Chandigarh, June 2: A new state program called “Bright Minds Punjab 2026” commenced on Monday, marking a major effort by the state government to elevate classroom standards and celebrate high achievers. Speaking at the launch event at Virasat-e-Khalsa in Rupnagar district, Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains announced that government institutes will introduce Artificial Intelligence education into classrooms starting from Class 6 to prepare the younger generation for an evolving job market.
The program’s initial session honored more than 600 students from the Rupnagar region who achieved scores above 85% in their Class 12 final board assessments. In tandem with the awards, the ministry confirmed a structural shift toward full transparency by deciding to host evaluated PSEB board exam papers on an open online platform. This policy will give students a direct look at their graded papers to build institutional trust.
“Open access to evaluated copies will build trust and fairness in the education system,” Bains noted, adding that the state’s current first-place position in the NITI Aayog school education index reflects the positive impact of these modern updates.
The administration plans to carry the “Bright Minds” sessions into every single district, providing a platform for pupils to voice their specific expectations and design ideas for the school system. This direct interaction between policymakers and students marks a unique shift in how the state gathers community feedback.
Participating in the discussions, AAP Punjab Affairs Incharge Manish Sisodia asserted that providing excellent education to every single household is a baseline requirement for regional advancement. He maintained that maintaining the complete integrity of the academic environment remains a shared duty between teachers and state authorities.
“Every home and every child must have access to quality education,” Sisodia affirmed, pointing out that consistent efforts and original concepts are vital to sustaining top-tier performance. “A nation’s progress depends entirely on its education system.”
Senior administrative representatives, including School Education Administrative Secretary Ms. Sonali Giri and Secondary School Education Director SS Bal, attended the launch to support the state’s updated academic roadmap.
