Chandigarh, July 19:
Punjab’s ‘Sikhya Kranti’ (Education Revolution), led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has achieved remarkable success through its innovative Business Class programme introduced in higher and technical education institutions across the state.
Launched as a mandatory course for students pursuing B.Com., BBA, B.Tech., B.Voc., ITI and Polytechnic programmes, the initiative reached nearly 95,000 students during its first academic year. Impressively, 25,693 students started their own businesses, while 20,241 ventures collectively generated nearly ₹90 crore in revenue.
Highlighting the achievement, Higher and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the programme is transforming the purpose of education by preparing students to become entrepreneurs instead of merely job seekers.
“Our aim is not just to award degrees but to create a generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators. The overwhelming response proves that when young people are given the right guidance and opportunities, they can build successful businesses, generate employment and contribute significantly to Punjab’s economy,” Bains said.
He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab’s Sikhya Kranti is equipping students with the skills needed not only to secure future jobs but also to create new opportunities for others.
A New Approach to Higher Education
The Business Class programme was introduced during the 2025-26 academic session as a two-credit compulsory course across:
- 20 Universities
- 494 Colleges
- 320 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
- 91 Polytechnics
A total of 925 higher and technical education institutions implemented the programme across Punjab.
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Unlike traditional classroom learning, the course emphasizes hands-on entrepreneurial training, covering business idea identification, market research, customer validation, business registration, branding, digital marketing, pricing strategies, financial planning, communication, problem-solving and customer acquisition.
As a result, nearly 57,000 students—around 60% of all participants—actively worked on real business ventures while still pursuing their studies.
Businesses Across Diverse Sectors
Students launched startups in a wide range of sectors including:
- E-commerce
- Bakery and food services
- Digital content creation
- Software and coding services
- Graphic design
- Fitness and wellness
- Retail
- Beauty and personal care
- Agriculture-based enterprises
- Handicrafts
- Local service businesses
Inspiring Student Success Stories
Several student-led ventures have already demonstrated the programme’s impact:
- Sourav, a Computer Engineering student at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, launched “Mock in Matcha”, a Matcha beverage brand that earned nearly ₹90,000 through sales at college festivals and events.
- Sharanveer Singh, from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, developed Skillexus, a digital career guidance platform that has attracted more than 2.5 lakh users.
- Pankaj, a B.Com. student at Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar, established Zaria Jewellery, an online artificial jewellery business serving around 150 customers and generating approximately ₹30,000 in revenue.
- Kamaljeet Singh, from Government ITI, Patiala, started KML Mushroom, supplying fresh button mushrooms to local markets and restaurants. His business has generated nearly ₹1.5 lakh in revenue while developing its own branded packaging.
- Gaganpreet Kaur Rangi, of Government ITI (Women), Mohali, launched Nail Studio by Gagan, a home-based nail art business promoted through Instagram and collaborations with local salons, earning around ₹55,000.
- Ramandeep Singh, from Government ITI, Mohali, established Quality Electronic Store, an online electronics business with its own website and growing customer base through social media marketing.
Expansion from 2026-27
Encouraged by the programme’s outstanding success, Vice-Chancellors of universities across Punjab have unanimously recommended extending Business Class to all undergraduate programmes from the 2026-27 academic session.
Initially introduced for B.Com., BBA., B.Tech. and B.Voc. students, the programme will now also cover BA, B.Sc. and other undergraduate courses, allowing many more students to gain practical entrepreneurial skills alongside their regular education.
Students Welcome the Initiative
Sharing his experience, Sharanveer Singh said:
“Punjab Government’s focus on entrepreneurship inspired me to build something meaningful. Skillexus is my effort to create a digital career guidance platform that helps students make informed career decisions.”
Similarly, Gaganpreet Kaur Rangi said:
“Before joining the Business Class programme, I believed getting a job was the only career option. This programme changed my mindset, gave me confidence in my ideas, and inspired me to build my own business while creating opportunities for others.”
The success of the Business Class initiative marks another milestone under Punjab’s Sikhya Kranti, reinforcing the state government’s vision of integrating entrepreneurship into higher education and nurturing a new generation of job creators.
