PM Modi announces free online coaching for competitive exams in Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced free online coaching for competitive examinations, in a major outreach to Gen Z during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.

Addressing the nation, Modi said the growing culture of coaching classes had placed a heavy financial burden on middle-class and poor families. He said many parents feel compelled to send their children to coaching centres out of fear that they would otherwise fall behind their peers.

“The competition surrounding coaching classes has become a huge burden for middle-class families,” Modi said, adding that the government wants to help families save the thousands of crores of rupees spent on coaching.

Modi said the initiative would enable young people to prepare for competitive exams while staying closer to their families and without adding to their financial burden.

“Therefore, we have decided to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations for our youth,” he said, highlighting India’s digital public infrastructure and the availability of highly qualified teachers and educators.

The announcement comes weeks after youth-led protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations were held in several parts of the country, including a prominent demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.