Chandigarh, July 22: Over 20,000 student-led enterprises across Punjab have generated nearly ₹90 crore in revenue within their first year, following the implementation of the state government’s ‘Sikhya Kranti’ educational push. Introduced under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the compulsory two-credit ‘Business Class’ subject reached nearly 95,000 students in higher and technical institutes, guiding young minds toward active entrepreneurship alongside their standard academic coursework.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains declared that the program is fundamentally transforming the core purpose of learning across the state. The initiative is designed to ensure students do not merely seek employment upon graduation, but instead become key contributors to economic advancement and employment growth. The mandatory course was introduced during the 2025-26 academic session across 925 institutions, including 20 universities, 494 colleges, 320 ITIs, and 91 polytechnics.
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| PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE (2025-26) |
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| Total Enrolled Students : ~95,000 |
| Active Business Projects : ~57,000 (60% engagement) |
| Ventures Established : 25,693 |
| Revenue-Generating Units : 20,241 |
| Total Revenue Generated : ~₹90 Crore |
| Participating Institutes : 925 across Punjab |
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Beyond classroom theory, the coursework centers on practical market fundamentals, including customer discovery, digital presence, pricing strategies, and business execution. Approximately 60 percent of enrolled students actively engaged in real-world commercial operations, launching ventures spanning e-commerce, agriculture, food services, digital media, and technical services.
Owing to this widespread success, university Vice Chancellors across Punjab have unanimously supported expanding the curriculum. Starting from the 2026-27 academic session, the Business Class subject will extend beyond technical and management streams to cover all undergraduate degree programs, including Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science streams.
“Our objective is not merely to award degrees but to nurture a generation of young innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators. When young people are provided with the right opportunities, they can build businesses, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy,” asserted Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
Student experiences reflect this shift in traditional career outlooks. Gaganpreet Kaur Rangi, a student at Government ITI (Women) in Mohali who launched a home-based nail art enterprise, affirmed that the course completely reframed her professional outlook, helping her gain the confidence to build a business rather than seek conventional employment.
