Punjab Mandates Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum in All Universities

• Mandatory “Entrepreneurship Mindset” Curriculum to Be Rolled Out Statewide in All Universities of Punjab (Effective Academic Year 2025-26)

Chandigarh, India, July 11, 2025 — A mandatory “Entrepreneurship Mindset” curriculum will be implemented in all universities across Punjab, starting from the upcoming academic year 2025-26.

This initiative aims to cultivate entrepreneurial qualities and skills among students, focusing on aspects beyond just business. The curriculum will include various entrepreneurial stories, case studies, and mindfulness activities.

The National Education Policy 2020 promotes a transformed education system based on experiential, multidisciplinary, and skill-based learning. To facilitate this transformation, the Department of Higher Education, Government of Punjab, established a Working Group on Higher Education Reforms, comprising the following members:

Chairperson:
Dr. Karamjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Members:

• Dr. Susheel Mittal, Vice-Chancellor, I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar
• Dr. Dharamjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar
• Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Kashi University, Bathinda
• Mr. Pratham Mittal, CEO, Masters’ Union
• Mr. Anurag Kundu, Member, Punjab Development Commission (PDC), Government of Punjab
• Mr. Girish Dayalan, IAS, Director, Department of Higher Education, Punjab
• Ms. Surabhi Malik, IAS, CEO, Startup Punjab
• Mr. Moneesh Kumar, IAS, Director, Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab
• Mr. Maninder Singh, Director (Research), Rayat Bahra University
• Dr. Monica Gulati, Senior Dean, Lovely Professional University
• Dr. Narinder Kaur Multani, Dean (Academics), Punjabi University, Patiala
• Dr. Shailendra Sharma, Educationist and Education Advisor, Delhi
• Mr. Somveer Anand, CEO, Innovation Punjab
• Ms. Ankita Dubey, Senior Manager, Udhyam Learning Foundation

Member Secretary:
Mr. Jatinder Pal Singh, Deputy Director, Department of Higher Education, Punjab, Chandigarh.

During its meeting on May 28, 2025, the Working Group included Dr. Jagdeep Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, and Dr. S.K. Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur, as special invitees.

After extensive deliberations, the Working Group recommended that, following due process, all public and private universities in Punjab implement the Entrepreneurship Mindset Course in the following degree programs:

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc)

The Government of Punjab has officially endorsed the recommendations put forward by the Working Group. It has issued a formal advisory directing all public and private universities to adopt these recommendations.

Mandatory Implementation for All Students and Semesters

• All universities are required to implement the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum as a compulsory course for every undergraduate student during each semester of their degree program.
• Each student is expected to develop a business or service idea each semester, refine it, and execute it, thereby demonstrating progress following specific benchmarks established for each semester.
• These benchmarks should encompass criteria such as viability, innovation, revenue generation, customer engagement, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Universities are advised to assess students based on their real-world performance as well as the evidence of work-based progression and learning acquired throughout the course.

This initiative is considered both urgent and transformative, as it aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and supports Punjab’s vision of developing a future-ready, economically self-reliant generation of graduates.

The Secretary to the Government of Punjab, in the Department of Higher Education, has issued an essential advisory to all Vice-Chancellors of Universities across the state. This directive urges prompt action to implement the mandatory “Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum.”

The advisory has been delivered to the Vice Chancellors of the following Universities:

1. Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala
2. Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
3. Vice-Chancellor, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Patiala
4. Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
5. Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala
6. Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University, Rajpura
7. Vice-Chancellor, Plaksha University, SAS Nagar
8. Vice-Chancellor, Amity University, SAS Nagar
9. Vice-Chancellor, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
10. Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, SAS Nagar
11. Vice-Chancellor, Guru Kashi University, Bathinda
12. Vice-Chancellor, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar
13. Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh
14. Vice-Chancellor, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib
15. Vice-Chancellor, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo
16. Vice-Chancellor, CT University, Ludhiana
17. Vice-Chancellor, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh
18. Vice-Chancellor, DAV University, Jalandhar
19. Vice-Chancellor, GNA University, Phagwara
20. Vice-Chancellor, Rayat Bahra University, SAS Nagar
21. Vice-Chancellor, Lamrin Tech Skills University, SBS Nagar
22. Vice-Chancellor, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh

• Panjab University, located in Chandigarh, is one of the institutions tasked with implementing the Punjab Government’s mandatory “Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum.” To effectively fulfill this responsibility, the university has the opportunity to collaborate with peer institutions such as Sant Baba Bhag Singh University in Jalandhar, Guru Kashi University in Bathinda, Akal University in Talwandi Sabo, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University in Patiala, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University in Fatehgarh Sahib, Desh Bhagat University in Mandi Gobindgarh, and Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. This collaboration will enhance the collective efforts to instill an entrepreneurial mindset among students throughout the region, aligning with government directives.

• Following in the footsteps of its peers, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University in Jalandhar and Guru Kashi University in Bathinda — both of which have Vice-Chancellors serving on the Punjab Government Working Group on Higher Education Reforms and have commenced the implementation of the mandated curriculum — Panjab University Chandigarh is now formulating an academic roadmap to execute this reform across its network of over 200 affiliated colleges. As reported by The Times of India, Professor Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, affirmed the institution’s commitment to executing the reform in a manner that effectively engages both students and faculty.

Source: Government of Punjab, Chandigarh