Says “Always Remember Skills + Self-Belief = True Confidence”
“Dream Big Fear Less, Draw Inspiration From Biographies”
“Don’t Just Study for Exams, Study for Life
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students during the 9th edition of the popular interactive programme Pariksha Pe Charcha. In a video released on Friday the Prime Minister was seen addressing students on how to overcome stress and anxiety during exams.
During the interaction, Mr Modi advised students to trust their own unique learning patterns, emphasising that no two individuals think or grow in the same way. He said that every student has a distinct style, and it is important to have full faith in one’s own pattern of preparation. He noted that at the same time, students should listen carefully to suggestions given by teachers, parents, and mentors and should understand them deeply, and then adapt what is useful. The Prime Minister encouraged students to add their own experiences and self-understanding to any advice they receive, instead of blindly copying others. Mr Modi underlined that true confidence comes when students combine guidance with self-belief.
Prime Minister advised that teachers should remain sensitive to the learning speed of every student. He said that a teacher should stay just one step ahead of the student and not too far, so that guidance feels achievable and not intimidating. He noted that goals should be aspirational yet within reach, motivating students to grow without overwhelming them. Mr Modi compared teaching to farming, saying that just as a farmer carefully tills the soil before sowing seeds, teachers must patiently nurture the minds of students so that learning can take root naturally. He advised teachers to inform students in advance to create curiosity and improve understanding.
Savabat Venkatesh, a student, asked the Prime Minister whether skills are more important than marks. Mr Modi replied, saying balance is essential in every aspect of life. He explained that leaning too much towards one side, either marks or skill,s can lead to imbalance, whereas maintaining the right balance ensures stability and growth. The Prime Minister highlighted that skills can broadly be divided into two categories, life skills and professional skills, and students must focus on developing both. He stressed that no skill can be acquired without proper study, observation, and application of knowledge.
Mr Modi cautioned students against adopting the wrong methods of preparation, such as relying only on sure-shot guides, important-question books, or question banks. He said good teachers focus on the entire syllabus, encourage hard work, and help students understand the real-life applications of what they learn, ensuring holistic development rather than exam-oriented learning.
Emphasising holistic growth, the Prime Minister said the development of the body and mind is equally important. He urged students to include exercise, yoga, a nutritious diet, adequate rest, and mental strength in their daily routine. The Prime Minister further reminded students that life is not limited to examinations and marks. He said education is a medium to shape life, while examinations are merely a way to examine oneself. Mr Modi noted that the ultimate goal should not be scores alone, but the complete development of life. The Prime Minister said that balancing studies, skills, rest, and hobbies is the key to growth. He said, books impart knowledge, but only practice makes one professionally skilled. Mr Modi said, education is not only for exams but for life. He said, exams are meant to examine oneself. He said, collaborative learning helps everyone improve.
He appealed to students to prepare themselves to make their lives meaningful, excellent, and fulfilling, adding that education should be a tool for life-building, not a burden. Mr Modi mentioned that students must keep the learner within them active and curious at all times, with full involvement in the learning process.
The Prime Minister highlighted that deeper involvement enhances long-term learning and that collaborative learning helps everyone improve. He advised students to focus on building strong foundations during school years, assuring them that competitive examinations would follow naturally in time. Encouraging creativity, he asked students to convert their hobbies into practical outputs and share them freely, as feedback becomes the fuel for innovation and success.
The Prime Minister said that technology is a great teacher and asked students to embrace it. He said, AI increases the capabilities. He said that one should harness AI wisely to boost one’s wisdom. He also said that maintaining cleanliness is the foremost priority and duty of all.
He concluded by saying that real confidence comes from being truthful to oneself. He added comfort zones do not shape life, but one’s way of living does. Calling the absence of dreams a serious mistake, he urged students to dream big, fear less, and draw inspiration from biographies.
Pariksha pe Charcha programme aims to discuss exam stress and celebrate examinations as an Utsav and an integral part of life. This year, the interactive sessions were held with Exam Warriors in Devmogra, Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati, and at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. The Ministry of Education said that more than four crore fifty lakh students, teachers and parents have registered for the programme through the MyGov portal.
Conceptualised by the Prime Minister, Pariksha Pe Charcha seeks to reshape the examination experience of students by promoting confidence, positivity and holistic well-being in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
