CM Bhagwant Mann Inaugurates Two New 'Schools of Eminence' in Ludhiana, Declares State Ranks First in India
Marking a monumental milestone in the transformation of public education, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann officially inaugurated two new 'Schools of Eminence' in Kidwai Nagar and Miller Ganj, Ludhiana. With these latest additions, Ludhiana district now boasts a total of 16 Schools of Eminence, making it a leading district in the state's expanding educational framework. Equipped with modern classrooms, advanced science laboratories, state-of-the-art auditoriums, and cutting-edge digital learning tools, these world-class campuses symbolize the state government's relentless drive to bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged students by providing elite educational infrastructure to children from ordinary families.
Punjab Leaps from 27th to 1st Position in National School Education
Addressing a massive public gathering during the inauguration, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann highlighted the extraordinary turnaround of the state's educational landscape over recent years. When the current administration took office, Punjab was ranked 27th in the country in school education. Through sustained policy interventions, comprehensive infrastructure upgrades across thousands of schools, foreign teacher training programs, smart classrooms, and regular parent-teacher meetings—which recently saw participation from 2.4 million parents—Punjab has now surged past states like Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi to claim the number one spot in primary and middle school education nationwide, a feat corroborated by recent NITI Aayog data.
Inside the New Campuses: Premium Facilities in Ludhiana
The newly opened facilities have been meticulously designed to foster holistic student development. The Kidwai Nagar campus has been constructed across 8,300 square yards at a cost of ₹10.62 crore, featuring 60 rooms, 27 smart classrooms, seven modern science labs, a library, and a 500-seater auditorium. Meanwhile, the Miller Ganj campus, built with an investment of ₹3.48 crore across 1,800 square yards, features 22 rooms, seven labs, and modern elevator access for student convenience. Furthermore, the Chief Minister noted that Ludhiana district has upgraded the infrastructure of 200 government schools, which now house 16 Schools of Eminence, 11 Schools of Brilliance, and 35 Schools of Happiness, catering to nearly three lakh students.
Soaring Success: NEET, JEE, and Sports Achievements
The impact of this educational renaissance is already reflecting in phenomenal academic outcomes. Highlighting the changing face of government schools, CM Mann shared that the number of students clearing competitive exams has skyrocketed. In 2021, a mere 80 government school students qualified for the NEET exam, whereas 882 students cleared NEET in 2026. Additionally, over 125 students successfully cracked the JEE Mains exam, with 155 students qualifying from Ludhiana alone. Beyond academics, students from Ludhiana have excelled nationally, winning 25 medals—including seven golds—in national-level sports competitions. By ensuring that children from modest backgrounds have access to top-tier learning, free bus services, and world-class facilities, the Punjab government is successfully paving the way for a bright, progressive, and prosperous future.
