Sikhya Kranti 2.0: Punjab rolls out ₹3,500 crore education reform with World Bank support

Punjab is set to roll out an ambitious overhaul of its school education system with a ₹3,500 crore reform program backed by the World Bank, marking a major push to align learning outcomes with global standards.

The initiative, titled Punjab Sikhya Kranti 2.0, will run for six years and represents one of the largest investments in the state’s education sector.

The funding package includes a ₹2,500 crore loan from the World Bank along with ₹1,000 crore from the state government.

The reform plan focuses on strengthening three core areas: foundational learning, expansion of science and commerce education, and digital career guidance.

Under foundational learning, the state will introduce structured assessments and improved teaching methods to ensure basic literacy and numeracy among students.

The program also aims to expand access to science and commerce streams while upgrading vocational education to meet evolving industry demands.

As part of its digital push, the government plans to launch a statewide career guidance portal to offer personalized aptitude assessments and counseling support to students.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the partnership reflects Punjab’s rising credibility in the education sector, especially after the state secured a top position in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024.

"We are now preparing our education system to compete with the best in the world," Mann said.

The initiative is expected to move beyond infrastructure upgrades and focus on measurable outcomes, with a particular emphasis on improving employability and providing career guidance to senior secondary students.