Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a significant milestone for the state's youth, stating that his government has provided over 61,000 government jobs in the last four years through a process based purely on merit and transparency. The announcement came during a ceremony in Chandigarh on Saturday, January 3, 2026, where he personally handed over appointment letters to 606 new recruits of the education department.
A New Era of Transparent Recruitment
Addressing the gathering at Tagore Theatre, CM Mann highlighted a decisive break from the past. He claimed that before his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government assumed office in April 2022, government positions were often distributed as favors. "Government jobs were earlier distributed among 'sons, nephews and favourites', leaving qualified youth waiting endlessly for appointment letters," Mann alleged. He contrasted this with the current system, which he said has opened doors for deserving candidates from ordinary families across Punjab's villages, towns, and cities.
"Every single appointment has been made purely on merit and transparency, and not even one has been challenged in court," the Chief Minister asserted with pride. He emphasized that the 61,281 government jobs created since 2022 stand as a testament to this fair process.
Focus on Inclusive Education: 385 Special Educators Appointed
A major highlight of the latest recruitment drive is the focus on inclusive education. Out of the 606 new appointees, 385 are special educator teachers dedicated to children with special needs in government schools. Mann announced the creation of a separate cadre for these educators to address the needs of the approximately 48,000 children with special needs currently enrolled in the state's government schools.
Speaking directly to the newly appointed special educators, Mann elevated their role, stating, "Your duty is not only to educate these children but also to serve humanity. Your role in shaping their future will be even greater than that of their parents." He urged them to undertake this responsibility with full dedication.
The other recruits in this batch include 157 primary teachers, eight principals, and 56 employees appointed on compassionate grounds.
Broader Reforms and Global-Standard Training
The event also served as a platform to outline the Punjab government's wider reforms in the education sector. CM Mann detailed efforts to train teachers at international standards. He revealed that 234 principals and education officers have received training in Singapore, 249 head teachers were trained at IIM Ahmedabad, and 216 primary teachers underwent training at Turku University in Finland.
Further initiatives to uplift government schools include:
- Establishing 118 'Schools of Eminence' across Punjab.
- Providing free uniforms to students.
- Launching a free bus service for girl students to ensure they are not deprived of education.
Echoing the government's commitment, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains shared a tangible improvement: while nearly four lakh students had to sit on the ground in 2022, "today, not a single child is without proper seating." He added that the free bus service benefits nearly 10,000 girl students daily.
The newly appointed teachers present at the ceremony shared their positive experiences, expressing gratitude for a recruitment process they described as fair and based solely on merit, marking a new chapter for employment and education in Punjab.
