New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with students across the country during the 9th Pariksha Pe Charcha Examination 2026, providing guidance on exams, personal growth, skills, use of technology and nation-building ahead of the exam season.During the interactive session, Prime Minister Modi had a wide-ranging dialogue with students and discussed issues such as exam pressure, time management, leadership, health and pursuing dreams. Later, the students sang their own composition in front of him. As the CBSE, ISCE and other state board exams approach, Prime Minister Modi interacted with selected “Exam Warriors” as part of the annual programme. This year, interactive sessions were held with students from Devmogra in Gujarat, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Raipur in Chhattisgarh and Guwahati in Assam, apart from the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi.The focus of the 2026 edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha is to help students remain stress-free during exams and encourage greater emphasis on learning in line with the National Education Policy 2020.Prime Minister Modi told the students: “Not dreaming is a crime. One should definitely have dreams, but mere thoughts will not work. Therefore, one should consider action as the most important thing in life.”Stressing the need for balance, he said students must manage studies, breaks, skills and hobbies together. “Everything in life should be balanced. If you lean too far to one side, you’re bound to fall,” he said.The Prime Minister emphasized that life skills and professional skills are equally important. “There are two types of skills: life skills and professional skills. If someone asked me which one should I focus on, I would say focus on both. They complement each other.” He added that skills start with knowledge and cannot be acquired without learning and observation. “The beginning of skill is knowledge; its importance cannot be underestimated,” he said.Prime Minister Modi advised students not to view education as a burden and warned against half-hearted study. “Education should not be a burden. It requires our full commitment. Piecemeal education does not guarantee success,” he said, adding that examinations should never be the end goal.“Life is not just about exams, education is just a medium for our development. Everyone should focus on the improvement of life, not just classes and exams, instead of just focusing on scores. ” he added.When talking about teachers, the Prime Minister said that good educators focus on all-round development and not just test-oriented teaching. “Sometimes teachers only teach what’s important for the test, but good teachers teach everything and focus on overall growth,” he said.Regarding digital habits, PM Modi warned students not to waste time online. “Don’t waste your time just because internet is cheap in India. I have brought a law against gambling. We will not let this happen,” he said. He points out that gaming can be a skill if used correctly, “Gaming is a skill. It involves speed and helps with personality development, but try to find your expertise by choosing higher quality games.”

Prime Minister Modi advised students to trust their own way of learning while remaining open to guidance, saying: “Listen to everyone’s advice, but change your pattern only if you feel like it. I have become Prime Minister. Still, people told me to work differently. But everyone has their own pattern. ““Some people study better in the morning, some people study better in the evening. Whatever works for you, trust that. But also take advice and if it’s good for you, add it to the fabric of your life.”Sharing a personal reflection, the Prime Minister said growth does not mean abandoning core principles. “Even though I changed some things, I didn’t leave my main pattern behind,” he said.Prime Minister Modi reiterated the wider purpose of education, saying, “The ultimate goal is not exam results but all-round development in life.” Regarding mental health, he added, “Education should not become a burden and everyone should participate fully as half-hearted education will not lead to a successful life.”The Prime Minister also urged students to focus on inner growth and self-awareness. “Tune the mind, then connect the mind, and then retain the subjects you need to learn. And then you always find students succeed,” he said, advising them not to dwell on the past. “Don’t dwell on the past. Try to live in front of you,” he added.Looking at India’s future, Prime Minister Modi reminded students of their role in building a developed nation. “By 2047, you will all be between 35-40 years old. For whom am I working to build Viksit Bharat? Should you work for it too?” He appealed to India’s youth to support domestic manufacturing. “We need to emphasize and ensure the purchase and use of Indian products,” he added.The Prime Minister called on students to become responsible citizens, emphasizing on cleanliness, awareness and judicious use of technology. “Technology is a boon and we need to embrace it…use AI wisely to enhance your intelligence and personality,” he said.During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the students in the traditional Assamese language ‘Gamosa’ and described it as a symbol of women empowerment in the Northeast. “This is the epitome of women’s empowerment in the Northeast, especially Assam, and women weave it at home with love and devotion,” he said.Launched in 2018, Pariksha Pe Charcha has grown to become one of the largest educational engagement programs in the country, with registrations exceeding Rs 45 crore this year.



