'Punjab da crorepati': Mann govt's big Gen Z push; launches 11-round quiz challenge

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday launched a quiz competition, 'Punjab Da Crorepati', for youngsters in the state, with the winner set to receive a cash prize of Rs 1 crore.

Announcing the initiative, Mann said the competition would test participants' knowledge of Punjab's history, culture, geography, mathematics and various aspects of the state government. Youngsters aged between 15 and 30 years will be eligible to participate, he said.

"The Punjab government is launching a unique programme for youths -- ‘Punjab Da Crorepati’," Mann said during the launch.

The competition will comprise 11 rounds, with nine to be conducted through an online portal and the remaining two held in person, according to details shared by the chief minister. "There will be questions like (the TV quiz show) 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', and there will be four options," he said.

The quiz will have a pool of 50,000 questions, most of which will be based on questions asked in recruitment examinations for government jobs, including those for patwaris, constables, Punjab Civil Services officers and sub-divisional officers, Mann said.

The tenth round will be held across 23 districts, with the toppers from each district qualifying for the grand finale. A total of 10,000 participants will receive prizes, he said.

At the grand finale, the winner will receive Rs 1 crore, while four runners-up will each get Rs 10 lakh, according to the chief minister. Mann urged schools and colleges across the state to register for the competition.