NEW DELHI: In a landmark move for educational empowerment, the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has unveiled a series of initiatives for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, including a foreign study scholarship scheme that covers tuition fees, visas, airfare, and a ₹13.17 lakh annual allowance.
At a press conference in Punjab Bhawan, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, announced the government’s major education-focused interventions: the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Foreign Scholarship Scheme, and PCS Crash Course.
Post-Matric Scholarship: 35% Rise in Beneficiaries
Dr. Kaur highlighted that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme has been freed from corruption and disputes that plagued it for years. Funds now directly reach students, ensuring transparency.
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In 2022, 1,76,842 students benefitted.
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In 2025, the number has risen to 2,37,456 — a 35% increase in three years.
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Over the past three years, 6.78 lakh students have benefitted, compared to just 3.71 lakh in the previous five years.
For 2025-26, the target is 2.70 lakh students, with awareness campaigns being conducted across schools and colleges.
Additionally, scholarships will also be given under the Top Class Education in Colleges scheme to students from OBC, EBC, and DNT categories (family income below ₹2.5 lakh), enrolled in premier institutes like AIIMS Bathinda, IIT Ropar, NIT Jalandhar, IIM Amritsar, NIPER Mohali, IISER Mohali, and Thapar University, among others.
Foreign Scholarship Scheme: Global Dreams Within Reach
The newly launched Foreign Study Scholarship Scheme for SC students and children of landless farm labourers will allow eligible youth (under 35 years, minimum 60% marks, parental income below ₹8 lakh) to pursue higher education in the world’s top 500 universities.
The scheme covers:
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Visa, airfare, and tuition fees
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Annual maintenance allowance of ₹13.17 lakh
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Emergency allowance of ₹1.35 lakh
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Medical insurance
Other features include:
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30% reservation for female students
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Maximum of two beneficiaries per family
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Each student can avail the scheme only once
Applications for the 2025-26 academic session are open on the NOS portal (https://nosmsje.gov.in) until October 24, 2025.
Dr. Kaur said, “This scheme will open new doors of opportunity for Punjab’s talented youth. Parents will no longer have to mortgage their property to send their children abroad.”
PCS Crash Course at Ambedkar Institute
A two-month PCS crash course is being launched at Ambedkar Institute, Mohali, for SC, BC, and minority students.
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Applications: September 17–26, 2025 (offline & email)
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Entrance test: September 30, 2025
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40 candidates to be selected
The institute has been upgraded with ₹1.47 crore, and an additional ₹1.22 crore is being invested. Professors’ honorarium has been doubled from ₹750 to ₹1,500 per hour to attract top scholars.
Punjab Government’s Commitment
Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed the government’s vision:
“Our goal is to make higher education accessible, affordable, and attractive for every eligible child in Punjab. Only through education can we socially and economically empower our students.”
With these initiatives, the Mann government has set a new benchmark for social justice and educational reforms, positioning Punjab as a leader in student welfare and empowerment.
