Modi Gets Real on Exams, Stress & Online Learning
In a rare deep-dive with Lex Fridman, PM Modi unpacks the pressure cooker that is India's education system—and it hits hard.
From toxic rankings to overhyped board exams, Modi says the system's priorities are broken:
"Even schools measure success by students' ranks. That pressure passes to the kids."
He points to Pariksha Pe Charcha—his annual heart-to-heart with students—as a reality check that pushed India's new education policy. His focus? Less rote, more real learning.
Storytime Hits Different
Modi recalls a math lesson using chickpeas and mung beans—yep, groceries. No stress, just hands-on counting that made concepts stick.
Another gem: his teacher made students write daily diary lines. Modi started arriving late just to stretch his creativity by building off others' thoughts.
It's these micro-moments, not test scores, that shaped him.
Real Talk for Students
His advice? Ditch the shame spiral. Didn't get your dream job? That's not failure.
"You may think, 'I wanted to be a doctor, but became a teacher.' But a teacher can create 100 doctors."
That mindset flip hits especially in a world shifting toward online colleges and online college courses. Modi didn't name-drop them, but his words echo their ethos: skill > status.
Beat the Exam Stress
Modi's tips:
- Practice mock papers
- Don't freak over small stuff (like a pen breaking)
- Stay confident, breathe, manage your time
"Those lacking confidence keep looking for distractions."
Simple. Brutal. True.
Watch the Full Deep-Dive
This conversation with Lex Fridman reveals a side of Modi rarely seen in traditional media—raw, reflective, and surprisingly vulnerable about the pressures facing India's youth.
This isn't just talk. It's a blueprint to rewire how we think about learning, success—and ourselves.
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