From Exam Halls to Startup Dreams: PM Modi’s Mantra for Students at Pariksha Pe Charcha

For millions of students across India, exam season often brings with it a familiar mix of pressure, self-doubt, and anxiety. But every year, one conversation seeks to change that narrative—turning fear into confidence and curiosity into clarity. This year’s edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha once again delivered that message, blending lessons on life, learning, and ambition—this time with a strong startup undertone.

Speaking during the interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared insights from his conversations with students, offering practical advice not just on examinations, but also on entrepreneurship, creativity, and balancing passion with academics. The programme, organised by the Ministry of Education, aims to make exam preparation a positive and empowering experience rather than a source of stress.

During the session, students from Coimbatore engaged directly with the Prime Minister, raising questions that reflected the evolving aspirations of India’s youth—especially around startups and innovation.

Pariksha Pe Charcha

“Startup Is the First Word I Hear Today”

One of the standout moments of the interaction came when a student, Chavi Jain, asked a question that mirrors the thinking of today’s young India: How can students begin preparing for launching a startup while still in school?

Responding candidly, PM Modi observed how deeply entrepreneurship has entered the national consciousness. “Whenever I meet youngsters these days, the first word they say is ‘startup’,” he remarked, underlining how India’s startup culture is no longer limited to urban professionals or post-college founders.

However, the Prime Minister emphasised that the foundation of a successful startup begins with clarity of purpose. He encouraged students to first understand what they truly want to do—whether it is technology innovation, building drones, creating new solutions, or exploring entirely different sectors.

Highlighting the importance of teamwork, he pointed out that startups are rarely built alone. Friends with diverse strengths—technology, finance, operations—can come together and complement each other’s skills. “All can get together and form a startup,” he noted, reinforcing collaboration as a core entrepreneurial value.

Age Is Not a Qualification for Entrepreneurship

Breaking a common myth around startups, PM Modi reminded students that age should never be seen as a barrier. “Being 25 years old is not a qualification for launching a startup; one can start anytime,” he said, encouraging students to think early and start small.

According to him, entrepreneurship does not require grand beginnings. Even small ideas and modest initiatives can become valuable learning experiences. What matters most is genuine interest, curiosity, and the willingness to explore.

Learn Directly from the Startup Ecosystem

Perhaps the most actionable advice came in the form of what PM Modi described as a simple yet powerful “mantra” for aspiring entrepreneurs—learning directly from those already building startups.

He encouraged students to reach out to founders and professionals in the startup ecosystem, suggesting they approach them under the pretext of school projects to understand how startups function in the real world. “They will not hide anything from you,” he assured students. “They will explain things to you.”

By observing real businesses, understanding challenges, and learning how founders think, students can gain first-hand knowledge that no textbook can fully provide. This exposure, he said, would help them move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Don’t Separate Art from Academics

Another student raised a concern shared by many—how to balance academic responsibilities with creative passions such as art, craft, and design.

Addressing this, PM Modi strongly pushed back against the idea that studies and passion exist in separate silos. According to him, the two are deeply interconnected and can strengthen each other when approached creatively.

He explained that art can be seamlessly integrated into learning. For instance, while studying science, students can draw laboratory setups, diagrams, and chemical structures. This approach not only enhances understanding but also makes learning more engaging and memorable.

“Don’t see studies and art as separate,” he advised, stressing that creativity can act as both a learning tool and a stress reliever—especially during exam periods.

Learning Goes Both Ways

Beyond advice, the Prime Minister also shared a personal reflection—acknowledging that he learns a great deal from these student interactions himself. Their questions, concerns, and ideas, he said, offer insights into how young India is thinking, dreaming, and preparing for the future.

At its core, Pariksha Pe Charcha continues to stand out as more than just an exam-focused programme. It has become a platform where conversations extend beyond marks and grades—touching upon entrepreneurship, creativity, mental well-being, and self-belief.

For India’s aspiring founders and future innovators, PM Modi’s message was clear: start thinking early, learn from the real world, embrace collaboration, and never feel the need to choose between passion and education.