The PM said he assures these families that they can save “thousands of crores of rupees” spent on coaching, be close to their children, and care for them.
To help the middle class and to improve employability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced free online coaching for aspirants and AI training for youths.“Coaching classes burden the poor and the middle class. We will provide free online coaching for various exams,” PM Modi announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort while addressing the nation on India’s 80th Independence Day. “Every parent feels that if they do not send their child to a coaching class, they are not a prestigious family,” he said.The PM said he assures these families that they can save “thousands of crores of rupees” spent on coaching, be close to their children, and care for them. “And therefore, we have decided to provide free online coaching for various examinations for the youth. We have digital public infrastructure; we have excellent talent and teachers. By bringing these resources together, we are going to build a complete network to provide free coaching to the youth of the country,” he said.The announcement could be significant for students and job aspirants who depend on coaching to prepare for competitive examinations and other career opportunities. For many young people, the cost of coaching, travel and accommodation can become an additional barrier alongside the competition itself. The proposed network is aimed at using digital platforms to make coaching more widely available. Instead of students having to travel to coaching hubs or pay high fees for private classes, the initiative could bring learning resources directly to their screens.He also announced a plan to provide artificial intelligence (AI) skilling courses for youth. “We have decided that in the coming year, we will train 1 crore young people in AI skills, so that the youth of our country can develop the capability to lead in the world of AI,” he said.Highlighting the importance of AI in Saptdhara (Seven Streams), the PM said: “This is the era of robotics, AI, quantum technology, space and data centres. Emerging technologies are presenting new challenges, and we must become a global hub of innovation. We have already demonstrated our strength through UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure. Now, we must take the next leap in next generation communication technology.”Talking about overall changes in the education system, he informed that country added 650 new universities in the last decade and more than doubled the number of medical seats since 2014. “From 2004 to 2014, there were fewer than 350 universities. And today, within 10-12 years, nearly 650 new universities have been added,” the prime minister said. “Before 2014, there were only 400 medical seats, and today nearly 850 medical seats are available,” he added.The PM said that, India is emerging as an attractive destination for foreign universities. “... now foreign universities are also coming to India. Arrangements have also been made so that our youth can obtain foreign degrees within India.”“For 35 years, there was no education policy. We brought a new education policy,” he added from the ramparts of the Red Fort.Published on August 15, 2026
