Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India’s Independence Day last week announced a plan to provide free online coaching to youth preparing for competitive examinations.
The push to take competitive-exam coaching online could reshape India’s education economy, potentially loosening the grip of Kota, Delhi and other coaching hubs that have long drawn millions of students seeking a shot at government jobs and top colleges.
The government plans to offer free online coaching for competitive exams while training 10 million young people in artificial intelligence, potentially shifting a high-cost, city-centric system towards the digital realm.
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A $14.8 billion exam-prep economy
The stakes are significant for an industry that has already grown into a large education market. According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India’s test-preparation market is estimated at about $14.8 billion in FY26 and is projected to expand to $23–26 billion by FY30, growing at an annual rate of 12–15%.
For students who cannot afford to move away from home, or pay for private coaching, the announcement could make competitive-exam preparation more accessible, said Nitin Kukreja, CEO, ALLEN Career Institute Pvt. Ltd.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement will prove to be a valuable opportunity for the youth. It will make the path to competitive examination preparation easier and more accessible for students across the country,” Kukreja said.
