Punjab's Free Coaching Transforms Government Schools, Shaping Future Engineers and Doctors

Punjab has just supercharged its government schools, launching free, specialized coaching for the highly competitive JEE and NEET exams. This game-changing move, under the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) program, is directly challenging the exorbitant costs of private coaching, which often lock out talented students from modest backgrounds. Early results are already turning heads, with hundreds of government school students successfully cracking these tough national entrance tests. Introduced in October 2024, the PACE program has now expanded its reach, with Physics Wallah faculty leading classes during school hours for students in Classes IX through XII across 118 Schools of Eminence and 14 Meritorious Schools. This comes as private coaching can run up to Rs 3 lakh, a price tag many simply cannot afford. The state's commitment to educational equity is paying off; in 2026 alone, 361 students qualified for JEE Main, 64 for JEE Advanced, and a remarkable 882 for NEET-UG from government schools. This success contributed to Punjab's top ranking in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026. Looking ahead, the program's expansion to include foundational classes for younger students aims to build a stronger academic base, further preparing them for these rigorous exams. Beyond regular classes, PACE offers weekly tests, doubt-solving sessions, and residential camps, ensuring comprehensive support. With an inclusive approach that reserves seats for students from other government schools and drop-year aspirants, Punjab is actively nurturing a generation of skilled professionals, transforming them from job seekers into future job creators.