Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday (November 14) launched 'Punjab Da Crorepati', a statewide quiz competition for young people aged 15 to 30, with a top prize of Rs 1 crore. The contest is modelled on the television show Kaun Banega Crorepati and is open to Punjab residents from all 23 districts, the government said.

How the competition works

The competition has 11 rounds. The first nine rounds will be held online on November 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 and December 1, 3, 5 and 7. The tenth round will be held physically across all 23 districts on December 9, and the grand finale is scheduled for December 17, where the 23 district winners will compete. According to the government release, the top 10 participants from each district will qualify for the district-level round, and the winner from each district will advance to the finale.

The question bank has about 50,000 multiple-choice questions, each with four options. Questions cover Punjab's history, culture, geography, mathematics and information about the Punjab government, and follow the pattern of competitive examinations for posts such as Constable, Patwari and PCS, the Chief Minister said. The wider syllabus also includes art, general knowledge, current affairs and governance. Participants get 20 seconds per question and there is no pause facility, according to the official guide. Correct answers are shown immediately after a question is attempted, and a mock quiz is available for practice.

Who can enter, and what can they win

The competition is open to Punjab residents aged 15 to 30 years as on January 1, 2027. Daily Jagran reported the contest is divided into two groups — a school group (15–18 years) and a youth group (18–30 years). Registration is through the Punjab Da Crorepati app/portal, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, using a mobile number and OTP.

The winner will receive Rs 1 crore. Four runners-up will get Rs 10 lakh each, and eight other leaderboard toppers will get Rs 5 lakh each. In all, 10,000 participants will receive prizes, and digital certificates will also be given.

One detail differs between reports: the government release says registration opens on November 14 and closes on November 28, while NDTV and Truescoop, as reported by Jugti, put the start on November 15. The closing date of November 28 is consistent across reports.

Why it matters

The launch comes months before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, and the 15–30 age group includes a large number of first-time voters. The government presents the quiz as a way to push young people towards books and preparation for government recruitment exams. Mann said on X that the government wants books in the hands of youngsters because "the pen shapes the destiny of a nation", and that the winner would receive Rs 1 crore while the top 10,000 participants would also receive prizes.

The finale is proposed to be held at a stadium or major venue with cultural performances, and television and digital broadcast plans are being explored — these are proposals at this stage, not confirmed arrangements.