Punjab has made history. In a first-of-its-kind educational triumph, 40 students from government schools across the state have successfully cracked the JEE Advanced 2025, earning a coveted seat at India’s premier engineering institutes — the IITs.
This milestone isn’t just a win for the students — it’s a powerful statement about the changing face of public education in India.
These 40 students hail from various Schools of Eminence and Meritorious Schools — key education initiatives by the Punjab government aimed at leveling the playing field for economically disadvantaged students. Many of them come from families with annual incomes of less than ₹1 lakh, yet their aspirations have taken them all the way to the IITs.
One shining example is Arshdeep Singh from Samana’s Shaheed Flight Lt Mohit Kumar Garg School of Eminence. Coming from a humble background, Arshdeep battled financial constraints with quiet grit — and is now IIT-bound.
“These children are not just exam-toppers; they are proof that talent thrives when given opportunity,” said Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
This remarkable success is no coincidence — it’s the direct outcome of targeted educational reforms implemented by the Punjab government. The Schools of Eminence have been instrumental in providing world-class infrastructure, dedicated coaching for competitive exams, and a strong emphasis on skill development. Complementing this, Meritorious Schools offer free residential education to high-performing students from underprivileged backgrounds, ensuring they have the right environment to excel. Additionally, there has been a sharp focus on strengthening STEM education, enhancing English proficiency, and introducing robust mentorship programs, all of which have played a pivotal role in transforming potential into performance.
These students received expert coaching for JEE through both in-house and partnered educational platforms — ensuring they were academically and emotionally equipped to take on one of India’s toughest exams.
Punjab’s success is part of a growing wave. In Jharkhand, 13 students from government-run free coaching centers also cracked the JEE Advanced this year under the Aakanksha Scheme. States like Rajasthan and Delhi are also witnessing similar trends, indicating that India’s public education sector is evolving — and fast.
This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about rewriting the narrative. Students once seen as “too poor to dream big” are now IIT aspirants — and achievers.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains rightly called this a “revolution in Punjab’s education system,” promising that this is just the beginning.
The success of these 40 students is more than just an exam result — it’s a celebration of resilience, reform, and raw potential. As they walk into IIT campuses this year, they carry with them the dreams of millions of children still waiting for their shot.
