Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first Indian politicians to adapt to the social media era. His public outreach using the social media platforms boosted his popularity across the country. Now he has once again showed that he still rules the social media landscape. PM Modi shared his message to the people of India on Instagram and within 24 hours, his reel has been viewed almost 350 million times.
His Instagram reel on examination reforms has gone absolutely viral. The remarkable digital response came at a time when protests linked to the so-called Cockroach Janta Party movement are underway, placing the issue of examination integrity and student concerns at the centre of public debate.
The reel, in which PM Modi spoke directly about measures to tackle examination paper leaks and strengthen the credibility of competitive examinations, quickly went viral. The Prime Minister subsequently thanked young viewers for their overwhelming response and for sharing suggestions, signalling an attempt to engage directly with a demographic that increasingly relies on social media for news and political communication.
The scale of the response has also sparked discussion about the changing nature of political communication in India. Instead of relying solely on rallies, television interviews or traditional public meetings, political leaders are increasingly using short-form videos to communicate directly with millions of citizens.
The timing of the reel has added another dimension to the story. While the CJP protest has attempted to project itself as a platform representing student concerns, the enormous engagement with the Prime Minister’s video suggests that public conversations around education and examination reforms extend well beyond the protest venue. It also demonstrates the power of social media to shape political narratives almost instantly.
Reports have further indicated that PM Modi’s Instagram following rose by nearly one million after his video addressing concerns surrounding examination paper leaks.
Whether viewed as a sign of effective digital outreach or simply the power of a viral moment, the 346-million-view milestone highlights PM Modi’s formidable social media presence. At a time of heightened debate over student issues, the numbers underline how political communication is increasingly moving from the streets and television screens to the smartphones of millions of Indians.
