Breaking: Punjab to set up two Digital Universities, announces Harjot Bains
Bill to be tabled in Monsoon Session
Harjot Bains Says Punjab on Course to Become India's Education Hub; Blockchain Technology Planned for Board Exams
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 27, 2026: Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday announced that the state government will establish two new digital universities as part of its push to transform Punjab into a national and global education hub.
Speaking in Chandigarh, Bains said the Digital Universities Bill will be introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The minister said the nature of education is evolving rapidly worldwide and Punjab is adapting to these changes by creating digital universities that will make quality higher education accessible across the state. He added that leading education technology brand Physics Wallah will establish its first technology university in Punjab.
Bains also announced that Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur University, envisioned as a world-class institution, is under development. He said land for the university has already been identified and work is progressing at a fast pace.
Explaining the concept of digital universities, Bains said students in remote districts such as Gurdaspur will be able to attend advanced courses delivered from campuses located in cities like Mohali through digitally enabled classrooms.
Claiming that Punjab is witnessing a transformation in education, the minister said the state, which once saw students leaving for opportunities abroad, is now attracting students from 28 states across India and more than 70 countries. He said the government's objective is to make Punjab the country's leading state in both school and higher education.
Responding to allegations from opposition parties, Bains asserted that not a single examination paper under the Education Department has been leaked during his tenure. He challenged critics to produce evidence of any paper leak, saying he was making the claim with "100 per cent responsibility."
The minister accused opposition parties of attempting to tarnish Punjab's image and said the government is committed to making the examination system more transparent. He revealed that Punjab is preparing to become the first state in India to integrate blockchain technology into its education board's examination system to enhance security and credibility.
Highlighting recent achievements, Bains said 882 students from government schools who cleared the NEET examination have been honoured by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He described the achievement as a significant milestone for Punjab's government school education model.
Bains also announced that the ordinance regulating private school fees and curbing arbitrary fee hikes will be introduced as a full-fledged legislation during the upcoming Assembly session.
Commenting on the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Bains described it as a victory for the country's youth and examination aspirants.