Punjab Cabinet approves budget 2025-26, reserves 25% seats for EWS in private schools

The Punjab Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the Budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26.

These estimates will be presented during the upcoming budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Chief Minister’s official residence.

Disclosing the details, a spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will present the budget in the House on March 26. Additionally, the Cabinet has also approved the placement of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report for the year 2023-24 before the House.

25% Reservation for EWS Students in Private Schools

In a significant move aimed at enhancing access to quality education for students from economically weaker sections (EWS), the Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Punjab Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011. The amendment omits clause 7 (01) of the existing rules, thereby enabling EWS students to seek direct admission in private schools.

This groundbreaking decision is expected to revolutionize education in Punjab by ensuring that underprivileged students can access high-quality education in private institutions, in addition to the education provided in government schools.

Notably, the Right to Education Act mandates that 25% of seats in private schools be reserved for EWS students. However, previous governments had imposed restrictions in the state’s education rules, preventing students from directly availing this benefit in private institutions.

With this historic decision, all such barriers have been removed, ensuring that students from weaker sections have unrestricted access to private school education across Punjab.