22 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Punjab Government has decided to establish Polytechnic Advisory Boards (PABs) in all 26 government polytechnics across the state, with leading industrialists set to head the boards.
The initiative by the Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training aims to strengthen the connection between technical education and industry, improve student placements and modernise training programmes.
Industrialists to Chair Advisory Boards
Under the new guidelines, each Polytechnic Advisory Board will be headed by a leading industrialist from the local area.
The board will also include three representatives from MSME units in the district or adjoining areas, a nominee from an IIT or NIT, an alumnus working in a senior engineering position, the General Manager of the District Industries Centre and the polytechnic principal as member-convener.
Eligibility Criteria for Chairpersons
The government has laid down specific criteria for industrialists who will head the boards.
The chairperson must lead a company with an annual turnover of at least ₹10 crore during the previous three years, have a minimum of five years of operational experience and employ at least 25 people.
The criteria are intended to ensure that board members have substantial industry experience and can contribute to the development of technical education.
Focus on Industry-Academia Linkages
The advisory boards will work as industry-facing institutional bodies.
Their responsibilities will include mapping changing industry requirements, developing industry linkages, supporting training modernisation, facilitating corporate social responsibility partnerships and helping polytechnics prepare institutional development plans.
Placement Target for Students
One of the major responsibilities assigned to the boards is improving employment opportunities for students.
The PABs will work towards securing placements for 80 per cent of students through three placement drives every year.
They will also help provide faculty members with greater exposure to industry practices so that classroom training can remain aligned with workplace requirements.
CSR and Industry Funding
The boards will also have a role in mobilising financial resources.
They are expected to seek CSR contributions and donations from industry members, individuals and charitable organisations for institutional development and training-related initiatives.
The move is intended to bring additional resources into government polytechnics while strengthening their links with local industries.
Boards Were Earlier Notified as Industry Advisory Bodies
The institutions were initially notified as industry advisory boards in March this year. They have now been rechristened Polytechnic Advisory Boards, with fresh guidelines detailing their composition, responsibilities and financial powers.
Teachers’ Association Opposes Move
The initiative has, however, faced opposition from the Polytechnic College Gazetted Teachers’ Association (PCGTA), Punjab.
The association represents lecturers, senior lecturers, heads of departments, assistant directors and deputy directors working in government polytechnic colleges.
PCGTA president Jasvir Singh Gill has alleged that the proposed structure could lead to greater corporate influence over public technical institutions.
The association has raised concerns about registering the boards as societies, corporate funding and the broad administrative powers proposed for the industry-led bodies.
Concerns Over Parallel Administrative Structure
The teachers’ body has also argued that the guidelines could affect the existing administrative hierarchy and service conditions of government employees.
Gill alleged that the arrangement could create a parallel institutional hierarchy within government polytechnics. The association has cited the Lehragagga College society model as a precedent for its concerns.
Government Emphasises Skill Development
Punjab Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has said the government wants to strengthen technical education by involving industry more closely in the skilling process.
The department’s stated objective is to ensure that students receive training that reflects current industry requirements and improves their transition from education to employment.
Industry Participation Could Reshape Polytechnics
The new advisory boards are expected to give industrialists a more direct role in institutional development, curriculum-related industry feedback, placements and resource mobilisation.
While the government views the arrangement as a way to make technical education more industry-oriented, the teachers’ association has called for greater clarity on administrative powers and the role of government staff.