PM Modi announces free online coaching for youth

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday free online coaching for students preparing for competitive exams, aiming to alleviate financial burdens on their families. Speaking from the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, Modi vowed to offer free coaching for various exams, stating that coaching classes financially strain the poor and middle class.

He assured families they would save thousands of crores of rupees by avoiding coaching and spending more time with their children. The government's digital infrastructure and skilled teachers would facilitate this nationwide initiative, according to Modi. Additionally, one crore youth will receive AI training within a year. The announcement followed a youth-led "Sansad Chalo" campaign in July, which protested against the NEET-UG paper leak and other education reforms involving coaching classes.

Modi highlighted the country's rapid expansion, adding 650 new universities over the last decade and more than doubling medical seats since 2014. He also noted the emergence of foreign universities in India, stating arrangements are in place for youth to obtain foreign degrees in the country.