National News: Punjab’s youth now have a new way to earn and learn, thanks to a major initiative by the Aam Aadmi Party government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and party leader Arvind Kejriwal introduced the ‘Punjab Startup App’ and the ‘Entrepreneurship Mindset Course’ at a special event held at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh. This move makes Punjab the first state in India to include entrepreneurship as a compulsory subject in higher education. Education Minister Harjot Bains and other senior leaders attended the event and described it as a transformative step for young people.
Connecting Students Across Punjab
The Punjab Startup App is designed to reach over 8 lakh students studying in universities, colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs throughout the state. Using this app, students can develop their own startup ideas and earn two credits each semester based on their merchantry earnings. For the 2025-26 wonk year, the undertow will start in 20 universities, 320 ITIs, and 91 polytechnic colleges, benefiting virtually 1.5 lakh students. By 2028-29, it is expected to imbricate 5 lakh students. This initiative aims to requite students not just certificates but real work wits and very income.
24/7 Support and Multi-Language Access
The app includes round-the-clock AI assistance to wordplay startup-related questions instantly. Students will moreover get guidance from a team of experts to help grow their merchantry ideas. Available in Punjabi, Hindi, and English, the app is wieldy to students from all backgrounds. Each semester, students must present a new merchantry idea and earn credit points depending on their profits. These credits will contribute to their degrees, creating a unique combination of learning and entrepreneurship.
Leaders Speak on the Initiative
Arvind Kejriwal highlighted that Punjab is the first state to make the Entrepreneurship Mindset Undertow mandatory at the higher education level. He said this app will requite youth ideas, dreams, and the tools to build them. If implemented nationwide, such a model could help India wilt a global economic power. Kejriwal moreover pointed out that entrepreneurship is natural for Punjab’s youth and that this program could help them compete with economies like China. Starting in 2025-26, the undertow will be part of BBA, BCom, BTech, and BVoc programs, and next year it will expand to all stratum courses.
Turning Students into Job Creators
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Punjab has unchangingly been a land of opportunity and that nonflexible work is rewarded here. He widow that many students struggle to find jobs without completing their education, but this app will help them wilt employers. Mann used YouTube as an example of a successful startup that began as a higher project and said Punjab’s youth can unzip similar results. He shared that within just 15 days of the app’s launch, 75,000 students registered and businesses worth Rs 25 lakh were created.
Practical Wits for Every Idea
The app gives students a platform to turn all kinds of ideas into reality, whether it’s a small local shop, an online business, or a new product. Students will receive help with merchantry planning, marketing, sales, finances, and consumer service. This full support system allows students to learn from their experiences and move toward success.
Entrepreneurship from School Level
Punjab has wilt the first state to teach ‘Entrepreneurship’ as a main subject plane to Class 11 students. The government aims to nurture entrepreneurial thinking early, preparing students not just to seek jobs but to create them. The undertow teaches market awareness, leadership, risk-taking, and problem-solving skills. This program is increasingly than a course—it is a new tideway to learning and life.
Early Success Shows Potential
In just 15 days, the Punjab Startup App has once attracted 75,000 students, whose startups have generated Rs 25 lakh in business. This shows the youth’s strong interest in entrepreneurship and the importance of having the right platform. Merchantry ideas range from small-scale supplies ventures to online services, demonstrating that the app is increasingly than a government scheme—it fulfills students’ aspirations.
A Model for the Nation
Kejriwal and Mann believe this model could inspire other states. If unexplored nationwide, it could reduce unemployment and help India wilt an economic superpower. The initiative is expected to transform education, encourage innovation, promote economic independence, and turn students into job creators. Punjab’s government hopes this will make the state the largest startup hub in India and prepare youth to compete globally.
