'To completely curb use of unfair means': President Murmu underlines push to protect exams

Murmu described the country’s youth as its “most valuable asset” and highlighting their role in entrepreneurship, space research, innovation and job creation.

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.

President Droupadi Murmu addresses the nation on the eve of 80th Independence Day, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)

Track live updates on Independence Day celebrations

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. 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. “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.”

President Droupadi Murmu on exam reforms

Anti-paper leak bill after NEET row

It provides tougher ₹50 lakh fine for individual offenders, and up to ₹10 crore for organised syndicates">penalties, including up to 10 years’ imprisonment and ₹50 lakh fine for individual offenders, and up to ₹10 crore for organised syndicates. 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.

Murmu also pointed to new avenues opening up for young people through government initiatives and emerging economic activities, including self-employment, entrepreneurship and the expanding start-up ecosystem, urging them to explore these paths to success.

She said India’s young population was talented, committed and skilled, and cited the example of a recent successful rocket launch by a young team whose average age was 28.

On July 18, the Hyderabad-based space startup Skyroot Aerospace—driven by a young team with an average age of just 28—successfully executed “Mission Aagaman,” launching India’s first privately developed orbital rocket ‘Vikram-1’ from Sriharikota and placing multiple payloads into a 450 km low Earth orbit.

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.

The President also highlighted the growing participation of women in education, entrepreneurship and leadership. 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. “In the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, women have won 8 out of India’s total tally of 13 gold medals. Our women are increasingly achieving economic self-reliance. More than 10 crore women are members of Self Help Groups,” she said.

The President also devoted a significant part of her address to national security, terrorism and internal security.

Recalling Operation Sindoor, launched in May last year in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, Murmu said the operation demonstrated the capability of the armed forces to act with precision and sent “a clear and firm message to terrorists and those who support them”.

Lauding India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, 2025, a day after Pahalgam terror, Murmu said, “Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with the country that harbours terrorism is a decisive step in the interest of our nation, especially the farmers.”

Murmu also stated that making India “Naxal free” was a major achievement, saying regions once affected by Naxalism were now witnessing enthusiasm and development. She cited the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum as examples of growing participation in sports and cultural activities in the region.

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.

She highlighted the expansion of highways, waterways, railways and airways, saying modern infrastructure was creating opportunities for enterprises, generating employment and boosting investor confidence.

Murmu also underlined India’s digital transformation, saying more than half of the world’s real-time digital transactions now take place in India. She said the country’s economic progress, digital infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan had strengthened the foundations of economic progress and national security.

The President also paid tribute to freedom fighters and recalled Partition, saying the country must remember those who lost their lives or were displaced during the violence. She also invoked the legacy of social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, highlighting their contributions to social justice, education, women’s empowerment and equality.

She concluded her address by calling for an “all-inclusive spirit of patriotism” and urged citizens to devote themselves to transforming independent India into a developed nation.

The address was preceded and followed by the National Song Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.