Study and play: PM Modi tells students to strike a balance

New Delhi: From score anxiety to gaming ambitions, Prime Minister Modi Use Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 to tell students not to believe that life is a single subject exam. Whether the debate is between “skills vs. grades” or “learning vs. games,” balance, discipline, and purpose will always keep them in good shape. “Everything should be in balance,” Modi said in response to students torn between competing proposals. Skills, he explained, are not one category. “There are two types of skills – life skills and professional skills,” he said, adding: “Education and skills are twins. They are not separate.” Modi emphasized that knowledge is important, but practice can transform learning into capabilities. “Books impart knowledge, but only practice makes you professional,” he said. He told students that true expertise is accumulated through practice – whether in medicine, law, robotics or any other field. When a student talks about building a future in gaming despite social criticism, Modi encourages viewing it as a skill, not a distraction. Parents may scold at first, he says, but success changes the script: “Your success becomes their honor.” He recommends creating games rooted in Indian stories (like Panchatantra) and using social media to get feedback and improvements. But he drew a red line on gambling. He warned that games played for the sake of gambling or mindlessly passing the time were destructive. However, gaming as a skill develops speed, alertness, and creativity and should be honed through quality work. The Prime Minister also promoted collaborative learning as a practical approach to improvement. “Collaborative learning helps everyone improve,” Modi said, asking students to teach classmates who are struggling and spend time cross-checking their understanding with those who are more astute. This brings a “double benefit” – better clarity and new ideas, he said. On common dilemmas in class XII – board exams and competitive tests – Modi acknowledged the pressure on students and compared it to trying to play cricket and football at the same time. His advice was clear: “You have to prioritize No. 12.” If students truly absorbed the school syllabus, competitive exams would naturally come as a by-product, he said. He also urged parents to reduce stress and trust their children’s progress, advising them to “allow their children to flourish according to their abilities, talents and interests”.“