2 weeks ago
Alakh Pandey Backs PM Modi's Free Online Coaching Promise
India's leader, Narendra Modi, gave a big speech on August 15, 2026, from the Red Fort.
He promised free online classes to help young people prepare for important exams.
He said families spend a lot of money on coaching classes, and this plan would help them save that expense.
He also promised that ten million young people would get training in artificial intelligence.
A man named Alakh Pandey, who started a big learning company called Physics Wallah, loved this idea.
He said online learning is the best way to help children in small towns and villages.
Pandey told the government he will help for free and does not want any money in return.
He said the most important part is making sure the plan works well on the ground.
The education minister also supported the plan.
Some people on social media wondered if villages have good internet and electricity, and asked why not make government schools better instead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced free online coaching for competitive examinations during his 80th Independence Day address at the Red Fort.
Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey offered unconditional, non-profit support to the government, saying he wants no profits in return.
Pandey said online education is the only way to make quality education accessible to remote towns and villages, and that execution is the main part.
PM Modi also announced that one crore (10 million) young people will receive AI training over the next year.
Education Minister Joshi backed the plan, while social media users questioned rural internet infrastructure and asked why government schools are not being improved instead.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the initiative; Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey offered unconditional, non-profit support; Education Minister Joshi backed the plan.
- What
- A nationwide free online coaching initiative for competitive examinations, along with AI training for one crore young people.
- Where
- Red Fort, New Delhi, India.
- When
- 15 August 2026, during the 80th Independence Day address.
- Why
- To reduce the financial and psychological burden of coaching on poor and middle-class families and make quality education accessible to students in remote areas.
Supporters of the Free Coaching Plan
Skeptics and Critics
Rural Infrastructure Readiness
Supporters of the Free Coaching Plan
Online education is the only way to make quality education accessible to remote towns and villages, using India's digital public infrastructure.
Skeptics and Critics
India may lack the infrastructure needed, such as seamless internet access and electricity in rural areas where most needy students live.
Coaching vs. Government Schools
Supporters of the Free Coaching Plan
Free online coaching will ease the financial and psychological burden of coaching culture on poor and middle-class families.
Skeptics and Critics
The prime minister should instead make government schools world-class so there might not even be a need for coaching.
Availability of Teaching Talent
Supporters of the Free Coaching Plan
India has highly talented teachers and educators who can be leveraged to build a comprehensive free coaching network.
Skeptics and Critics
It is unclear whether willing teaching talent exists to support free online education while teachers are poorly paid at their existing jobs.
Key facts
- Announcer
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Venue
- Red Fort, New Delhi
- Date
- 15 August 2026 (80th Independence Day)
- Initiative
- Free online coaching for competitive examinations
- AI training target
- One crore (10 million) youth over the next year
- Key supporter
- Alakh Pandey, Physics Wallah founder (no-profit pledge)
- Context
- Follows youth protests over alleged exam irregularities at Delhi's Jantar Mantar
- Other announcements
- Civil defence reforms; nationwide sports talent hunt for children aged 5-15
Quotes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Chief Minister of India, addressing the nation on Independence Day.
“I really appreciate Prime Minister's Promise about Free online Coaching for all needy students. I have always believed that online is the only way to make quality education accessible to remote towns and villages. I want to see this happening on ground coz execution is the main part. Hon'ble Narendra Modi ji. I offer my unconditional support to Government for this. I don't want any profits in return. Quality Education should be free for Every kid of India. Jai Hind.”
livemint.com
deccanchronicle.com
thehansindia.com
freepressjournal.in
“Therefore, we have decided to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations for our youth.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Physics Wallah: Alakh Pandey offers ‘unconditional support’ to PM Modi for free online classes, seeks no profit
Quality Education Should Be Free For Every Kid: PhysicsWallah Founder
Alakh Pandey backs PM Modi's free online coaching plan, says quality education should be free









