Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024: Ministry of Education Defends Rising Costs

Exam Chat Show Expenditure Soars: Is Pariksha Pe Charcha Worth the Investment?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's annual chat show, Pariksha Pe Charcha, which involves discussions with students, parents, and teachers about board exams and related tips, has incurred a total expenditure of Rs 64.38 crore since its inception in 2020. The show has been held annually since 2018. This information was shared by the Ministry of Education in response to questions raised by MPs Mala Roy and Manickam Tagore, who had inquired about the costs and the rationale behind the allocation of such funds.

The expenditure on Pariksha Pe Charcha over the past five years has varied significantly. In 2020, the cost was reported to be Rs 5.69 crore, which slightly increased to Rs 6 crore in 2021. The spending rose further in 2022, reaching Rs 8.16 crore. However, in 2023, a sharp increase was observed, with the expenditure surging to Rs 27.70 crore, marking the highest amount spent during this period. In 2024, while the spending decreased to Rs 16.83 crore, it remained considerably higher than in previous years. The Ministry of Education clarified that the expenditure for Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) covers various components, including hospitality for children travelling from across the country and the overall organization of the event. This explanation was provided in a written response published on the Ministry's website.

In addition, MPs Mala Roy and Manickam Tagore also inquired about the implementation of the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE). In reply, the Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, stated that a third-party evaluation report had identified several limitations in the scheme's design and implementation. These limitations included the persistent under-representation of rural areas, girls, and certain states among scholarship awardees, as well as challenges such as long travel distances to examination centres, insufficient financial assistance, ineffective nurturing, and inadequate dissemination of information regarding the scheme.

As a result, the scheme and its key components are currently undergoing a comprehensive review to align them with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to address these issues and enhance the scheme's effectiveness. Furthermore, Chaudhary mentioned that the budget for the Ministry of Education has been progressively increased over the years, reaching Rs 93,224 crore for the 2021-22 fiscal year and Rs 1,21,118 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, to support the Ministry's various activities.

This year, the eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha was held on February 10 at Sundar Nursery, where several renowned personalities, including actor Deepika Padukone, actor Vikrant Massey, actress Bhumi Pednekar, six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom, and spiritual leader Sadhguru, interacted with students and shared their advice. Additionally, toppers from various exams such as UPSC, IIT-JEE, CLAT, CBSE, NDA, and ICSE, along with participants from previous editions of PPC, discussed how the sessions had positively influenced their preparation strategies and kept them motivated.

Editor's Note

The rising costs of Prime Minister Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC), totalling Rs 64.38 crore since 2020, have sparked debate over its justification. While the event offers valuable guidance to students and involves prominent personalities, the increasing expenditure peaking at Rs 27.70 crore in 2023—raises concerns about the efficient use of public funds. On one hand, the event's scale and hospitality justify some costs, but critics argue that these funds could be better spent on direct educational initiatives or addressing the issues faced by under-represented students. The rising expenses warrant continued scrutiny to ensure funds are used effectively for the broader student community.

Skoobuzz believes that as we continue to invest in initiatives like Pariksha Pe Charcha, it is essential to ensure that such endeavours deliver tangible benefits and contribute meaningfully to the educational landscape.