On 15 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced free online coaching in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, targeting students preparing for competitive exams across the country. Physics Wallah founder Alakh Pandey welcomed the plan. Pandey noted that online education is vital for reaching remote towns and villages, adding that success would depend on effective implementation. He expressed appreciation for the prime minister’s commitment to free online coaching for students in need and stressed that online methods offer the best path to quality education in distant areas. Pandey offered unconditional support from Physics Wallah for the effort, stating he seeks no profits and believes quality education should be free for every child in India. The announcement occurs amid ongoing national attention on competitive exams in medicine, engineering and civil services. Modi highlighted the financial strain coaching classes place on families and said the government aims to reduce this burden using digital infrastructure and available talent to build a network of free coaching. Social media users shared mixed views on the proposal, with some questioning rural internet and power access while others called for stronger government schools.
