Modi bets on youth with AI training and free exam prep amid protests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put young people at the heart of his development agenda in a speech marking India’s Independence Day on Saturday. He announced free online coaching for competitive exams and plans to train 10 million young people in artificial intelligence over the next year. The speech comes amid growing criticism of Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies and recent youth-led protests against his government, as analyzed by FRANCE 24's Jamie Smith-Maillet. By focusing on education and technology, Modi aims to address one of India’s biggest challenges: creating jobs for a young and rapidly growing population. The free coaching program is designed to help students prepare for civil service and other competitive exams, which are seen as key routes to stable careers. The AI training initiative, meanwhile, signals an effort to position India as a global hub for emerging technologies. However, observers note that the announcement lands at a time when public trust in the government is strained, particularly among younger voters who have taken to the streets in recent months. The full impact of these measures remains to be seen, but the message is clear: Modi is seeking to win back a generation that is increasingly questioning his leadership.