‘Free coaching for all!’: Modi’s big push to defuse India’s exam scandal fury

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 15 that his government will provide free online coaching for competitive exams, following massive protests last month. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families overwhelmed by India's highly competitive education system. The announcement was made during Modi's speech at the Red Fort in New Delhi to mark India's independence day.

The move follows a series of recruitment scandals and a leaked key medical entrance examination paper, which sparked nationwide protests and led to the resignation of the education minister. Modi emphasized the digital infrastructure and talented teachers available to support the program. He also announced plans to train one million youth in artificial intelligence skills within the next year, as part of a broader seven-point growth and reform framework aimed at transforming India into a developed nation within the next 20 years.