PHEC Announces Rs7.195 Million in Prizes for Student Innovators at PINTECH Expo 2026

The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has announced cash prizes totaling Rs7.195 million for 49 winning projects at the upcoming Honhaar Punjab Innovation and Technology (PINTECH) Expo 2026, according to an announcement shared by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.

The awards will be distributed across nine categories to recognize students who demonstrate innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills. The prize money ranges from Rs30,000 to Rs500,000 per winning project, with nine top projects each receiving Rs500,000.

Under the prize structure, one first-prize winner from each of the nine categories will receive Rs500,000, bringing the total first-prize allocation to Rs4.5 million. Additionally, 40 runner-up projects will be recognized across four categories. The first runner-up category carries a prize of Rs100,000 per winner, with 13 projects sharing Rs1.3 million.

The initiative aims to encourage young innovators, promote technology-based projects, and support entrepreneurial thinking among students. The PINTECH Expo 2026 is expected to showcase student-led innovations from across Punjab.

The remaining prize tiers will be announced later, but the commission has confirmed that the total prize pool of Rs7.195 million will be distributed among the 49 winning projects.