Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: ‘Not having a dream is a crime,’ PM Modi’s mantra to students

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: The 9th edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was livestreamed on February 6 at 10 am. During the conversation, PM Modi said, good teachers focus on comprehensive education both academically, professionally, and socially. For instance, a bowler has to focus on all-around preparation to excel in the exam. “Listen to everyone’s advice but change your lifestyle pattern only when you want to. Education should not feel like a burden, focus not only on marks but also on improving life,” said Narendra Modi with school students to de-stress themselves ahead of board exams. Modi also noted that exams are like festivals and should be celebrated. “Education should not feel like a burden. It needs our total involvement. Education in bits and pieces does not ensure success. Instead of focusing on marks, everyone should focus on where they have made it in life. No matter what your parents, or teachers, or peers say, have faith in and follow your pattern, keeping in mind all the suggestions that come your way…,” he said. On the balance between entrance tests and board exams, PM suggested that students should give priority to Class 12 exams. But if they have prepared their syllabus well, then appearing for the entrance is not difficult. PM Modi’s mantra > Not having a dream is a crime Not having a dream is a crime Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that if we make consistent efforts, we can build a Viksit Bharat by 2047 for a brighter future of India. He encouraged students to reflect on how they can contribute to this vision. PM Modi asked students to list all the items they use in a day to understand how many of them are dependent on foreign goods, and emphasized the need to be vocal for local during Pariksha Pe Charcha. He stressed the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and maintaining hygiene in all aspects—whether in colonies, public spaces, or private areas. He urged students to embrace the responsibilities of being good citizens, reminding them that achieving the goals of 2047 would ultimately be for their own betterment. PM Modi also spoke about technology and artificial intelligence, noting that students can use AI as a tool for guidance. Sharing an example, he said, “Students can ask AI for recommendations on biographies to read. Then, they can go to the market and buy one of those books. This way, you are using AI for your benefit, not becoming dependent on it.” For the year 2025, the Charcha happened with students in different parts of the country. The interactions were held across Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati, and at the Prime Minister’s residence, with a focus on stress-free exams, maintaining balance, building confidence, and addressing challenges faced by students. The next episode of the PPC will be telecast on February 9 at 10 am In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students across multiple locations. Previously, the event was held exclusively at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. Since last year, the format of the PPC has been changed. PPC is open to students from Class 6 onwards, teachers, and parents. Live telecast will be made available on DD National, DD News, DD India, and major private TV channels, as well as All India Radio. It will also be streamed online on PMO, Ministry of Education, Doordarshan, and MyGov.in. Plus, PPC 2026 can be watched on YouTube (MoE), Facebook Live, and Swayam Prabha Channels. PM Modi’s Pariksha Pe Charcha has been held annually since 2018, where the Prime Minister goes live to interact with students, parents, and teachers. The event is held at the onset of exam seasons in the country. Several boards, including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), will conduct the board exams from mid-February. The engineering entrance exams, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, will be held in April. More than 4.5 crore students have registered for PPC 2026 so far. Over 28 lakh teachers have also registered for this year’s PPC. As many as 4,19,14,056 students, 24,84,259 teachers, and 6,15,064 parents have registered so far for PPC 2026. The scheme is part of the government’s “Exam Warriors” initiative, aiming to reduce exam anxiety and equip students with coping strategies. Previous editions drew millions of registrations from students, parents, and teachers. Participants get acknowledgements, and winners are invited to subsequent programmes.