NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for accelerating efforts to align India’s education system more closely with the needs of the real-world economy, while urging greater focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation.
Addressing a post-Budget webinar attended by representatives from multiple government ministries, departments and private-sector experts, Modi said fulfilling the aspirations of citizens remains the central resolve of his government. He identified sectors including education, skill development, health, tourism, sports and culture as key drivers in achieving that objective.
“Fulfilling the aspirations of the people is not merely a subject of discussion; it is the core objective and resolve of this government,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting the need for structural changes in the education landscape, Modi emphasised that India must further accelerate the process of linking its education ecosystem with the demands of the real economy. He called for enhanced focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, the digital economy and design-driven manufacturing to strengthen the country’s innovation and employment potential.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — noting the growing participation of girls in these disciplines. He said the increasing interest of young women in STEM fields is an encouraging sign for the country’s future in advanced technologies.
“At a time when the world is moving towards futuristic technologies, it is important that no daughter is held back due to lack of opportunity,” Modi said, while stressing the need to build a robust research ecosystem that provides young researchers with opportunities to pursue innovative ideas.
On the healthcare front, the Prime Minister said India’s health infrastructure has expanded significantly in recent years. He cited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the establishment of Arogya Mandirs for improving access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.
Modi also drew attention to the growing importance of the “care economy,” noting that the demand for trained caregivers is expected to rise as India’s elderly population expands. He urged stakeholders to develop new training models to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the sector’s future requirements.
The Prime Minister further said that India is moving towards a preventive and holistic healthcare framework, supported by the expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure. He noted that several new medical colleges have been established across districts, while wellness centres have helped extend health services to villages.
Highlighting the role of youth in national development, Modi said the country’s “youth power” transforms into “national power” when it is healthy, disciplined and driven by self-confidence.
He added that sports have increasingly been recognised as an important pillar of national development. Initiatives such as Khelo India, he said, have injected new momentum into the country’s sporting ecosystem while strengthening sports infrastructure nationwide.
