Chandigarh, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government will launch a statewide awareness and facilitation campaign to clear misconceptions over Backward Class (BC) Certificates and ensure that all eligible applicants receive benefits available under the prescribed rules, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Dr. Baljit Kaur said eligible applicants in several places had faced difficulties because of incorrect interpretation of the guidelines. She said the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government would ensure uniform, transparent and effective implementation of BC Certificate rules across Punjab.
The Minister clarified that eligibility for a BC Certificate is determined solely by the status of an applicant’s parents. The employment, income or social status of the applicant’s spouse does not affect eligibility. Similarly, the status of an uncle, aunt or any other relative cannot be considered for determining eligibility.
She said applicants whose parents fall within the prescribed categories covering constitutional functionaries, specified Class-I or Class-II officers, certain professionals, property criteria or other creamy-layer conditions are not eligible for BC category benefits. However, she stressed that an applicant cannot be denied a BC Certificate merely because their parents are Class-III or Class-IV employees and their annual income is being considered contrary to the prescribed rules.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also made it clear that an application cannot be rejected simply because the applicant’s parents or other family members had never previously obtained a BC Certificate. Anyone meeting the prescribed eligibility conditions can apply for a certificate for the first time.
She said meetings would be held with all Deputy Commissioners to ensure uniform implementation across the state. Simple guidelines explaining eligibility and creamy-layer provisions will be displayed at Sewa Kendras, DC offices and other certificate-issuing centres. Awareness posters and printed material will also be made available.
Highlighting welfare measures for Backward Classes, the Minister said nearly 76,000 beneficiaries had received about ₹391 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme since 2022. BC students are also covered under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, while the state continues to pursue the Centre for enhancement of scholarship amounts.
She said BACKFINCO provides concessional loans to eligible BC beneficiaries for self-employment. Two 100-seat hostels, one each for boys and girls, are being established at Punjabi University, Patiala, to support higher education.
Under the Top Class Education Scheme, 210 seats have been earmarked across 12 premier institutions, with around 179 students applying this year.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said eligible BC students in empanelled schools would receive approximately ₹75,000 annually for Classes IX and X and around ₹1.25 lakh annually for Classes XI and XII under the Top Class School Education Scheme. Nearly 6,000 schools will be listed on the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Portal to provide students and parents access to information through a single platform.
The Minister appealed to the media to help spread accurate information, noting that the BC Certificate is a key document for availing reservation in education and government employment as well as benefits under various welfare schemes.
She expressed confidence that the awareness campaign would eliminate misconceptions, promote uniform implementation of the rules and ensure that every eligible beneficiary receives their rightful entitlement.
Special Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Ravinder Singh, IAS; Director Vimmi Bhullar, IAS; Chairman, Punjab State Backward Classes Commission, Malkit Singh Thind; Nodal Officer, Department of Social Justice, Sukhsagar Singh; and other senior departmental officers were present at the press conference.
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