There was a time when the dream of becoming an engineer seemed beyond reach for many children from ordinary families, largely because of expensive coaching and limited financial resources. Today, several such students from government schools are studying at prestigious institutions such as NIT Jalandhar, pursuing disciplines including Civil, Mechanical and Electronics Engineering. Some have already completed their engineering education and are now building careers in reputed industrial organisations.
A significant contribution to this journey has come from the National Super 100 Programme, implemented through a partnership between HMEL and CSRL. The programme provides free JEE coaching and structured academic guidance to talented students from economically weaker backgrounds. Through this initiative, students from government schools in Punjab have successfully cleared one of India’s most competitive engineering entrance examinations and secured admission to prestigious institutions, including NITs and IITs.
For many of these students, the achievement represents much more than admission to a premier institution. It reflects the transformation of aspirations into opportunities for families where parents depend on farming, daily wage work or small occupations to support their households. Their journeys are also inspiring other rural families who aspire to provide a better future for their children.
A Son of a One-Acre Farmer’s Family Reaches NIT
The story of Abhay Sama, from Jandwala village in Fazilka, reflects the impact of the initiative at a deeply personal level. With limited financial resources, Abhay had never imagined that pursuing engineering education would be easy. His father is battling a serious illness, while the responsibility of managing the family largely rests on his mother. The family owns only one acre of land, making the cost of private coaching difficult to afford.
The National Super 100 Programme emerged as an opportunity for Abhay. Following his selection, free residential coaching in Delhi, along with guidance from experienced teachers, helped him prepare for the JEE examination. His hard work eventually earned him admission to NIT Jalandhar in Electronics Engineering.
Ajay Turns Financial Constraints into an Opportunity
Ajay Kumar, from Abohar, also moved closer to his engineering dream through the programme. Despite financial constraints, he remained committed to his studies and benefited from free JEE preparation in Delhi. His perseverance helped him secure admission to NIT Jalandhar for Civil Engineering.
For Ajay, the achievement represents not merely admission to a prestigious institution, but also the fulfilment of aspirations that once seemed difficult because of limited family resources.
Similarly, Prabhjot Kaur from Phullewala village in Bathinda secured a place at NIT after qualifying the JEE examination and was also felicitated by the Chief Minister of Punjab. Other students, including Pawandeep Singh from Fazilka and Sahil Kumar from Maur, have also pursued engineering education after being associated with the National Super 100 Programme.
Transforming Lives Through Education
HMEL launched the National Super 100 Programme in partnership with CSRL in 2022, with the objective of supporting meritorious students from economically weaker sections in accessing premier technical institutions such as IITs and NITs. Over the years, students supported through the initiative have secured admission to institutions including IIT Guwahati, IIT Kharagpur and NIT Jalandhar.
For the 2026–27 academic session, 10 students have been selected for 11 months of free residential JEE coaching in Delhi following a competitive selection process. The selected students are Mehak from Ghudda village, Bathinda; Waris Singh from Mulowal, Sangrur; Narinder Singh from Lakkhewali Dhaba, Fazilka; Rajandeep Kaur from Malout; Kiran Rani from Halimwala, Fazilka; Yashika from Bathinda; Navneet Kaur from Guru Har Sahai, Firozpur; Sukhmani Kaur from Lehra Mohabbat, Bathinda; Lavleen from Bathinda; and Dilpreet Kaur from Harraipur village.
For these young students, the National Super 100 Programme represents more than access to free coaching. It is an opportunity to bridge the gap between talent and resources by providing academic guidance, structured preparation and access to pathways leading to higher education. Their journeys demonstrate how the right opportunities can help rural students transform their aspirations into meaningful educational and career possibilities.