Narendra Modi Announces Free Online Coaching for Competitive Exams

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a government initiative to provide free online coaching for competitive examinations during his Independence Day 2026 address at the Red Fort. The program seeks to alleviate the financial burden on poor and middle-class families who spend thousands of crores annually on private coaching centers. In the same address, Modi introduced an artificial intelligence training scheme designed to provide AI skills to one crore young people over the next year.

Alakh Pandey, founder of the edtech platform Physics Wallah, offered unconditional support for the coaching initiative, stating he does not want profits in return. Pandey noted that online education is the only viable method to make quality learning accessible to remote towns and villages. Education Minister Asawari Joshi also backed the plan, suggesting it could reduce the psychological and financial pressures associated with India's coaching culture.

These announcements follow a period of youth-led protests regarding examination irregularities. The government intends for these digital programs to democratize access to high-stakes test preparation and modern technical training.