Government Jobs in Punjab Are Awarded Solely on Merit, Says CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state government has established a transparent system in which government jobs are awarded strictly on the basis of merit, without the influence of money or political recommendations. Addressing a felicitation ceremony in Zirakpur for students who cleared the NEET 2026 examination, the Chief Minister said that a record 882 students from Punjab government schools have qualified the national medical entrance test this year. He added that the state government has already provided more than 68,000 government jobs through a transparent recruitment process based entirely on merit, reflecting its commitment to honesty, transparency, and equal opportunity. Congratulating the successful candidates, Mann said the achievement was made possible through the government's emphasis on quality education, free coaching, mentorship, and career counselling. According to him, these initiatives have enabled students from government schools to compete with the best across the country while laying a strong foundation for a progressive Punjab. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister interacted with the students and honoured those who had cleared NEET 2026. Many students requested his autograph, which he gladly signed, while others presented him with hand-drawn portraits as a token of appreciation. Sharing details of the event on his X account, Mann said that the success of government school students once again proves that when children receive quality education and equal opportunities, no dream is beyond their reach. He noted that 882 government school students qualified NEET for the first time in the state's history and also highlighted that Aryan Gupta, who secured All India Rank 1 in NEET, belongs to Punjab. The Chief Minister said the accomplishment reflects the dedication of students, the unwavering support of parents, and the tireless efforts of teachers. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that every child has access to the opportunities, resources, and guidance needed to achieve their goals, describing educational transformation as the true foundation of "Rangla Punjab." Congratulating the students, parents, and teachers, Mann expressed confidence that the successful candidates would become dedicated doctors and serve society with commitment. He pointed out that only 82 students from Punjab government schools had qualified NEET in 2022, whereas the number has now increased to 882 in 2026. Calling it a historic milestone, he said the achievement reflects the transformational changes introduced in the state's education system. The Chief Minister noted that nearly 20 lakh students appeared for the NEET examination across the country this year. He praised Punjab's students for performing exceptionally well in one of India's toughest competitive examinations but added that the number of successful candidates could have been even higher if the examination had not been affected by a paper leak. Referring to incidents of examination paper leaks at the national level, Mann said such cases were reported in 2017, 2024, and again in 2026. He described the situation as unfortunate, saying that many deserving students suffered due to the leaks, with some even deciding not to appear for the examination. He termed the issue a failure of the Central Government and said it was unacceptable. Drawing a comparison with Punjab's record, the Chief Minister said that in more than four years of his government's tenure, not a single examination paper has been leaked in Punjab. He added that when an attempt to facilitate cheating during the recent Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination came to light, the government acted immediately. According to Mann, all those involved in the cheating racket were arrested, and 21 accused were sent to jail. He assured Punjab's youth that the government would never allow paper leaks or cheating to jeopardize their future. Highlighting the state's recruitment policy, Mann said government jobs in Punjab are awarded strictly on merit through a transparent process. He stated that no recommendation, bribery, or favouritism has any place in recruitment and added that several candidates have secured government jobs multiple times on the strength of their merit. He also said many Punjabi youths are now returning from abroad to work in the state. The Chief Minister said the government is preparing students to face tougher competitive examinations. According to him, students now seek more challenging question papers because they are confident in their abilities, marking a significant shift from the past. He further said the government is strengthening the education system by sending teachers for advanced training to institutions in Finland and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), enabling them to enhance their skills and deliver world-class education. Mann said the results of these efforts are evident as government school students continue to qualify prestigious examinations such as NEET. He advised students to remain humble despite success, emphasizing that while confidence and a positive attitude are essential, humility and hard work remain the true keys to long-term achievement. The Chief Minister recalled that when his government assumed office in 2022, Punjab ranked 27th in school education. Today, he said, the state has emerged as the country's leading performer in school education due to continuous reforms and sustained efforts to strengthen government schools. He observed that government schools were once viewed as institutions meant only for underprivileged children, but the establishment of Schools of Eminence and large-scale reforms have transformed the sector, enabling Punjab to overtake Kerala and emerge as the leading state in school education. Using an analogy, Mann said that just as an airport runway enables an aircraft to take off smoothly, the Punjab Government is creating the foundation that allows young people to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. He urged students to build a distinct identity and leave a lasting mark on society. The Chief Minister encouraged students to remain grounded after achieving success and to continue believing in hard work as the only path to excellence. He made a special appeal to girls to use education as a powerful tool for social change, noting that they are excelling in nearly every field, including areas once considered male-dominated. He also stressed that women's empowerment is essential for building an equal society and expressed confidence that girls would continue setting new milestones through education. Sharing an emotional message with the students, Mann said the determination shown by the country's youth compelled the Central Government to respond to their demands at Jantar Mantar. He expressed confidence that Punjab's students possess the intelligence, energy, and determination to achieve success and serve humanity as capable doctors. The Chief Minister concluded by stating that India can emerge as a global leader only if Punjab continues to remain at the forefront of national progress. He said Punjab has always played a leading role in ensuring the country's food security, contributing to the freedom struggle, safeguarding the nation's borders, and bringing laurels in sports. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a prosperous and vibrant "Rangla Punjab." He once again congratulated the successful students and wished them a bright future, describing their achievement as only the beginning of a promising journey. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, and other dignitaries also congratulated the students. They appreciated the Chief Minister's efforts to transform Punjab's education sector and strengthen the foundation of "Rangla Punjab." Government School Students Script a New Success Story in NEET Punjab's education reforms have produced notable academic results, with 882 government school students clearing NEET 2026, more than double the 437 students who qualified in 2024. Over the past three years, 2,166 government school students have cleared NEET, while 786 students have qualified the JEE examination, highlighting the growing academic excellence in the state's public education system. Among the 882 successful NEET candidates, 686 are girls, while 340 belong to the Scheduled Caste community, reflecting the government's focus on inclusive and equitable access to quality education. The transformation has been supported by the PACE (Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence) programme, which provides free coaching, mentorship, mock tests, and career guidance in collaboration with organisations such as Avanti and Mantra for Change. The state has also strengthened its education system by recruiting more than 28,000 permanent teachers, establishing computer laboratories in 5,012 government schools, installing 8,268 interactive panels, upgrading educational infrastructure, and ensuring international-level teacher training.