Public examinations are “gateways to the opportunities” available to students, and the government is undertaking “comprehensive steps” to curb unfair practices and make the system more transparent, secure and trustworthy, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday, as she highlighted the opportunities opening up for India’s youth and outlined the country’s progress in her address to the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.
Addressing the nation, Murmu said 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35, describing the country’s youth as its “most valuable asset” and highlighting their role in entrepreneurship, space research, innovation and job creation.
“Our students are the architects of India’s future. “Public examinations become gateways to the opportunities for our students. The Government is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations. The objectives of these reforms are to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations, make the examination system more transparent, more secure, and more trustworthy for the youth. It also includes provisions for Special Fast Track Courts to ensure speedy, day-to-day trials of exam malpractice cases, with investigations mandated to be completed within two months. The government has also formed a high-powered exam-reforms task force chaired by Nandan Nilekani to formulate comprehensive, tech-driven, and leak-proof exam-reforms recommendations to restore systemic transparency and public trust. The President also highlighted the growing participation of women in education, entrepreneurship and leadership. Our women are increasingly achieving economic self-reliance.
It provides tougher penalties, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and ₹ 50 lakh fine for individual offenders, and up to ₹ 10 crore for organised syndicates . “In the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, women have won 8 out of India’s total tally of 13 gold medals. More than 10 crore women are members of Self Help Groups,” she said. She spoke about India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the valour of the armed forces during Operation Sindoor, reforms in the examination system and the country’s digital transformation.
Just as the government and society must remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of our students,” she said. Murmu said efforts to promote sports were also aimed at youth development and nation-building, with the government making “unprecedented investments” through initiatives such as Khelo India. More than 100 million women are members of self-help groups, she said, adding that the target of creating three crore “Lakhpati Didis” had been achieved and the country was now moving towards creating another 30 million. On the broader development agenda, the President said India was moving towards the goal of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, with the government seeking to ensure that the benefits of development reach every citizen.
Earlier reporting noted: She also spoke about poverty reduction, financial inclusion and the government’s efforts to make public examinations more transparent, secure and trustworthy for young people. Earlier reporting noted: President Murmu on Indus Water Treaty suspension: ‘Decisive step in interest of nation, farmers’ President Droupadi Murmu on Friday addressed the nation on the eve of Independence Day.
