Punjab unveils expanded scholarships, overseas study window and PCS coaching for SC students: Dr Baljit Kaur
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 18, 2025:
Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has rolled out a slate of “historic” education measures for Scheduled Caste students, including a reworked Post‑Matric Scholarship (PMS), a new Overseas Scholarship Scheme for study at top global universities, and a two‑month PCS crash course at the Ambedkar Institute in Mohali, Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities Minister Dr Baljit Kaur announced at Punjab Bhawan.
Post‑Matric Scholarship reform and 35% surge in beneficiaries
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The PMS has been overhauled to plug leakages and ensure funds reach eligible students directly, with action taken against misappropriation, the minister said.
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Beneficiaries have risen from 1,76,842 in 2022 to 2,37,456 now—a 35% increase in three years; 6.78 lakh students have been covered in the current three‑year term versus 3.71 lakh in the previous five years.
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The 2025‑26 target is 2.70 lakh students, backed by awareness drives across schools and colleges.
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Under the Top Class Education scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT students (family income below ₹2.5 lakh), scholarships will now extend to 11 premier institutions in Punjab, including IIT Ropar, NIT Jalandhar, IIM Amritsar, NIPER Mohali, ISI Chandigarh, Thapar Patiala, RGNUL Patiala, IISER Mohali, NIT Mohali and IHM Gurdaspur.
Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SC students and children of landless agri labourers
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Eligible candidates (under 35 years, minimum 60% marks, parental income below ₹8 lakh) can pursue programs at any of the world’s top 500 universities.
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The government will fund visa, airfare, tuition, annual maintenance allowance of ₹13.17 lakh, contingency of ₹1.35 lakh, and medical insurance.
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A 30% reservation is earmarked for girls; a family can avail benefits for up to two children, and each student can benefit only once.
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Applications for 2025‑26 are open on the NOS portal (nosmsje.gov.in) from September 15 to October 24, 2025.
PCS crash course at Ambedkar Institute, Mohali
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A focused two‑month PCS crash course for SC, BC and minority students is being launched at Ambedkar Institute, Mohali.
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Applications will be accepted offline and via email from September 17 to 26; 40 candidates will be selected through an entrance test on September 30.
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The institute has been upgraded with ₹1.47 crore already spent and another ₹1.22 crore now being invested; faculty remuneration has been enhanced from ₹750 to ₹1,500 per hour to attract top trainers.
Commitment to access and equity
Dr Baljit Kaur said the government’s aim is to make higher education accessible, affordable and aspirational for every eligible child, adding that sustained investment in scholarships, global exposure, and competitive‑exam coaching will drive social and economic mobility for disadvantaged communities.