Punjab Selects 1,000 Students for Free Online UPSC Coaching

Punjab announces free online UPSC and PCS coaching for 1,000 college students, with live classes, study materials, mock tests, answer-writing practice, mentorship and interview guidance.

The Punjab government is introducing a free online coaching programme for 1,000 college students preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination and Punjab Civil Services (PCS) examinations. The initiative, led by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, aims to make structured civil services preparation accessible to students who face financial constraints or live far from established coaching centres.

Under the programme, 750 places will be allocated to students from government colleges and 250 to those studying in private colleges. The initiative seeks to reduce the financial and geographical barriers that often limit access to competitive examination coaching, particularly for students from rural areas, smaller towns and economically disadvantaged families.

Also read: Delhi University May Hold Entrance Test for One-Year PG Courses

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the government wants to ensure that a student's financial circumstances or location do not restrict their aspirations to join the civil services. The programme forms part of the state's broader Punjab Sikhiya Kranti initiative, which aims to expand educational opportunities and improve access to learning support.

The programme will offer selected students a structured academic support system covering different stages of civil services examination preparation. Instead of relying only on conventional online classroom sessions, the initiative combines teaching resources, assessments and individual guidance.

Students will receive access to live interactive classes and recorded lectures, allowing them to attend sessions and revisit lessons during their preparation. The programme will also provide study materials and test series to help candidates understand the examination syllabus, assess their progress and identify areas that require improvement.

Additional academic support will include answer-writing practice and evaluation, personalised mentorship and doubt-clearing sessions. Students will also receive interview guidance to help them prepare for the personality test stage of the civil services selection process.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains says the initiative aims to provide students in villages and smaller towns with structured preparation and academic guidance comparable to the support available in major coaching centres. The programme is intended to ensure that financial limitations do not determine how far students can pursue their career ambitions.

Also read: How Competitive Exam Preparation Affects Young Minds

Although the government has announced the programme and its proposed coverage of 1,000 students, it has not yet released the application schedule, detailed eligibility requirements or selection procedure. The commencement date for coaching classes is also awaited.

Interested students should follow announcements from the Punjab government's Department of Higher Education for updates on registration, selection criteria and programme commencement. The initiative is expected to extend free civil services preparation support to students across government and private colleges in the state.