Punjab to launch free online coaching for civil service exams for 1,000 students

Punjab government will roll out a free online training programme for the Union Public Service Commission’s all‑India exam and the state civil service tests, covering a total of 1,000 college learners. Education Minister Harjot Bains has earmarked 750 seats for students studying in government colleges and another 250 for those in private institutions, the official release said.

Programme Details

The scheme aims to erase cost and distance obstacles that stop talented youth, especially from villages and low‑income families, from joining quality coaching. Selected candidates will receive live interactive classes, recorded lessons, study notes, rigorous mock tests, answer‑writing drills, regular evaluation, personal mentorship, doubt‑clearing sessions and interview preparation.

Reactions

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that every youngster in Punjab should be free to chase a dream, noting that a family’s inability to pay for coaching should not limit ambition. He linked the initiative to the broader "Punjab Sikhiya Kranti" drive, saying the state moves forward when its youth do. Education Minister Bains added that the real measure of success will be when a student from a small town believes that no goal is out of reach, and that the programme will give that belief the needed support and direction.

Context

Providing structured online preparation levels the playing field between students in remote areas and those near major coaching hubs, a step that aligns with India’s push to widen access to competitive‑exam training.