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Sarkari Yojana
Punjab Expands 'Business Class' Scheme After ₹90 Crore Turnover in First Year
✍️ livemint.com
🗓 22 Jul 2026, 05:19 PM
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Punjab will broaden its 'Business Class' programme after student‑run ventures generated ₹90 crore in the first year, the state government said on Tuesday.
The Punjab government announced plans to scale up its 'Business Class' initiative, a scheme that provides training, mentorship and seed funding to student entrepreneurs. In its inaugural year, the programme helped launch several ventures that collectively earned ₹90 crore, according to officials.
The expansion will see more colleges and universities across the state join the network, with additional funding earmarked for incubation centres and industry linkages. State Minister for Science and Technology, who unveiled the plan, said the success of the first cohort demonstrates the model’s potential to boost local employment and innovation.
The scheme, launched last year, offers a blend of classroom learning and hands‑on projects, enabling students to develop business plans, secure investors and launch startups before graduation. Punjab’s move comes as part of a broader push to position the state as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship in North India.
The expansion will see more colleges and universities across the state join the network, with additional funding earmarked for incubation centres and industry linkages. State Minister for Science and Technology, who unveiled the plan, said the success of the first cohort demonstrates the model’s potential to boost local employment and innovation.
The scheme, launched last year, offers a blend of classroom learning and hands‑on projects, enabling students to develop business plans, secure investors and launch startups before graduation. Punjab’s move comes as part of a broader push to position the state as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship in North India.