Government spending on Modi's 'pariksha pe charcha' increases by 175%

As the Union government and students in India grapple with a crisis in competitive examinations, a Right to Information Act response has unveiled a significant rise in spending on 'Pariksha Pe Charcha,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interactive session with exam-bound students.

According to the data, expenditure on the program has surged nearly 175% over the past six years.

The Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Union Ministry of Education, provided the spending details in response to queries from Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar. However, the department did not break down the specifics of the expenditure. The figures show an increase from Rs 4.92 crore in 2019 to Rs 10.04 crore in 2023.

EdCIL, a public sector undertaking responsible for managing the program, has submitted tax invoices detailing expenses on ad films, social media, and other promotional activities.

Launched in 2018, 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' features Prime Minister Modi engaging with students, teachers, and parents.

It is a component of his broader 'Exam Warrior' initiative aimed at fostering a stress-free environment for young people. Despite these efforts, students in India face mounting stress due to ongoing issues with competitive exams. Recent incidents of paper leaks and irregularities have significantly undermined the integrity of these exams.

This month, both the NEET-UG and UGC-NET have been embroiled in controversy, with the UGC-NET being entirely canceled due to allegations of malpractice.

Opposition leaders have criticized the Modi government for allocating substantial funds to publicize 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' while failing to ensure that competitive exams are conducted securely and fairly.