Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab’s Sikhya Kranti, being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is giving a new direction to higher education by encouraging students to become entrepreneurs while pursuing their studies. The state government’s Business Class programme has delivered encouraging results in its very first year, with over 20,000 student-led ventures collectively generating nearly ₹90 crore in revenue.
The mandatory two-credit course was introduced during the 2025-26 academic session for students pursuing B.Com., BBA, B.Tech. and B.Voc. programmes, besides students of ITIs and polytechnics. The programme covered nearly 95,000 students across 925 higher and technical education institutions in Punjab. As many as 25,693 students started their own businesses, while 20,241 ventures generated revenue of around ₹90 crore.
Punjab Higher and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the Business Class programme is redefining the purpose of education by moving beyond degrees and examinations. He said the initiative is nurturing a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators.
“Punjab’s Sikhya Kranti is preparing our youth not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but to create tomorrow’s opportunities,” Bains said.
The programme provides students practical training in identifying business opportunities, understanding customers, market validation, digital marketing, pricing, financial planning, communication and problem-solving. Nearly 57,000 students actively participated in practical business activities during the academic session.
Students have launched ventures across sectors such as food and bakery services, e-commerce, digital content, coding, graphic designing, fitness, beauty and personal care, agriculture, handicrafts and professional services.
Several success stories have emerged from the programme. Students have launched ventures including a matcha beverage business, a digital career guidance platform with over 2.5 lakh users, online jewellery businesses, mushroom farming, nail art studios and online electronics stores.
Encouraged by the first-year results, Vice Chancellors of universities across Punjab have unanimously recommended expanding the Business Class programme to all undergraduate degree courses from the 2026-27 academic session. This will bring students pursuing BA, B.Sc. and other undergraduate programmes under the initiative.
The expansion is expected to further strengthen Punjab’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and help create a generation of young founders and CEOs from the very first year of college.
