Punjab's Sikhya Kranti Fuels Over 20,000 Student Ventures, Generates ₹90 Crore In First Year

Published 22 July 2026 · india

Punjab's Sikhya Kranti Fuels Over 20,000 Student Ventures, Generates ₹90 Crore In First Year Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 10:43 IST Under Punjab's

Punjab's Sikhya Kranti Fuels Over 20,000 Student Ventures, Generates ₹90 Crore In First Year Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 10:43 IST Under Punjab's Sikhya Kranti, over 20,000 student ventures generated nearly ₹90 crore in their first year, prompting the programme's expansion. Rapid Read Punjab will expand its Business Class programme after more than 20,000 student ventures generated nearly ₹90 crore in revenue during its first year. (Representative image) Punjab’s flagship ‘Business Class’ programme under the Sikhya Kranti initiative has helped more than 20,000 student-led businesses generate nearly ₹90 crore in revenue during its first year, according to the Punjab government. The programme, introduced as a compulsory subject for students pursuing B.Com., BBA, B.Tech., B.Voc., as well as those enrolled in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Polytechnics, covered nearly 95,000 students across the state during the 2025-26 academic session. According to the government, 25,693 students launched their own businesses, while 20,241 ventures generated close to ₹90 crore in revenue during the first year of the initiative. Punjab Higher and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the programme aims to transform higher education by encouraging students to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers. “Our objective is not merely to award degrees but to nurture a generation of young innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators.

The response to the programme shows that when young people are given the right opportunities, they can build businesses, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy," he said. Bains added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab’s Sikhya Kranti is preparing young people “not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but to create tomorrow’s opportunities." 925 Institutions Covered In First Year The two-credit compulsory course was launched during the 2025-26 academic session across 20 universities, 494 colleges, 320 ITIs and 91 polytechnics, covering a total of 925 higher and technical education institutions in Punjab. Unlike conventional classroom-based learning, the programme focuses on practical entrepreneurial skills, including identifying business opportunities, customer discovery, market validation, business planning, digital marketing, pricing strategies, financial planning, communication and problem-solving. As part of the initiative, nearly 57,000 students, or around 60 per cent of participants, actively engaged in practical business activities during the academic year. Students Launch Businesses Across Multiple Sectors Students participating in the programme started ventures across sectors such as e-commerce, bakery and food services, digital content creation, coding, professional services, graphic designing, fitness and wellness, retail, beauty and personal care, agriculture-based enterprises, handicrafts and local service businesses. Among the student entrepreneurs, Sourav, a Computer Engineering student at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, launched Mock, in Matcha, a matcha beverage venture that generated around ₹90,000 through sales at college festivals and events.