From tomorrow, a fresh batch of 650 students will begin their one-month residential training, and the government is already preparing for a winter camp that will host 2,000 students. The Punjab government has committed to providing three months of fully funded residential accommodation and facilities for students in these programs.
“We don’t treat this as a temporary measure. We have institutionalized it,” said Bains. “We also plan to publish detailed data soon about which student is going to which IIT, so that these stories can inspire thousands more.”
More Than Just Results — A Movement
This year, 260 students from Punjab government schools cleared JEE Mains, and 44 of them cracked JEE Advanced — a feat that was once considered unimaginable.
Manish Sisodia, AAP’s Punjab in-charge and Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister, celebrated the achievement with a heartfelt message on social media. “There was a time when Punjab’s government schools didn’t even have walls,” he wrote. “Today, from those very schools, dreams are flying directly to IIT.”
He called it a historic day, crediting the Kejriwal-Mann model of education for turning public schools into centers of excellence. “This isn’t a fluke. This is what happens when a government believes that every child deserves quality education, regardless of caste, income, or social status,” Sisodia stated.
The Human Side of Triumph
The most powerful part of this story, however, lies in the personal tales of struggle and resilience.
Arshdeep Singh, another IIT aspirant, comes from a family where his mother works as a sanitation worker. Despite their circumstances, she stood firm by her son, ensuring he never skipped a class, no matter how late her work shift ended.
Jaspreet Singh’s father earns just ₹7000 a month, yet never once hesitated to support his son’s dream. And now, Jaspreet is heading to IIT, his father beaming with silent pride.
Then there is Lakhwinder Singh, a student from a Dalit family, who not only cracked JEE but is now seen as a symbol of inspiration in his entire village. He is breaking barriers that have long kept generations confined to social and economic limitations.
Creating Equal Opportunity
“This is not just about clearing an exam,” said Minister Bains. “It’s about creating a level playing field. We want every student in Punjab, regardless of where they come from, to be able to say: ‘I can dream of IIT, and I can achieve it.’”
With teachers like Raman Khurana, platforms like PhysicsWallah working for free, and dedicated government action, Punjab’s model is fast becoming a beacon for other states.
The Road Ahead
As these 44 students now prepare to step into India’s top engineering institutes, the road ahead is filled with both excitement and responsibility. They carry not just their dreams, but the dreams of thousands of other students who will follow.
They are proof that with the right support, even the smallest village can produce an IITian. Even a family that earns less than minimum wage can raise an innovator, a future startup founder, or a world-class engineer.
From classrooms that once didn’t have ceilings, to the most elite colleges of the nation — these students have already crossed the most difficult bridge. What comes next is only the beginning.
As Jaspreet Kaur puts it, “I am not afraid anymore. I know where I am going. And I will take my parents with me to every milestone.”
