PM-USP Special Scholarship scheme extended till 2026; family income limit revised

NEW DELHI: The ministry of education has extended the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Special Scholarship for students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh upto March 31, 2026.

“5,000 fresh scholarships are available per annum for poor students of J&K and Ladakh for studies in India outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under the PM-USP Special Scholarship,” the ministry said.

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From financial year 2022-23, the upper limit of family income of eligible students has been revised to the same ceiling of Rs 4.5 lakh per annum under PM-USP scholarships for college and university students and Central Sector Interest Subsidy scheme.

As per the education ministry’s official website, earlier, the students of Jammu & Kashmir whose family income is less than Rs 6.0 lakh per annum and have passed Class 12 from the state and secured admission outside the state in the institutions which are either approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or recognised by the AICTE. However, now the upper limit of family income has been reduced.

Under PM-USP Special Scholarship for Students of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, 5000 fresh scholarships are available per annum for poor students of J&K and Ladakh for study in India outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. pic.twitter.com/ns6EF3fCs7

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) May 2, 2022

There is a provision of inter-changeability of slots among medical and engineering stream, subject to the savings accruing from any shortfall in the number of students opting for general degree courses.

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Scholarship is provided towards tuition fee and maintenance allowance. The rate of scholarship towards tuition fee for general degree courses is Rs 30,000 per annum, for engineering course Rs 1.25 lakh per annum and for medical studies Rs 3 lakh per annum. Fixed maintenance allowance of Rs 1.0 lakh per annum is provided to all students under the scheme, as per the official website.

The Inter Ministerial Committee is constituted to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.