New Delhi: From managing exam stress and navigating peer pressure to taking care of the environment and lessons on leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with 36 students from across states and Union Territories, during the 8th edition of his annual ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC) programme Monday.
This year, the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ event, held ahead of board examinations every year, saw a departure from its traditional town hall format, shifting to a more informal setting with the Prime Minister engaging in conversation with the students at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery. The programme was streamed live across various platforms.
Interacting with students, Modi emphasised that “gyan” (knowledge) and exams are just a part of life, urging them not to treat their grades as the ultimate measure of success.
“Unfortunately, there’s a widespread belief that if a student doesn’t perform well in class 10 or 12 board exams, their life is ruined. Our society often creates a tense atmosphere at home over low grades,” he said. “You may feel pressure, but focus on preparing without letting it overwhelm you. Keep challenging yourself to improve.”
Giving students the example of a batsman during a cricket match, the Prime Minister told students they should just focus on their studies. “Just like a batter in a noisy stadium, who focuses on the next ball and ignores the crowd’s demand for boundaries, you should focus on your studies and not be overwhelmed by exam pressure.”
He also encouraged them to challenge themselves. “Always strive to do better than your previous results,” he said, stressing the importance of self-improvement.
He also urged parents not to treat their children’s results as benchmarks to “show off”, emphasising that they should avoid making comparisons with others and instead offer their support.
“Every child has unique talents. Instead of following societal trends, support your child in discovering their strengths,” PM Modi said. He advised educators to create an environment where students feel valued and encouraged to explore their abilities without unrealistic expectations.
“Parents often have expectations due to social pressure. I urge all parents not to present their child as a model. Embrace their uniqueness and focus on their individual skills,” he said during the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ programme.
According to a statement from the Press Information Bureau, for this year’s edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’, the students were selected from various state education boards, government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, CBSE, and Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Some were alumni of the PRERANA school programme under the Union Ministry of Education, winners of Kala Utsav, and recipients of the Veer Gatha awards, it added.
Leadership lessons and taking care of the environment
When talking about leadership, PM Modi emphasised that true leaders are shaped by their actions, not just their speeches. “Leadership is not imposed; people accept you based on your conduct. To be a leader, you must change yourself. It’s crucial to learn teamwork, practice patience, and earn trust.”
When asked to define leadership, the Prime Minister chuckled and remarked, “A leader isn’t someone simply wearing a ‘kurta-pajama‘ and a jacket, giving speeches on various platforms. Leadership isn’t just about that. A leader’s role is not to correct others’ mistakes; it’s to lead by example.”
Using the example of a class monitor, Modi explained, “If everyone is expected to be on time, but the class monitor doesn’t follow the rules, will anyone listen to him? No. But if the monitor completes his homework first and helps others, that’s a true leader.”
During the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ event, Modi also emphasised the importance of good sleep and reassured students not to equate high marks with their entire future. “Your life will not be ruined if you don’t score top marks,” he said, urging students to maintain a balanced perspective.
He also highlighted the significance of proper nutrition and meditation for overall well-being, as well as the importance of eating millet.
PM Modi discussed the importance of adopting a lifestyle that protects both the climate and nature. “In our culture, we revere trees and treat rivers as mothers. We should take pride in this heritage,” he said.
He further explained the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam‘ campaign, which encourages planting trees in honour of one’s mother. “It serves as a beautiful way to promote environmental conservation and foster a culture of plantation,” he said.
The Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 will unfold across eight episodes, featuring notable guests like Olympic boxer M.C. Mary Kom and actors Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, and Bhumi Pednekar, among others.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)