Jalandhar, January 30, 2026: At the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, the distribution of the Post Matric Scholarship Punjab scheme for more than 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) students was formally launched. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that under the “Rangla Punjab” mission, an allocation of Rs 271 crore for post-matric scholarships clearly reflects the government’s commitment to building a better future for children. He said that while Congress, Akali Dal and BJP focused on protecting their own families during their time in power, the Aam Aadmi Party government is solely focused on securing the future of Punjab’s youth.
Highlighting a 35 percent increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to 2020-21, the Chief Minister said this growth stands as strong evidence of the government’s education reforms. He added that scholarships are not just financial assistance but a powerful tool for self-reliance. The government has made a major effort to correct a system that had been neglected for years, as delays in fund release and misuse earlier prevented many students from even appearing in examinations.
Sharing excerpts from the event on X, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that scholarships were distributed to SC students at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, marking the beginning of scholarship distribution for over 2.7 lakh students across the state. The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that children from needy families are able to pursue higher education. Compared to 2020-21, the number of students receiving scholarships in 2024-25 has increased by 35 percent. He said the scholarship is not merely monetary support but a strong means of making students self-reliant. The effort is to ensure that no child is deprived of education or forced to abandon dreams due to lack of money.
While addressing students during the scholarship distribution ceremony, the Chief Minister said that from scams to the “Rangla Punjab” mission, the post-matric scholarship scheme has emerged as a powerful instrument of social change. The scheme has given wings to the dreams of lakhs of SC students who are now moving towards higher education. Beneficiaries present at the event welcomed the initiative with loud applause.
Recalling the period from 2017 to 2020, the Chief Minister said the scheme had almost come to a standstill, forcing educational institutions to withhold students’ degrees. He said a scam had taken place under the scheme, and funds meant for the education of children from weaker sections were misappropriated, depriving them of rightful opportunities.
Emphasising the importance of education, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that education is the only way to change the destiny of weaker and backward sections. Unfortunately, previous governments deliberately kept these students away from books, whereas the present government is giving them an opportunity to fulfil their dreams and reach new heights. He congratulated parents, saying their sacrifices and hard work are a true source of inspiration for students.
The Chief Minister also recited a verse by Sant Ram Udasi, “Maghda Rahen Ve Surja Kammian De Vihre,” and said that the poem inspires people to always believe in hard work. He urged youth to set clear goals in life and work tirelessly to achieve them.
He said the objective of the initiative is to spread the light of education to every corner of Punjab. The scheme reflects the government’s commitment to social justice and is inspired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon to end social inequality.
The Chief Minister said the scheme is meant for SC students from families with an annual income of less than Rs 2.50 lakh and is being implemented across Punjab with complete transparency. The budget has been increased from Rs 245 crore to Rs 271 crore. For the first time, biometric authentication has been made mandatory for students, institutional heads and nodal officers to prevent fraud.
He added that an accountable system has been introduced on the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Portal. Reiterating that Post Matric Scholarship Punjab is not just financial aid but a pathway to self-reliance, the Chief Minister said the government is firmly committed to ensuring that no talented child’s dream remains unfulfilled due to financial constraints.
