Here are the top 10 breaking and major news headlines from Punjab today, Thursday, June 11, 2026:
1. Massive Drug Bust: Over 30 kg Heroin Seized in Amritsar; Six Arrested
In a major breakthrough against cross-border smuggling networks, the Punjab Police dismantled an international drug cartel. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrest of six individuals and the recovery of more than 30 kg of heroin. Preliminary investigations trace the network back to a Dubai-based handler routing shipments across the border.
2. Punjab Cabinet Approves Free Public Transport for NEET-UG Re-Exam Candidates
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, announced that candidates appearing for the rescheduled NEET-UG exam on June 21—along with one accompanying guardian—can travel for free in Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC buses from June 20 to 22.
3. State Government Greenlights Recruitment for 1,000+ Lecturers and JEs
Aiming to boost public sector employment and infrastructure development, the state cabinet cleared the direct recruitment of 1,013 Group-B Lecturers with a one-time 5-year upper age limit relaxation. Additionally, 156 Junior Engineer (JE) positions were approved for the Public Works Department.
4. BJP’s Tarun Chugh Elected to Rajya Sabha Unopposed
Senior BJP leader from Punjab, Tarun Chugh, has officially entered the Rajya Sabha. He was elected unopposed to the Upper House from Madhya Pradesh.
5. High-Level AAP Meeting Convened by Arvind Kejriwal to Strategy for Punjab Elections
With political alignments shifting, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal called a crucial, high-level meeting today with Punjab leadership to layout strategic frameworks and evaluate governance milestones in the state.
6. Local Body Elections: Vinaypal Kaur Elected as Mayor of Moga
Intense political activity wrapped up in municipal bodies today as mayoral elections took place in Bathinda, Barnala, and Moga. In a major development, Vinaypal Kaur was successfully elected as the new Mayor of Moga.
7. Large-Scale Waste-to-Energy Projects Approved for Patiala and Jalandhar
To manage the state’s municipal solid waste, the Punjab government has partnered with HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Limited to set up two massive compressed biogas (CBG) projects. Both Patiala and Jalandhar will host plants capable of handling 100 tonnes of wet waste daily.
8. PAU Issues Warning as Recent Floods Alter Punjab’s Agricultural “Weed Map”
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) released an environmental and agricultural alert today. Experts warn that recent flooding across districts has significantly altered the state’s weed distribution patterns, bringing in resilient new weed variants that pose a serious threat to upcoming crop yields.
9. Three Punjabi Youths Sentenced in Canada Following Surrey Shooting
The Surrey Provincial Court in Canada handed down sentences ranging from 25 months to five years to three Punjabi youths—Taranveer Singh, Dayajeet Singh Billing, and Harjot Singh. The trio pleaded guilty to reckless firearm discharge and throwing explosive substances related to a February incident.
10. Punjab Amends Civil Services Rules for Merit Tie-Breakers
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Civil Services Rules, 1994. In cases where competing candidates share identical merit rankings and dates of birth, seniority will now be strictly determined by the final grading or percentage obtained in their minimum required educational qualification.
