Honhaar Scholarship Challenge: How Punjab’s Undergraduate Tuition Scholarship Works
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship pays 100% of tuition for eligible undergraduates, on merit and need, through one official portal. Income limits and rounds have changed between notices, and the current round status was unclear when checked. Last checked 16 October 2026.
The Challenge
Honhaar: what past notices say and what you must verify
Last checked: 16 October 2026. The rules below come from the Punjab government’s programme page and university notices for earlier cycles, not from a current official notice. The only application system is the official portal, honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Sources disagree about the status of the 2026 Punjab round, so check the portal itself before you plan.
What the scheme offers
Honhaar is a merit-cum-need scholarship of the Government of Punjab, run through the Punjab Higher Education Commission. It covers 100% of tuition fees for selected undergraduate programmes at public universities and colleges. In August 2025 the Chief Minister said 80,000 students had been supported across its phases, with 50,000 already receiving scholarships and 30,000 more on the way (ARY News, 10 August 2025).
What the earlier notices asked for
| Condition | What it said |
|---|---|
| Domicile | Domicile of the respective province, with a separate AJK-domicile window listed with a 15 October 2026 deadline |
| Enrolment | Selected disciplines at public universities or colleges, in the 1st or 2nd semester |
| Family income | Below Rs 300,000 a month on the Punjab government programme page. A NUTECH notice for 2025 said up to Rs 350,000 for public sector institutions and Rs 500,000 for federal and private sector ones. An affidavit on e-stamp paper was required. |
| Marks | FSc at least 70% for sciences and 65% for arts and social sciences, and 80% for public medical and dental colleges |
| Merit weighting | Matric 30% and Intermediate 70% |
The income limit has been stated differently in different notices, which is why you should read the current notice, not a forwarded summary. After you submit, keep your tracking ID to follow the status, and the programme says students must keep satisfactory academic performance to keep the award.
What is unclear right now
A mid-September 2026 guide said the 2026 cycle had not opened. A separate October 2026 listing shows an AJK-domicile window open with a 15 October 2026 deadline. I could not confirm the current Punjab-domicile round from an official source, so treat the status as unconfirmed.
Why it is hard
- Rules and income thresholds change between rounds.
- Many unofficial pages copy old information.
- The documents, especially the income affidavit, take time to prepare.
Common mistakes
Paying an agent or “form fee” to anyone. Using an unofficial link. Waiting for the portal to open before arranging the e-stamp affidavit and domicile. Not keeping the tracking ID.
Related guides
- Honhaar solution: a document and application checklist
- HEC Need-Based Scholarship challenge
- Türkiye Bursları challenge
Sources
- Official portal: honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk
- Government of Punjab: Chief Minister Honhaar Scholarship Program page
- ARY News: Punjab CM launches next phase of Honhaar (10 August 2025)
- NUTECH scholarships page
Frequently asked questions about the Honhaar scholarship
What does Honhaar cover?
100% of tuition fees for eligible undergraduates. The earlier notices I found do not describe a stipend.
Where do I apply?
Only through the official portal, honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Never pay anyone to apply.
What is the income limit?
Notices have said Rs 300,000, and Rs 350,000 for public sector and Rs 500,000 for federal and private institutions. Read the current notice.
What marks do I need?
The earlier programme page required at least 70% in FSc for sciences and 65% for arts and social sciences, and 80% for public medical and dental colleges.
Is the 2026 round open?
I could not confirm the Punjab round from an official source. Sources conflict, so check the portal.
What do I need to prepare?
Our Solution page lists the documents, including the income affidavit and domicile, and the steps from account creation to the tracking ID.
Honhaar: what past notices say and what you must verify
Last checked: 16 October 2026. The rules below come from the Punjab government’s programme page and university notices for earlier cycles, not from a current official notice. The only application system is the official portal, honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Sources disagree about the status of the 2026 Punjab round, so check the portal itself before you plan.
What the scheme offers
Honhaar is a merit-cum-need scholarship of the Government of Punjab, run through the Punjab Higher Education Commission. It covers 100% of tuition fees for selected undergraduate programmes at public universities and colleges. In August 2025 the Chief Minister said 80,000 students had been supported across its phases, with 50,000 already receiving scholarships and 30,000 more on the way (ARY News, 10 August 2025).
What the earlier notices asked for
| Condition | What it said |
|---|---|
| Domicile | Domicile of the respective province, with a separate AJK-domicile window listed with a 15 October 2026 deadline |
| Enrolment | Selected disciplines at public universities or colleges, in the 1st or 2nd semester |
| Family income | Below Rs 300,000 a month on the Punjab government programme page. A NUTECH notice for 2025 said up to Rs 350,000 for public sector institutions and Rs 500,000 for federal and private sector ones. An affidavit on e-stamp paper was required. |
| Marks | FSc at least 70% for sciences and 65% for arts and social sciences, and 80% for public medical and dental colleges |
| Merit weighting | Matric 30% and Intermediate 70% |
The income limit has been stated differently in different notices, which is why you should read the current notice, not a forwarded summary. After you submit, keep your tracking ID to follow the status, and the programme says students must keep satisfactory academic performance to keep the award.
What is unclear right now
A mid-September 2026 guide said the 2026 cycle had not opened. A separate October 2026 listing shows an AJK-domicile window open with a 15 October 2026 deadline. I could not confirm the current Punjab-domicile round from an official source, so treat the status as unconfirmed.
Why it is hard
- Rules and income thresholds change between rounds.
- Many unofficial pages copy old information.
- The documents, especially the income affidavit, take time to prepare.
Common mistakes
Paying an agent or “form fee” to anyone. Using an unofficial link. Waiting for the portal to open before arranging the e-stamp affidavit and domicile. Not keeping the tracking ID.
Related guides
- Honhaar solution: a document and application checklist
- HEC Need-Based Scholarship challenge
- Türkiye Bursları challenge
Sources
- Official portal: honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk
- Government of Punjab: Chief Minister Honhaar Scholarship Program page
- ARY News: Punjab CM launches next phase of Honhaar (10 August 2025)
- NUTECH scholarships page
Frequently asked questions about the Honhaar scholarship
What does Honhaar cover?
100% of tuition fees for eligible undergraduates. The earlier notices I found do not describe a stipend.
Where do I apply?
Only through the official portal, honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Never pay anyone to apply.
What is the income limit?
Notices have said Rs 300,000, and Rs 350,000 for public sector and Rs 500,000 for federal and private institutions. Read the current notice.
What marks do I need?
The earlier programme page required at least 70% in FSc for sciences and 65% for arts and social sciences, and 80% for public medical and dental colleges.
Is the 2026 round open?
I could not confirm the Punjab round from an official source. Sources conflict, so check the portal.
What do I need to prepare?
Our Solution page lists the documents, including the income affidavit and domicile, and the steps from account creation to the tracking ID.