Archive · 14 Aug 2026
President Murmu calls students 'architects of India's future' amid protests
India has a President, and her name is Droupadi Murmu.
The night before India's 80th birthday as an independent country, she gave a big speech to everyone.
In her speech, she said that students are the people who will build India's future.
She promised that the government is working hard to make big exams fair and to stop exam secrets, called question papers, from getting leaked.
Many students across India have been upset because exam papers leaked and some important tests were cancelled.
The government passed a new law with tougher punishments and faster court cases for people who cheat on exams.
The President also talked about the army, sports, helping poor families, and caring for senior citizens.
She said India wants peace with other countries and believes the whole world is one family.
At the end, she asked everyone to work together to make India even better by 2047.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day on August 14, 2026.
She called students 'architects of India's future' and promised comprehensive reforms to curb paper leaks and unfair means in public examinations.
Her remarks follow nationwide Gen Z and student-led protests over exam irregularities, including the May NEET-UG cancellation, which led to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing enhanced penalties, fast-track courts, and a two-month investigation deadline.
Murmu also lauded the Indian Armed Forces' Operation Sindoor and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, while highlighting India's digital and economic growth.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day.
- What
- She called students 'architects of India's future,' promised reforms to curb exam paper leaks and unfair means, and covered national security, the economy, and welfare milestones.
- When
- Friday, August 14, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To reassure students and the public amid protests over exam irregularities and to highlight national achievements ahead of Independence Day.
Student protesters
Government
Public examination integrity
Student protesters
Students across the country, angered by systemic corruption, repeated question paper leaks, and cancellations of high-stakes exams like NEET-UG, demanded accountability, transparency, fast-track investigations, and stringent legal action.
Government
The government says it is undertaking comprehensive steps - including the 2026 anti-paper leak amendment bill with enhanced penalties and fast-track courts - to make public examinations transparent, secure, and trustworthy.
- Occasion
- Address to the nation on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day
- Date
- August 14, 2026
- Location
- New Delhi, India
- Exam reform law
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Military operation
- Operation Sindoor - one-year anniversary commemorated on May 7
- Treaty suspension
- Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan
- UNSC bid
- Campaign for a non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 term
- UNESCO listing
- Sarnath added to the UNESCO World Heritage List this year
Sources
'Students India's future': Prez Murmu promises fair exams in I-Day eve address
‘Architects of India’s future’: President Murmu’s praise for students amid protests
Govt taking comprehensive reforms to curb exam paper leaks, protect future of youths: President Murmu