Scholarships

The Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh is renewable if the student maintains good behavior and attendance. Students do not lose the scholarship immediately, even if they do not advance to another level of study for the first time. But if they fail the second time, they shall lose it. It does not apply to the case of students who cannot sit for an exam due to illness or other reasons, as long as the appropriate evidence is valid.

Online Admission Process

Eligible candidates who passed the Class 12 exam or obtained a diploma in engineering in 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 can apply online through the AICTE portal. The application process includes document verification at facilitation centers set up by the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.

Candidates must provide the following documents:

1. Domicile certificate,
2. Class 10th and 12th certificates (or diploma for lateral entry),
3. Income certificate,
4. Caste certificate (for reserved categories),
5. Disability certificate (for PwD candidates).

Reservation Policy

The scheme follows the reservation norms of J&K and Ladakh, offering reservations for SC, ST, and Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) as follows:

• SC: 8%
• ST: 10%
• SEBC: 25%

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Finak Thoughts

The Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh is an excellent opportunity for students in these regions to pursue higher education and seek a career in varied fields. Students receive financial help for academic fees and living expenses to complete their degrees without worrying about financial matters. The initiative not only develops education in the region but also helps to integrate the region with national norms and practices for the benefit of the individuals and society.

FAQs

What is the SSS J&K and Ladakh Scheme?

The Special Scholarship Scheme (SSS) provides financial assistance to students from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to pursue higher education outside the UTs.

Who is eligible for this scholarship?

Students must be domiciles of J&K or Ladakh, have passed the Class 12 exam from JKBOSE or CBSE, and have a family income of less than ₹8 lakh per year.

How many scholarships are available each year?

The scheme offers 5,000 fresh scholarships each year for classes like General Degree, Professional/Engineering, and Medical courses.

The scholarship covers which expenses?

The scholarship covers academic fees (tuition and other admissible fees) and maintenance charges for a hostel, mess, books, and other incidental expenses.

How much financial support is provided?

For General Degree courses, up to ₹30,000 in academic fees and ₹1 lakh in maintenance charges are provided. For Professional/Engineering courses, it’s up to ₹1.25 lakh, and for Medical courses, up to ₹3 lakh.

Can students pursuing postgraduate studies apply?

No, this scholarship is only for students pursuing undergraduate courses and does not cover postgraduate studies.

How is the scholarship disbursed?

The academic fee is paid directly to the institution, and the maintenance allowance is transferred to the student’s bank account in installments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

What is the admission process for the Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh?

Eligible students must apply through the AICTE portal offered online.

Are students pursuing education through Open Universities eligible?

No, students enrolled in Open Universities are not eligible for the SSS J&K and Ladakh scholarships.

Is there a reservation policy under Scholarship Scheme for Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh?

Yes. The UTs of J&K and Ladakh follow the reservation norms for SC, ST, and SEBC (Socially and Economically Backward Classes).