India's Modi woos youth with free coaching, AI training

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 15, 2026, that his government would provide free online coaching lessons for competitive exams, following massive youth-led protests. This move aimed to alleviate the financial burden on millions of families within India's competitive education system. The 75-year-old leader made the announcement from the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, marking the country's independence from Britain in 1947.

He stated, "We have decided to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations for our youth. We have the digital public infrastructure, and we have highly talented teachers and educators."

The initiative followed nationwide protests sparked by the leak of a key medical entrance examination paper and a series of recruitment scandals, leading to the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. These protests revealed deep frustration among young Indians over job and educational opportunities, as well as the pressures placed on students due to the intense competition in India, where admission to government-run colleges is highly sought after.

Modi emphasized that the free online classes would ease financial burdens on "poor and middle-class families," stating, "The competition surrounding coaching classes has become a huge burden for middle-class families... [Students] can stay close to their families, receive their care, and avoid placing an additional financial burden on them."

Additionally, he announced plans to train one crore (10 million) young people in artificial intelligence skills within the next year, highlighting the government's push to equip the youth with modern skills in response to the protests.