J&K:Nearly 4,500 students avail PM scholarship scheme, highest in 6yrs

Nearly 4,500 students from Jammu and Kashmir have availed the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), which is the highest in 6 years, as per reports. Over 2,400 students from Jammu region and 1,474 students from Kashmir have reported at various colleges across the country to pursue undergraduate studies under the PMSSS. The rest of the students are from the Ladakh region, the report said. 

Programmes opted by the students

According to reports, the data reveals nearly 2,690 students have taken admission in engineering programmes, which is followed by over 800 students in general courses such as BA and B.Sc degrees, 700 in nursing programmes and about 150 in pharmacy. Last year approximately 2,500 students had taken admission under PMSSS, while nearly 3,000 had availed the scheme in 2017. The largest number of Jammu and Kashmir students this year are studying in Maharashtra, followed by Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, as per reports.

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Earlier on September 30, the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, announced that all schools up to Higher Secondary level will reopen from October 3 and the colleges will resume from or by October 9. The schools and colleges in the Valley have shut ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 in the state on August 5 and have been opened in phases since then. 

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Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme

The Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), Jammu and Kashmir is a scholarship scheme for students who are domicile of Jammu and Kashmir. The scholarship is introduced to build capabilities of Jammu and Kashmir youth. Every year fresh scholarships are given to students in Jammu and Kashmir, to pursue undergraduate studies outside the state, for improving their skills by providing access to education. The scheme was initiated in 2011 and was modified from time to time to make it more student-friendly. 

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Bifurcation into two Union Territories

With effect from October 31, Jammu and Kashmir will be bifurcated into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, as a bill in this regard was passed by the Parliament and given Presidential approval.

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