Chandigarh, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said the state government will provide ₹15.72 crore in scholarship support to 39,320 students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme over the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
The minister said the initiative, being implemented by the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, is aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent deserving children from continuing their education.
According to Dr Baljit Kaur, ₹5.72 crore was released to 14,320 OBC students during 2025-26 under the scheme. The assistance, she said, helped reduce the financial burden on families and enabled students to continue their studies without interruption.
For 2026-27, the government has proposed ₹10 crore to extend scholarship assistance to 25,000 OBC students at the school level. The minister said the proposed support would enable more eligible students to pursue their education and work towards their future goals.
Dr Baljit Kaur said the combined allocation and assistance over the two years reflected the state government’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities to eligible students.
She described education as a key instrument of social transformation and empowerment, saying that access to education not only improves children’s prospects but also contributes to the progress of families, society and the state.
The minister said the Punjab Government was pursuing people-oriented and transparent policies for the welfare of all sections of society. Investment in children’s education, she added, would help build the foundation for an equal, prosperous and progressive Punjab and contribute to the government’s vision of a Rangla Punjab.
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