One should always speak of life, not marks
(Special discussion on the exam)

Priyanka Saurabh *

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 encourages a positive attitude, which reduces exam stress. Promotes self-improvement and curiosity in students. Encourages confidence and perseverance in the face of academic difficulties. Provides practical parenting techniques to guide children in stressful school situations. Encourages teachers to use cutting-edge, creative teaching strategies. Prioritizing their schedules will help students be more evenly prepared for challenging subjects.

In addition to providing guidance, teachers should actively promote each student's individual talents. Learning and critical thinking should be the main goals of education, not just getting grades. Parents should let their children pursue interests outside of school to encourage creativity and ingenuity. Students should focus on their studies in the same way a batsman focuses on the ball while ignoring the noise of the crowd. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are all important for the general health of students.

"Pariksha Pe Charcha" has been an annual event since 2018. In this event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with parents, teachers, and students from across the country. He gives advice on how to tackle entrance and board exams in a smooth and easy way. Participants of this event are selected through a contest.

Apart from getting a chance to participate in this event, the winners of the contest also get an opportunity to talk to the prime minister face-to-face. The inaugural edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha took place on February 16, 2018. In the 7th edition to be held on January 29, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Get enough sleep and don't waste time watching reels."

In the 8th PPC to be held in 2025, special emphasis was given this year on reducing stress related to exams. The Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 event was attended by renowned personalities like Sadhguru (spiritual leader), Deepika Padukone (actor), Vikrant Massey (actor), Mary Kom (Olympic champion, boxer), and Avni Lekhara (paralympic gold medalist). These eminent guests shared their experiences and practical views on stress management, achieving goals, and maintaining motivation.

On February 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students, parents, and teachers during the eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025. This annual event provides a platform for students to talk about issues such as exam anxiety, career planning, and personal development.

Over 330 crore students, 2071 lakh teachers, and 551 lakh parents have registered for this year's event, which shows the continued impact of this initiative on the youth of the country. According to PM Modi, 40-50% of students fail in classes 10 and 12, but that does not mean that this is their ultimate goal.

It is important to recognize the difference between academic and personal success and failure. He gave the example of cricket players, who reflect on their mistakes at the end of the day and improve on them; students should do the same.

According to him, your life is what your marks tell you, not you. The PM advised students to ignore pressure. He said that like a batsman who ignores the noise and slogans in the stadium and concentrates on the ball, students should also focus on their studies instead of getting stressed.

What happens to children who fail in school at a rate of 30 to 40 percent? See, failure does not signal the end of life. Whether you want to succeed in life or through books, it depends on you. Turning all your failures into learning opportunities is a strategy to achieve success in life. Make your mistakes your teaching moments. Life is not just exams. It should be seen holistically.

Apart from giving us certain qualities, God has also given us some flaws. Focus on the strengths. You will not be asked how many grades you got in class 10th and 12th. It should be life, not marks. As opposed to rote learning, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of holistic education and creative learning. Students were urged to learn soft skills and participate in extracurricular activities.

The Prime Minister advised students that exams should be seen as learning opportunities and not as a burden. He advised that students should prioritize knowledge over grades. Good behavior, discipline, and practice—not clamoring for rights—are the hallmarks of leadership.

Emphasized the importance of healthy food and adequate sleep for successful education. Urged students to spend time outdoors and increase physical activity levels for mental health.

PM Modi advised students to look at exams as an opportunity to grow as a person instead of being afraid of them. He claimed that family and social environments can sometimes put pressure on students, which is undesirable. The pressure from family members or relatives that board exams are very important makes students extremely anxious and stressed. Your life does not end with an exam.

It is just a milestone that you have to achieve. You will feel more confident if you ignore external pressure. According to PM Modi, parents should actively participate in their children's board exam preparation and focus on their strengths and weaknesses.

He claimed that parents are not able to participate in their children's exam preparation due to their busy schedule. While taking exams, PM Modi advised students to start by understanding the challenging questions. "You should give equal attention to every subject," said Prime Minister Modi.

It is suggested that students start with simple topics or questions. However, I would recommend starting with challenging questions, as this will keep your mind clear, and you will be able to handle them better.

Later, when your brain gets tired, it will also be easier for you to answer the easier questions.