Punjab to impart skill education in business, marketing to school students

The Punjab government has decided to provide skill education in business and marketing to Class 11 and 12 students in government schools from the 2026-27 academic year under its ‘Punjab Young Entrepreneurs’ scheme.

While scores of applicants chased a single job, the Punjab government was encouraging students to become job creators instead of job seekers, State Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said on Saturday (July 5, 2025), addressing the ‘Business Blasters Expo 2025’ in Rupnagar.

“We would provide all kinds of assistance, as well as financial and technical (assistance) to all progressive-minded students,” he said.

He said that 10 student-led ventures of students, selected from government schools across Punjab, demonstrated their business ideas in a Shark Tank-style showdown before government leaders, industrialists, startup founders, and educationists, and were successful in getting financial assistance to make their dreams come true. Another 30 teams also showcased and sold their products at Expo stalls, he added.

“An investment of ₹17 lakh has been made to set up innovation labs, where students will now be able to develop their own products, even in collaboration with IITs,” he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, said that the Punjab Young Entrepreneurs Scheme would be a milestone in school education.

“Going forward, government school students will need to present a business idea to be eligible to pass. Students must gain practical understanding and real-world learning. Those graduating from Class 12 will leave with something they’ve created, sold, and earned money from. Regardless of their chosen degree or diploma, every student must learn how to earn while studying,” he said.