Archive · 8 Aug 2026
PM Modi urges IIT Delhi graduates: 'Life's not a leaderboard'
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gave a big speech at a university ceremony called a convocation.
More than 3,000 students finished their studies and received their degrees that day.
He told them to be proud, especially if they are the first person in their family to do something big.
He talked about young Indians building rockets, computer chips and drones.
He also warned them not to compare themselves with friends on social media.
'Life is not a leaderboard,' he said, meaning life is not a game where you get points.
He said your only real competition is yourself and that everyone should stay healthy in body and mind.
He joked about campus life, like the parathas served at the Satpura mess and the hostel names.
He also said it would be nice to see more girls win medals.
The students laughed and cheered as he told them to take their memories and friendships with them.
PM Narendra Modi presided as chief guest at IIT Delhi's 57th convocation, where more than 3,000 students including 587 PhD scholars received degrees.
Modi urged young Indians to say 'First in my bloodline' with pride in fields the government has opened up, including space, semiconductors and drones.
He warned graduates against the social media 'comparison trap', declaring that life 'is not a leaderboard' and the real race is against yourself.
The maiden cohorts of Bachelor of Design, Executive MBA, MSc Biological Sciences and MA Culture, Society and Thought graduated at the ceremony.
New AI-linked initiatives were inaugurated at the institute, while Modi also joked about wanting 'far more' daughters on the winners' list.
He named IIT Delhi hostels like Kumaon, Aravali and Karakoram and referenced the parathas from Satpura mess to connect with students.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who presided as chief guest, and more than 3,000 graduating students of IIT Delhi.
- What
- PM Modi addressed IIT Delhi's 57th convocation, encouraging graduates, sharing personal reflections and inaugurating new AI-linked initiatives.
- When
- Saturday at IIT Delhi's 57th convocation in 2026.
- Where
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, in Dogra Hall.
- Why
- To celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and to motivate them for life beyond campus.
- Event
- 57th Convocation of IIT Delhi
- Chief Guest
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Graduates
- More than 3,000 students, including 587 PhD scholars
- Guests of Honour
- Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and NITI Aayog member Prof Abhay Karandikar
- Institute Officials
- Harish Salve (Chairperson, Board of Governors) and Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee
- First Graduating Cohorts
- Bachelor of Design, Executive MBA, MSc Biological Sciences, MA Culture, Society and Thought
- Key Phrases
- 'First in my bloodline' and 'life is not a leaderboard'