13 January 2026·PIB

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026

In this note

1. At a Glance

Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) is an annual interactive programme of PM Narendra Modi with students, parents and teachers aimed at converting exam stress into a "celebration of learning" [1][2].
PPC 2026 is the 9th edition, organised by the Ministry of Education [1][3].
Relevant for UPSC under GS-II (Governance / Education policy / Welfare of vulnerable sections — youth mental health) and as a current-affairs Prelims fact (record registrations, multi-location format).

PPC 2026 crossed 4.5 crore registrations (students, parents, teachers) — a new milestone, announced via PIB on 13 January 2026 [1].
Total participation (incl. associated activities) reached 6.76 crore [2].
First time the main event was held simultaneously at 5 locations (Delhi + 4 regional hubs) [2][4].
Main interactive event with PM held on 6 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi [3][4].

Origin: Launched in 2018 by PM Modi as a pre-board-exam interaction [5].
Earlier editions held in Talkatora Stadium / Bharat Mandapam; format evolved from town-hall to multi-format (kahaani/quiz/blog/town-hall) by 2024 [5].
8th edition (2025) was conducted in expedition-style (released as a video series) and recorded 3.53 crore registrations — a Guinness World Record [4].
9th edition (2026) broke its own record with 4.5 crore registrations [1][4].

Implementing ministry: Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy) [1].
Edition / Year: 9th edition, 2026 [1][3].
Run-up window: 12 January – 23 January 2026 — bookended by Swami Vivekananda Jayanti / National Youth Day (12 Jan) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti / Parakram Diwas (23 Jan) [1][2].
Kick-off activity: Swadeshi Sankalp Daud (student run/walk) on 12 January 2026 highlighting Aatmanirbhar Bharat / self-reliance [2].
Main interaction date: 6 February 2026, 10:00 AM, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi [3].
Regional venues (first time): Coimbatore (TN), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Dev Mogra (Gujarat), Guwahati (Assam) + Delhi [2][4].
Registrations: 4.5 crore+ (students + parents + teachers); associated activities ~2.26 crore; total ~6.76 crore [2].
Broadcast platforms: PM's YouTube channel, Doordarshan, MoE social media, WAVES OTT, Amazon Prime, Jio, ZEE5, Sony LIV, Spotify (audio) [4].

Social / Health: Targets the rising issue of adolescent exam stress and suicides; positions exams as an "Utsav" [3]. Aligns with NEP 2020's emphasis on holistic well-being.
Administrative / Federal: Operationalised via state education departments, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, CBSE/state-board schools through nationwide engagement activities Jan 12–23 [1].
Governance / Communication: Demonstrates direct PM-citizen outreach model; multi-OTT + DD broadcast widens reach [4].
Cultural / Symbolic: Anchored to Vivekananda Jayanti and Parakram Diwas dates — links youth engagement with nationalist iconography; Swadeshi Sankalp Daud ties to Aatmanirbhar Bharat [2].

Jan 2025: PPC 2025 (8th edition) released in expedition video format; 3.53 crore registrations (Guinness record) [4].
Jan 13, 2026: PIB announces PPC 2026 crosses 4.5 crore registrations; run-up programme 12–23 Jan 2026 declared [1].
12 Jan 2026: Swadeshi Sankalp Daud kicks off nationwide activities [2].
6 Feb 2026: PM Modi interacts with students at Bharat Mandapam plus 4 regional venues [3][4].
Subsequent episodes: PM interacts with students from Coimbatore, Raipur, Dev Mogra, Guwahati in episode-2 format [4].

PPC 2026 = 9th edition of the programme [1].
Organising body: Ministry of Education (not Ministry of Youth Affairs) [1].
Run-up dates: 12–23 January 2026 [1].
12 January = National Youth Day / Swami Vivekananda Jayanti; 23 January = Parakram Diwas [1].
Kick-off event: Swadeshi Sankalp Daud [2].
Main event venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 6 February 2026 [3].
Four new regional venues: Coimbatore, Raipur, Dev Mogra, Guwahati [2][4].
Dev Mogra is in Gujarat (Narmada district) [2].
Registrations crossed: 4.5 crore in 2026 (vs 3.53 crore in 2025) [1][4].
2025 edition held the Guinness World Record for largest exam-prep engagement [4].
Launched in 2018 [5].
Streamed on WAVES OTT (India's Public Service OTT) among others [4].

GS-II: Government policies & interventions for vulnerable sections (youth); Education governance.
GS-IV (Ethics): Stress management, emotional intelligence, attitude toward examinations and failure.
Plausible question stems: 1. "Initiatives like Pariksha Pe Charcha attempt to address adolescent mental health, but symbolic events cannot substitute systemic reform in the examination system. Critically examine." (GS-II) 2. "How can the principles of emotional intelligence be applied to manage examination stress among Indian students?" (GS-IV) 3. "Discuss the role of mass-outreach communication programmes in shaping youth aspirations in India." (GS-II / Essay)

NEP 2020 — frames holistic, stress-free assessment; PPC operationalises its spirit.
PARAKH (NCERT's National Assessment Centre) — examination reform body.
Manodarpan initiative — MoE's psychosocial support for students.
National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 — assessment design.
National Youth Policy / MY Bharat portal — youth engagement architecture.
Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 — statutory backdrop for adolescent mental health.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat / Swadeshi narrative — links to Swadeshi Sankalp Daud.
WAVES OTT (Prasar Bharati) — public broadcasting innovation.

Wrong ministry: PPC is under Ministry of Education, NOT Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports or PMO.
Edition number confusion: 2026 = 9th edition, 2025 = 8th, 2018 = 1st.
Venue: 2026 main event at Bharat Mandapam, not Talkatora Stadium (used in earlier years).
Dev Mogra is in Gujarat, not Maharashtra/MP; pairing all 4 regional venues to correct states is a likely match-the-pair trap.
Date trap: PPC 2026's registrations milestone (Jan 13) vs main event (Feb 6) — two different dates.
PPC was launched in 2018, not 2014 or 2019.