The Aam Aadmi Party government has brought a new dawn of employment for the youth of Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the party's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, launched the "Punjab Startup App" and the "Entrepreneurship Mindset Course" at a grand ceremony at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh. With this historic initiative, Punjab has become the first state in the country to make entrepreneurship a compulsory subject in higher education. Several senior leaders, including Education Minister Harjot Bains, were present on the occasion and hailed it as a step that will transform the future of youth.

The Punjab Startup App's unique feature is that it will directly connect over 800,000 students studying in the state's universities, colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs. Through this app, students will work on their own startup ideas and earn two credits per semester, depending on their startup's earnings. This course will be launched in the 2025-26 academic year in 20 government and private universities, 320 ITIs, and 91 polytechnic colleges, benefiting 150,000 students. By 2028-29, this program will reach five lakh students. This initiative will provide not just certificates but real income and practical experience to every student.

The Punjab Startup App has been designed keeping in mind the needs of youth. It features 24x7 artificial intelligence support, which will instantly respond to any startup-related questions. A team of experts will also help students advance their business ideas. The app is available in Punjabi, Hindi, and English, making it easily usable by students from all backgrounds. Students will submit a new business idea each semester, and they will earn credit points based on their earnings. These credits will be part of their degree, creating a unique blend of education and entrepreneurship.

Addressing the ceremony, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that Punjab is the first state in the country to make an Entrepreneurship Mindset course compulsory at the higher education level. He said, "This app will give young people a dream, an idea, and the ability to develop it. If this model is adopted nationwide, India can become a global superpower." Kejriwal further stated that entrepreneurship is inherent in Punjab's youth, and the app's success will enable India to compete with economies like China. He also stated that this course will be mandatory in BBA, BCom, BTech, and BVoc courses in 2025-26, and will be implemented in all degree courses from next year.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in his address, stated that Punjab has always been a land of opportunities, where hard work pays off. He said, "Today's students are unable to find employment even after completing their education, but now this app will make them job creators. Student startups will now enable learning and earning simultaneously." Mann cited the example of YouTube, which also began as a college project. He said that Punjab's youth can now bring about significant change by bringing similar ideas to the forefront. The CM proudly announced that within just 15 days of the app's launch, a turnover of ₹2.5 million has been achieved and 75,000 students have registered.

The Punjab Startup App's greatest strength is that it provides students with the opportunity to translate their ideas, big or small, into reality. Whether it's opening a small shop in their neighborhood, starting an online business, or launching a new product, the app supports all types of startups. Students will not only be assisted in creating business plans but will also receive training in all aspects, including marketing, sales, financial management, and customer service. The app provides students with a complete ecosystem for realizing their dreams, where they can learn from their mistakes and move towards success.

Punjab has become the first state to include 'Entrepreneurship' as a core subject for Class 11 students. This initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to inculcating entrepreneurial mindset in young people right from school. Now, students will be prepared not just to get jobs, but to give jobs. This is a major shift in the education system, moving away from traditional learning methods and toward developing practical skills and self-reliance. Through the Entrepreneurship Mindset Course, students will learn market understanding, risk-taking, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills. This is not just a course, but a new way of life.

The initial success of the Punjab Startup App has surprised everyone. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that within just 15 days of the app's launch, 75,000 students have registered, and their startups have achieved a turnover of ₹2.5 million. These figures prove that Punjab's youth have a hunger for entrepreneurship and all they needed was the right platform. The registrations so far have yielded diverse business ideas—some started selling food products on a small scale, while others began operating as online service providers. This initial success demonstrates that this app is not just a government scheme, but a means to fulfill the needs and dreams of young people.