‘No Cash, No Farmaish’, Only Merit-Based Govt Jobs in Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Chandigarh, July 26, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that Punjab has established a system where neither cash nor recommendations determine success, but merit alone prevails. He said that the record 882 students from Punjab Government schools qualifying NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) 2026 and more than 68,000 government jobs provided solely on merit through a transparent recruitment process stand as the strongest testimony to the state government’s commitment to honesty, transparency and equal opportunity. 
Felicitating the successful NEET candidates at a ceremony in Zirakpur, the Chief Minister said that the historic achievement had been made possible through sustained investments in quality education, free coaching, mentorship and career counselling, enabling government school students to compete with the best in the country and laying a strong foundation for a Rangla Punjab.
During the felicitation ceremony, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann honoured students who qualified NEET 2026 and interacted with them. In an emotional and memorable moment, several students requested the Chief Minister’s autograph, which he graciously signed. The students also presented hand-drawn portraits of the Chief Minister as a token of their affection and gratitude, making the occasion even more special.
Sharing a snippet from the felicitation ceremony, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “The meritorious students of Punjab Government schools have once again proved that when children are given opportunities and access to quality education, no dream is beyond their reach. For the first time this year, 882 students from our government schools have qualified the NEET examination, creating history. Adding to Punjab’s pride, Aryan Gupta, who secured All India Rank 1 in NEET, is also a son of Punjab.”
“This remarkable achievement is the result of our students’ dedication, the unwavering support of their parents, and the tireless efforts of our teachers. Our government is committed to ensuring that every child gets the opportunity, resources, and support needed to dream big and turn those dreams into reality. This transformation in education is the true foundation of a Rangla Punjab,” the post concluded.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is a moment of immense pride for all of us. I congratulate every student who has qualified NEET, their parents and teachers for this remarkable achievement. I am confident that these young achievers will become dedicated doctors and serve society with missionary zeal.”
The Chief Minister said, “In 2022, only 82 students from Punjab Government schools had qualified the NEET examination. This year, that number has risen to 882. This is a historic achievement for Punjab and reflects the transformation in our education system.”
The Chief Minister said, “Nearly 20 lakh students from across the country appeared for NEET this year. Our students have made Punjab proud by excelling in one of the toughest competitive examinations in the country. The number of successful students could have been even higher, but many deserving students suffered because the examination paper was leaked.”
He said, “It is heartbreaking that many students were left disheartened because of the paper leak and some even chose not to appear for the examination. Unfortunately, this is not the first such incident. The country witnessed paper leaks in 2017, 2024 and now again in 2026. This is a complete failure of the Union Government and is highly condemnable, intolerable and unpardonable.”
Contrasting Punjab’s record with the national situation, the Chief Minister stated, “It has been more than four years since our government assumed office and not a single examination paper has leaked in Punjab. Recently, when an attempt to facilitate cheating in the Pharmacy Officer examination came to our notice, we acted immediately.”
The Chief Minister pointed out, “All those involved in the cheating racket were arrested and sent behind bars. Twenty-one persons have been jailed in connection with the case. I assure every young person in Punjab that this government will never allow even a single incident of paper leakage or cheating to compromise their future.”
Highlighting the state’s transparent recruitment policy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Merit alone decides government jobs in Punjab. More than 68,000 government jobs have already been provided to youth through a completely transparent recruitment process. There is no recommendation, no bribery and no favouritism. Government jobs are given only on merit. Some candidates have secured government jobs multiple times purely because of their merit, and many Punjabi youth are now returning from abroad to work in the state.”
The Chief Minister said, “Our government is preparing students for intense competition. Today, students are demanding more challenging examinations because they are confident of their abilities. This reflects a complete transformation from earlier times when students wanted easier papers.”
The Chief Minister said, “To strengthen the education system, we are sending teachers to Finland and premier institutions like the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) for advanced training so that they can upgrade their skills and provide world-class education to our students.”
He stated, “The results of these efforts are visible today as students from government schools are clearing prestigious examinations like NEET. Success should never make anyone arrogant. Confidence and a positive attitude are essential, but humility and hard work are the real keys to achieving greater success.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “When our government assumed office in 2022, Punjab ranked 27th in school education. Today, Punjab has emerged as the number one state in the country in school education. This transformation is the outcome of sustained reforms and our unwavering commitment to strengthening government schools.”
He pointed out, “There was a time when government schools were viewed only as institutions for poor children and people mocked them. Today, after establishing Schools of Eminence and carrying out large-scale reforms, Punjab has surpassed Kerala and become the country’s leading state in school education. This is true public service and we will continue working tirelessly for this noble cause.”
Drawing an analogy, the Chief Minister said, “Just as an airport runway enables an aircraft to take off smoothly, the Punjab Government is creating the foundation that enables young people to realise their dreams and ambitions. I urge every student to carve out their own identity and leave a lasting mark on society because the sky is the limit.”
The Chief Minister said, “Always remain grounded even after achieving success. Believe in the power of hard work because it is the only path to lasting success. I especially urge our daughters to use education as a powerful tool to bring meaningful change in society. Today, girls are outperforming boys in almost every field, including those once considered the exclusive domain of men.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Women empowerment is essential for building an egalitarian society. It is a matter of immense pride that girls are excelling in every sphere, and I am confident they will continue to create new benchmarks through education.”
Striking an emotional chord with the students, the Chief Minister said, “The determination shown by the country’s youth compelled the Union Government to bow before them at Jantar Mantar. Our young people possess the intelligence, energy and determination to achieve anything in life. I am confident that all of you will become outstanding doctors and serve humanity with distinction.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed, “India can become the world’s leading nation only if Punjab remains at the forefront of national progress. Punjab has always played a pioneering role in ensuring the country’s food security, contributing to the freedom struggle, safeguarding the nation’s borders and bringing laurels in sports. Together, we will continue working to build a Rangla Punjab.”
Congratulating the students once again, the Chief Minister wished them a bright future and said that this achievement marked only the beginning of a glorious journey ahead.
On the occasion, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and other dignitaries also congratulated the students and wished them a bright future. They lauded the Chief Minister for his sustained efforts to transform Punjab’s education sector and lay a strong foundation for a Rangla Punjab.
*Punjab Govt School Students Rewrite NEET Success Story*
Punjab’s education reforms have produced unprecedented results, with 882 students from government schools qualifying NEET 2026, more than doubling the number of successful candidates from 437 in 2024. Over the last three years, 2,166 government school students have qualified NEET, while 786 students have cracked the JEE examination, reflecting the growing academic excellence in government schools. Of the 882 NEET qualifiers this year, 686 are girls and 340 belong to the Scheduled Caste community, underlining the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable access to quality education. 
This transformation has been driven by the PACE (Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence) Programme, which provides free coaching, mentorship, mock tests and career guidance in partnership with leading institutions such as Avanti and Mantra for Change. The state has also strengthened the education ecosystem by recruiting over 28,000 permanent teachers, establishing computer labs in 5,012 government schools, installing 8,268 interactive panels, and ensuring modern infrastructure and international teacher training.