The ninth edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship student engagement programme, Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, has achieved unprecedented scale and reach, marking a significant departure from its traditional Delhi-centric model. For the first time since its inception in 2018, the programme was conducted simultaneously across multiple locations nationwide, creating a truly pan-India platform for student interaction.
Historic Nationwide Expansion Across Five Locations
Breaking away from the conventional format, the 2026 edition transformed into a multi-city event that connected students from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds. MyGovIndia, the government's citizen engagement platform, announced this development on X, describing the programme as "A Nationwide Dialogue With Students!"
The official statement highlighted the programme's geographic diversity: "Along with Delhi, PM @narendramodi engaged directly with students in Coimbatore, Raipur, Dev Mogra and Guwahati connecting the east, west, north, south and the heart of India on one common platform." This strategic expansion ensured representation from all major regions of the country, making the 2026 edition the most geographically inclusive since the programme's launch.
Record-Breaking Participation Figures
The scale of participation in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 reached historic proportions, with total engagement crossing 6.76 crore participants. The breakdown of these impressive numbers reveals two distinct streams of participation:
- 4.5 crore students registered through the MyGovIndia portal between December 1, 2025, and January 11, 2026
- 2.26 crore additional participants engaged through school-level and related activities conducted from January 12 to January 23, 2026
Summarizing this massive outreach, the MyGovIndia X post noted: "With 4.5 crore registered participants and 2.26 crore more taking part through related activities, overall participation crossed 6.76 crore+, reflecting unprecedented national engagement."
Evolution of a National Education Movement
Pariksha Pe Charcha was first launched on February 16, 2018, as an annual interaction designed to support students, parents, and teachers ahead of board examinations. The programme has consistently provided a valuable platform for discussing examination strategies, stress management techniques, and essential life skills.
Over its nine editions, the initiative has undergone significant transformation:
- Format Evolution: From a single-location event to a multi-city simultaneous engagement
- Geographic Expansion: From Delhi-based to truly nationwide participation
- Digital Integration: Leveraging platforms like MyGovIndia for broader accessibility
- Content Development: Expanding beyond exam discussions to include comprehensive life skills
The 2026 edition, tentatively scheduled for the last week of January, represents the culmination of this evolutionary journey, transforming Pariksha Pe Charcha from an annual interaction into a nationwide educational movement.
Significance of the Multi-City Format
The decision to conduct Pariksha Pe Charcha simultaneously across five locations represents a strategic shift in educational outreach. This approach offers several significant advantages:
- Enhanced Accessibility: Students from remote regions can participate without traveling to Delhi
- Cultural Inclusivity: Regional perspectives and challenges receive direct attention
- Technical Innovation: Demonstrates India's capability in managing large-scale simultaneous digital events
- Educational Equity: Creates equal opportunities for students across different states and school systems
Videos shared on the MyGovIndia portal showcased Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct interactions with students from each of the five locations, highlighting the programme's commitment to creating meaningful connections across India's diverse educational landscape.
The success of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 establishes a new benchmark for student engagement programmes in India, demonstrating how government initiatives can effectively leverage technology and innovative formats to reach unprecedented numbers of participants while maintaining meaningful personal interactions.
