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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to provide free online coaching for competitive exams to millions of young Indians on August 15, 2021, following massive youth-led protests that forced the education minister to resign. The 75-year-old leader made the announcement while addressing the crowds at New Delhi's historic 17th-century Red Fort, marking India's independence from Britain in 1947.

Modi stated that the government had the digital infrastructure and talented teachers to offer this initiative. The move aimed to alleviate the financial burden on poor and middle-class families, as the competitive education system often placed enormous economic strain on their finances. The protests, triggered by the leak of a key medical entrance exam paper and recruitment scandals, exposed deep frustration among young Indians over access to jobs and educational opportunities.

Modi also announced plans to train several million young people in artificial intelligence skills within the next year, reflecting his government's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the nation's youth.