Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged graduating students of IIT Delhi to avoid comparing their salaries, placements and professional achievements with others, stressing that personal growth and continuous self-improvement should define their journey.
Addressing the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi, PM Modi said the transition from campus life to the professional world would bring new responsibilities, challenges and opportunities. He advised the young graduates to remain focused on their own progress instead of measuring success through the achievements of their peers.
PM Modi’s Message: Your Real Competition Is With Yourself
Highlighting the growing influence of social media, the Prime Minister cautioned students against falling into a cycle of comparison. He said graduates should not allow differences in salaries, job offers, startup success or career milestones to determine their sense of achievement.
“Life is absolutely not a leaderboard; your real race is not with anyone else, it is with yourself”, said PM Modi.
The message came as the Prime Minister encouraged students to concentrate on developing their abilities and becoming better versions of themselves. He emphasized that every individual has a different journey and that comparing one’s progress with someone else’s can create unnecessary pressure.
IIT Degree Is More Than a Placement Package
PM Modi also reminded the graduating students that an IIT degree should not be measured simply by a high CGPA, a prestigious job or a lucrative salary package.
According to the Prime Minister, an IIT education represents the ability to understand complex challenges and find solutions to difficult problems. He urged students to carry this problem-solving mindset into their professional and personal lives.
He said the real value of their education would emerge when they use their knowledge to address challenges facing society and the country.
‘Life Will Be Out of Syllabus’
Drawing a comparison between academic examinations and real-life challenges, PM Modi said students should be prepared for situations where there will be no predefined questions or straightforward answers.
He described life as being fundamentally different from examinations because many of its biggest challenges are effectively “out of syllabus”.
The Prime Minister encouraged graduates to identify problems that people may have accepted as normal and work toward finding innovative solutions. He said some of the most successful alumni have been those who identified questions that others had stopped asking.
Youth at the Centre of Viksit Bharat
PM Modi linked the aspirations of IIT Delhi graduates with India’s broader development journey. He said the country’s youth have a crucial role to play in building a developed India over the coming decades.
He encouraged students to consider the national impact of their professional decisions and asked them to think about how their knowledge, innovation and leadership could contribute to India’s development.
The Prime Minister highlighted the opening of several emerging sectors to young innovators, including space technology, semiconductors, drones and startups.
From Space Technology to Semiconductor Innovation
Speaking about India’s expanding space ecosystem, PM Modi said government reforms have created new opportunities for young engineers and entrepreneurs. He pointed out that startups and young innovators are now participating in activities that were once largely limited to a small number of organisations and countries.
He also highlighted India’s progress in semiconductor manufacturing and the opportunities emerging in areas such as artificial intelligence, data centres, quantum computing, critical minerals, deep-sea exploration and energy security.
The Prime Minister said these sectors would require talented young people with the ability to innovate and lead.
Research and innovation also featured prominently in the Prime Minister’s address. He highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s research ecosystem, including the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
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He also referred to the One Nation One Subscription initiative, which aims to make access to leading international research journals easier for students and researchers across the country.
PM Modi urged IIT Delhi graduates to contribute to India’s research capabilities and develop solutions for challenges facing the nation and the world.
Learn Continuously to Stay Ahead
The Prime Minister also delivered a message on lifelong learning, pointing out that rapid technological change is transforming economies, industries and societies at an unprecedented pace.
He told students that their education should not end with their graduation. Instead, they must continue learning and adapting as technology and global circumstances evolve.
“The one who continuously learns is the one who will win,” PM Modi said, emphasizing that adaptability would remain one of the most important qualities for success in the changing world.
A New Journey Begins for IIT Delhi Graduates
PM Modi congratulated the graduating students, medal winners, parents, teachers, mentors and support staff who contributed to their academic journey.
He also encouraged the graduates to cherish their memories of IIT Delhi, saying that the friendships, mentorship and experiences built on campus would remain valuable throughout their lives.
As the students step into a new chapter, the Prime Minister’s central message was clear: success should not be defined by someone else’s achievements. Instead, the focus should remain on continuous learning, personal growth, innovation and meaningful contribution to the nation.
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