Independence Day 2026: PM Narendra Modi Announces Nationwide Free Online Coaching Network to Relief Middle-Class Families (Video)

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a major policy initiative aimed at democratizing access to competitive exam preparation. Highlighting the severe financial stress commercial coaching centers impose on families, PM Modi declared that the government will leverage its existing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to provide free, high-quality online coaching across the country.

Speaking on the growing societal pressure and commercialization surrounding private exam institutes, the Prime Minister noted that test preparation has turned into a massive economic strain for lower- and middle-income households. Armed Naxals Are Gone, but ‘Intellectual Naxals’ Still Lurking: PM Modi’s Independence Day Warning From Red Fort (Video).

"The competition surrounding coaching classes has become a huge burden for middle-class families. Every parent feels that if they do not send their child to a coaching centre, they are somehow falling behind or do not belong to a respectable family," PM Modi said during his address. "Keeping the concerns of poor and middle-class families in mind, we want to help save them the thousands of crores of rupees they spend on coaching. Our young people should be able to stay close to their families, receive their care, and avoid placing an additional financial burden on them. Therefore, we have decided to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations for our youth. We have digital public infrastructure, and we have highly talented teachers and educators. By bringing these resources together, we will provide free coaching to the country’s young people and build an entire network for this purpose."

Tackling the Financial Strain of Commercial Coaching

The announcement directly addresses long-standing public concerns regarding the expanding commercial coaching industry in India. Over the last decade, major education hubs across the nation have drawn millions of aspirants every year for national engineering, medical, and civil service entrance exams. However, high tuition fees, paired with the rising cost of relocation, housing, and living expenses away from home, have increasingly created steep financial hurdles for families. The Prime Minister emphasized that enabling students to prepare from home will ensure young aspirants receive emotional and family support while saving thousands of crores nationwide. Independence Day 2026: India Has Moved From ‘Fragile Five’ to Fastest-Growing Major Economy, Says PM Narendra Modi (Video).

PM Modi Announces Free Online Coaching to Ease Burden of Coaching Fees

Leveraging Digital Infrastructure and Educator Talent

The core mechanism of the initiative relies on combining India’s established Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with top-tier educators. Rather than establishing traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, the government plans to build a connected digital learning ecosystem. This national network aims to aggregate high-quality educational content, interactive learning tools, and structured preparation modules directly onto digital platforms. By delivering top educators' lectures online, the initiative seeks to level the playing field between students from major metro hubs and those in smaller towns or rural areas.

Broader Focus on Youth and Digital Empowerment

The free coaching network forms part of a broader push focused on youth development, skills training, and educational accessibility. Alongside the exam initiative, the government outlined plans to equip over one crore young Indians with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills over the coming year. Further details regarding the program's official rollout timeline, specific exam coverage (such as JEE, NEET, and UPSC), participating educational institutions, and platform registration processes are expected to be released by the Ministry of Education in the coming days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 09:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).