CHANDIGARH: Punjab’s brightest government school students soaked in knowledge at Winter Residential Coaching Camps organised under Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) program. Over 1700 students benefited from the transformative program designed to democratise access to high-quality competitive exam coaching, informed Punjab’s Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains informed that these camps, aimed at preparing government school students for the India’s top professional education institutions like IITs, NITs and AIIMS, saw 1728 students participation across three centres: Bathinda (601 students comprising 359 Girls, 242 Boys), Ludhiana (573 students: 327 Girls, 246 Boys) and SAS Nagar (Mohali) (554 students: 367 Girls, 187 Boys).
The initiative highlights Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to level the playing field for students from all socio-economic backgrounds. “The overwhelming response to PACE Winter Camps highlights the immense potential in our government schools. This initiative empowers youth, instills confidence and gives deserving students, irrespective of their circumstances, a fair shot at top institutions. We are building a robust ecosystem of excellence and equity,” said the Education Minister.
S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the winter camps were one of the most extensive drives being undertaken by the department, with a rigorous selection process. “Participants were chosen through a rigorous multi-stage selection process evaluating performance in standardized mock tests, conceptual clarity, academic consistency and teacher recommendations, ensuring that only the most dedicated aspirants made the cut form the cohort. The program is committed to inclusivity, reserving 20% seats at each centre for students from other government schools and drop-year aspirants, extending benefits beyond Schools of Eminence and Residential Schools for Meritorious Students,” he added.
The Education Minister said that the camps offered a comprehensive learning experience, led by expert faculty from top coaching organisations like Physics Wallah, Vidya Mandir and Avanti Fellows. “A structured curriculum focuses on concept strengthening and advanced problem-solving aligned with JEE and NEET patterns. Daily doubt-clearing sessions, one-on-one mentoring and holistic development modules on stress management, career guidance and recreational activities ensured the student’s well-being. Secure, fully residential facilities provided a conducive, distraction-free environment to the students,” he highlighted.
He expressed confidence that the Winter Residential Coaching Camps would significantly enhance competitive exams outcome by providing critical early exposure to Class 11th students and boost the final preparation of Class 12th aspirants. “Last year, 265 government school students cleared JEE Mains, 45 cracked JEE Advanced and 847 cleared NEET, proving the state government schools are now premier launchpads for the country’s top professional careers,” he highlighted.
Robust Government Arrangements Ensure Scale, Quality and Equity
The Punjab Government, through the Department of School Education, put in place comprehensive administrative and academic arrangements to ensure the success of the Winter Residential Coaching Camps 2025 under the PACE programme. Conducted across three fully residential centres in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Mohali, the camps were designed as one of the largest competitive exam support initiatives for government school students, with standardised academic planning, centralised monitoring and uniform curriculum delivery across locations. To ensure fairness and inclusion, the government reserved 20 percent seats at each centre for students from other government schools and drop-year aspirants, extending the benefits well beyond Schools of Eminence and Residential Schools for Meritorious Students.
The Punjab government also ensured end-to-end residential and welfare arrangements to create a distraction-free, high-intensity learning environment. Students were provided secure accommodation, nutritious meals, round-the-clock supervision, and access to medical and counselling support. Academic delivery was supported through partnerships with reputed coaching institutions, daily doubt-clearing sessions, structured mentorship, and holistic modules focusing on stress management and career guidance. These arrangements reflect the Punjab Government’s deliberate effort to institutionalise excellence, equity and student well-being while preparing government school students to compete confidently for IITs, NITs, AIIMS and other premier institutions.
