Access and Challenges in Higher Education: An Analysis of PMSSS Beneficiaries from  Ladakh.

Anwar Hussain; Halima Sadia Rizvi

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82958

Access and Challenges in Higher Education: An Analysis of PMSSS Beneficiaries from Ladakh.

Author(s)	Anwar Hussain, Prof. Dr. Halima Sadia Rizvi
Country	India
Abstract	Indian government launched the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) in 2011 to provide financial assistance for higher education to students in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Administered by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the program aims to enhance access to quality education, reduce regional disparities, and integrate students into the national mainstream. While PMSSS has been widely covered in national reports, limited research exists on its specific impact on Ladakh a region characterized by remoteness and inadequate higher educational infrastructure. The objective of this study is to analyse the experiences of PMSSS availing students from Ladakh a program facilitating higher education access for students from the region and to examine the challenges they face in accessing PMSSS benefits. This study employs a non-probability approach, combining judgment convenience and snowball sampling methods, utilizing primary data collected through structured questionnaires from Ladakhi students who are PMSSS beneficiaries enrolled in various states. The research investigates student’s experiences regarding the program’s benefits, challenges, and accessibility. Findings indicate that PMSSS has significantly enhanced career aspirations, reduced financial barriers, and enabled students to pursue general and professional degree programs outside Ladakh. However, the analysis also reveals persistent issues, including limited school awareness, insufficient internet access causing registration delays, difficulties in the counselling process, and cultural adjustment challenges faced by students in other states. The study concludes that while the PMSSS has improved Ladakhi youth’s access to education, enhancements are still required in awareness campaigns, local counselling services, and mentorship programs. Strengthening these components will enable the plan to achieve its objectives more effectively and support Ladakh’s long term development.
Keywords	Higher Education, Access, Challenges, PMSSS scholarship.
Field	Sociology > Economics
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-04
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82958

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Access and Challenges in Higher Education: An Analysis of PMSSS Beneficiaries from Ladakh.

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