Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, “Pariksha Pe Charcha” is an annual project meant to solve issues of students under exam-related stress.
The program offers a forum whereby students may engage directly with the Prime Minister and acquire useful techniques for managing stress, time management, and academic pressure.
To provide insightful guidance based on actual experience, “Pariksha Pe Charcha” has over the years included eminent people like psychologists, educationists, and students who have performed very well on competitive tests.
But the 2025 version of “Pariksha Pe Charcha” brought a fresh approach by bringing Olympic boxer Mary Kom, spiritual leader Sadhguru, and Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone to address subjects including mental health and discipline.
Although Padukone’s participation seems like an attempt to make the event more interesting, it begs major questions about her relevance at an event designed to help kids negotiate academic obstacles.
Originally meant to highlight real test warriors—those who have effectively negotiated India’s demanding educational system—the event is now appearing to be driven by celebrities.
This article questions the invitation to Deepika Padukone to “Pariksha Pe Charcha,” contending that if the event included IIT, UPSC, and IIM toppers who have personally experienced the academic challenges students confront, it would be considerably more beneficial.
Examining Celebrity Inclusion: a Publicity Stunt Over Content
Although the intention to draw more spectators and create media attention drives the decision to invite celebrities to “Pariksha Pe Charcha,” it goes against the main goal of the event: enabling students to properly address academic stress.
Though a gifted actress and mental health champion, Deepika Padukone lacks the lived experience of studying for and performing exceptionally well on India’s most difficult tests.
Though inspirational, her path in Bollywood does not offer the particular intellectual insights sought by students attending the program.
Students attending “Pariksha Pe Charcha” are seeking for practical advice on how to prepare for IIT-JEE, manage UPSC exam pressure, or efficiently balance several courses.
These are difficulties that call for understanding from people who have conquered them, not from someone whose job mostly consists of the entertainment business.
Padukone’s involvement also fits a larger trend whereby celebrities are given a forum to address problems outside of their field of knowledge.
Although mental health is clearly a hot issue, students need guidance from people who have struck a balance between their academic rigidity needed for success in India’s educational system and their well-being.
More relevant and practical insights would come from a UPSC topper talking about their stress-related challenges and how they overcome them than from a celebrity offering general comments on mental health.
Who Should Speak at “Pariksha Pe Charcha”? The Value of Real Exam Warriors
Should “Pariksha Pe Charcha” really seek to help students, it should include people who have personally negotiated academic obstacles.
Inviting those who have passed India’s toughest tests—IIT-JEE, UPSC, CAT, and NEET—would give students:
- UPSC and IIT top students can discuss their approaches for efficient syllabus coverage, time management, and study techniques.
- Learning from these successful students how they managed pressure will help students avoid losing drive.
- Real-life tales of overcoming self-doubt, maintaining discipline, and conquering obstacles are more helpful than general inspirational speeches.
Students ready for such trials would benefit much from an IIT topper talking about how they managed their daily study plan, handled failure in simulated tests, and kept motivated.
Far more value would come from a UPSC rank-holder describing how they overcome several attempts, failures, and hard hours of preparation than from an actor discussing personal issues unrelated to academia.
By giving such people top priority, “Pariksha Pe Charcha” may remain an event that actually helps students rather than serving as a venue for celebrity appearances meant to boost TRPs.
Public and Social Media Reactions: Divergent Views of Celebrity Involvement
Deepika Padukone’s appearance in “Pariksha Pe Charcha” has generated a discussion on social media where many doubt her participation’s relevance.
Although some have valued her attempts to raise awareness of mental health issues, others contend that her presence lessens the event’s instructional emphasis.
Many parents and kids have expressed worries on websites like Facebook and Twitter, claiming that celebrities like Padukone lack the required knowledge to help pupils under academic pressure.
Notes like “Why is a Bollywood actress telling students how to prepare for exams?” and “We need real toppers, not film stars!” capture the annoyance of some who feel the event is straying from its intended use.
Furthermore, some detractors have noted that Padukone’s attendance at “Pariksha Pe Charcha” seems to be a calculated attempt to improve her public image rather than a sincere commitment to help kids’ academic well-being.
Given her several movie releases scheduled for 2025, some people think her attendance at the event may be more about media exposure than providing insightful analysis.
The basic question that has to be answered is: “Pariksha Pe Charcha”‘s main goal? Is it meant to thrill viewers with well-known celebrity appearances or encourage pupils with relevant and useful advice?
Should the aim still be to provide students with the greatest coping mechanisms for tests, the event should give speakers who have personally gone through and conquered academic challenges top priority. This entails inviting:
- past IIT-JEE high performers who can talk about their approaches to learning.
- UPSC rank-holders who may relate their path of grit and tenacity.
- Top performers on the CBSE and ICSE board exams can offer ideas on how to address syllabus pressure.
Psychologists with expertise in student stress management.
“Pariksha Pe Charcha” can keep its integrity and guarantee that students get the finest direction possible by concentrating on people who can provide direct, experience-based counsel.
The Greater View: The Function of Celebrities in Events With an Educational Theme
The more general question this argument raises is whether celebrities ought to have a place in venues designed for intellectual and educational conversations.
Although their participation might boost media coverage and attract the event to the general public, it does not inevitably enhance the value of students’ educational opportunities.
Events where their knowledge is pertinent should welcome celebrities. For a workshop on public speaking, theater, or filmmaking, for example, actor perspectives would be invaluable.
Regarding academic excellence and exam preparation, however, it is only reasonable to highlight those who have gone through such experience.
In essence, keeping “Pariksha Pe Charcha” student-oriented
Although Deepika Padukone is a revered actress and supporter of mental health awareness, her attendance at “Pariksha Pe Charcha” does not fit the main goal of the event—that which is to give pupils academic direction.
Though insightful in a different environment, her observations cannot substitute the knowledge of people who have negotiated India’s competitive academic scene.
If “Pariksha Pe Charcha” is to remain a significant and motivating event for students, it has to give actual exam warriors—those who have personally experienced breaking through academic strain and cracking difficult tests top priority.
Delivering useful, experience-based insights should take precedence above using the platform as a publicity tool for celebrities.
Ensuring that next versions of “Pariksha Pe Charcha” stay loyal to its original intent would help the event to remain a great tool for kids, providing the knowledge and inspiration they need to excel academically.
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