The Government of Punjab has proposed a ₹19,279 crore budget for the education sector in FY 2026–27, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous financial year, with a focus on improving school infrastructure, digital learning, career guidance and higher education institutions.
The government stated that education reforms in the state have focused on improving infrastructure, strengthening foundational learning and creating centres of excellence in government schools.
Punjab government schools recently ranked first in learning outcomes in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 conducted by the Government of India, surpassing states including Kerala.
To further strengthen the education system, the state will launch Sikhiya Kranti 2.0 with an investment of ₹3,500 crore over the next six years.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and will focus on:
Strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy
Expanding science and commerce streams
Teacher training and leadership development
Career counselling systems
Modernizing school governance
The government reported major infrastructure upgrades across around 20,000 government schools in the state.
Key developments include:
99% of schools now have boundary walls
10,095 toilets constructed
More than 1 lakh desks provided
6,200 new classrooms built
4,700 classrooms renovated
In addition, 8,286 sanitation workers and over 3,000 security personnel have been deployed in schools, while 1,798 campus managers support administrative work.
For FY 2026–27, the government has allocated ₹690 crore to further strengthen school infrastructure, including a statewide whitewashing and beautification drive.
The state currently has 118 Schools of Eminence, which have received ₹193 crore for infrastructure, technology and student facilities.
In 2025, 267 students from government schools qualified for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) and 847 qualified for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a significant increase compared to 2022.
The government will also introduce a statewide career counselling framework covering around 7.35 lakh students from Classes IX to XII.
A career counselling portal will also be launched to provide information about higher education and job opportunities.
Digital infrastructure in schools
To improve digital learning, the government has invested ₹395 crore in upgrading technology in government schools.
Under this initiative:
38,649 desktop computers are being distributed
Computer labs will be set up in all secondary and senior secondary schools
8,268 interactive flat panels are being installed in 3,694 schools
The state government has also given in-principle approval for a world-class university in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The university will be developed on a mission mode basis.
The government expanded seating capacity in government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) from 35,000 to 52,000 seats.
Additionally, ITIs have been started in 11 jails to provide inmates with vocational training for rehabilitation.
Under the PM‑SETU initiative, selected ITIs are being developed as Centres of Excellence, with support from institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology Ropar to promote learning in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems.
For technical education, the government has proposed a budget allocation of ₹569 crore for FY 2026–27.
The Punjab government has also earmarked ₹1,760 crore as grants for state universities, including:
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Punjab Agricultural University
Panjab University
Punjabi University
Guru Nanak Dev University
The funding will support academic development, research activities and infrastructure improvements across these institutions.