Employment expansion accelerated through Punjab Government initiatives
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): With the objective of curbing the increasing trend of youth migration abroad, significant progress has been achieved in employment generation through sustained initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann. Through a multidimensional and structured strategy, large-scale employment opportunities have been created, reinforcing confidence among the youth and ensuring viable career prospects within the state.
Since April 2022, more than 61,000 government jobs have been provided across various departments. Simultaneously, extensive opportunities have been facilitated for skilled youth in the private sector, with a clear focus on retaining talent within Punjab. During 2025, employment support was extended to 48,912 candidates through 959 placement camps, while 10,064 youth were assisted through loan camps to establish self-employment ventures.
Under the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), skill training has been imparted to 19,619 candidates, with placement processes currently underway. In addition, a dedicated State Skill Development Scheme has been formulated, under which youth are being prepared for global and corporate roles in collaboration with leading technology and industry partners such as Microsoft, IBM, and NASSCOM.
The state's official employment portal, PGRKAM, has emerged as a transformative platform in the employment ecosystem. To date, 22,41,165 job seekers and 20,669 employers have registered on the portal. Through this platform, 1,316 job fairs have been organised, significantly enhancing access to employment opportunities and effectively bridging the gap between skills and industry requirements.
In the defence sector, Punjab's training institutions have achieved notable national-level success. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI) recorded an exceptional 82.45 percent success rate in the National Defence Academy (NDA) examinations. During 2025, 34 cadets joined the NDA and equivalent academies, while 17 cadets were commissioned as officers in the armed forces.
Women's participation in defence services has also been significantly strengthened. The country's first state-run NDA Preparatory Wing for girls has been established at the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute. Under this initiative, 40 girls are currently undergoing training to become commissioned officers. Additionally, 10 female cadets have been selected for admission to various defence training academies, while 7 female cadets have already been commissioned as officers. During the year, 74 female cadets successfully qualified the written examinations of CDS, AFCAT, and NDA.
Through these sustained efforts, a firm commitment towards youth empowerment has been demonstrated by the Punjab Government. Each job created, each skill developed, and each entrepreneurial opportunity facilitated has contributed to building a robust employment ecosystem. These initiatives are playing a critical role in reducing youth migration and ensuring a secure, practical, and promising future for Punjab's youth within the state.