Punjab launches entrepreneurship mindset course to turn students into job creators

Beginning 2025-25 session, course to be introduced in 20 govt, pvt universities, 320 ITIs, and 91 polytechnic colleges

Chandigarh | October 10, 2025 08:57 AM IST

3 min read

Highlighting the course’s scope, Kejriwal said Punjab is the first state to introduce EMC at the higher education level

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal Thursday launched the Entrepreneurship Mindset Course (EMC) for universities, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and polytechnic colleges with an aim to shift the focus of education “from producing job seekers to nurturing job creators,” positioning Punjab as a future hub of innovation and business.

“Despite spending 17 years in education, students often fail to earn a livelihood or contribute meaningfully to society. This is a systemic failure because the country still follows the colonial-era education system, which was designed by the British to produce clerks. The EMC will inspire youth to think creatively, take risks, and contribute to the socio-economic development of Punjab and India,” said Kejriwal.

Punjabis, he said, are born entrepreneurs and this course will be helpful in harnessing their potential.

Highlighting the course’s scope, Kejriwal said Punjab is the first state to introduce EMC at the higher education level. From the academic year 2025-26, the course will be introduced in 20 government and private universities, 320 ITIs, and 91 polytechnic colleges, covering 1.50 lakh students. It will be mandatory for students pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Technology (BTech), and Bachelor of Vocation (BVoc) programmes.

“From the 2026-27 academic year, the course will be linked to all other degree programmes and become mandatory for students in every semester, enabling them to learn how to conduct business practically. By 2028-29 academic year, the course will reach 5 lakh students across Punjab,” he added.

The EMC will be an AI-enabled, multilingual (Punjabi, Hindi, and English) digital platform, offering practical training in key business skills such as communication, financial management, budgeting, marketing, and business operations. The aim is to equip students with the tools needed to develop ideas, launch ventures, and create employment opportunities.

CM Mann termed the initiative a “new model for an emerging world” and said it blends personality development with idea generation. “Punjab’s youth are full of talent and potential. We are committed to providing them with the right launch pad to achieve their dreams,” he said.

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Citing examples of successful Punjabis abroad, Mann noted that 45% of engineers in Boeing are from state.

He also criticized past governments for neglecting education and youth development. “Earlier, politics was played at the cost of the future of our children. Parents were so worried they sent their children abroad. But things are changing now. When I took office, only 33% of college seats were filled. Today, it’s 100%,” Mann said.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia praised the move as historic, saying it will revolutionize how education is perceived. “Every year, 1.5 crore students graduate in India, but only 15 lakh get jobs. EMC will bridge this gap by teaching students how to earn while learning,” he said and warned that without such interventions, India would continue to lag behind as a developing country.

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