Punjab Introduces AI Career Guidance Labs in Government Schools

The Punjab government has introduced AI-enabled Career Guidance Labs across select government and board-affiliated schools, aiming to provide structured and equitable career planning support to students from an early stage of education.

As part of the pilot phase, 25 artificial intelligence-driven career guidance labs have been launched in government and Punjab School Education Board-affiliated schools. The initiative was inaugurated by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains at two schools, marking the formal rollout of the programme.

The initiative, implemented in collaboration with ed-tech partner Beyond Mentor, is being offered free of cost to students. It is designed to move beyond generic career counselling by providing early, personalised, and data-driven guidance tailored to individual student profiles.

Under the programme, students undergo an AI-based aptitude and interest assessment through a digital platform. Based on the results, the system generates a customised career report outlining potential academic streams, vocational options, and future pathways aligned with each student’s strengths and interests.

Following the assessment, trained career counsellors conduct one-on-one sessions with students and their parents to discuss the findings and help chart practical next steps for academic and career planning.

The programme begins as early as Class 6, enabling early intervention that traditional career counselling models often lack. Officials said the data-driven approach aims to shift students away from exam-centric decision-making towards identifying skills and opportunities relevant to the evolving job market.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the pilot programme will be closely monitored, and feedback will be used to assess its effectiveness. If successful, the initiative could be expanded statewide, positioning Punjab as one of the first states to integrate systematic AI-led career guidance into public education.

“Career guidance should not be a privilege. By introducing structured, AI-powered counselling in government schools, we are ensuring that every child, irrespective of background, can make informed choices about their future,” Bains said.

Amarpal Singh, Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, highlighted the focus on holistic student development. He said the labs would help students recognise their inherent abilities and translate them into achievable career goals beyond conventional academic benchmarks.

Beyond Mentor CEO Saurav Kumar said the programme blends technology with human support. “AI enables scalable assessments, but meaningful guidance comes through professional counselling, ensuring each student feels supported,” he said.

Officials said the pilot’s outcomes will determine whether the model becomes a permanent feature in Punjab’s government school system.