Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at his official residence in Bhopal. The meeting focused on a range of contemporary and developmental issues, with both leaders holding detailed discussions on matters concerning the state's growth and future priorities.

Following the meeting, Minister Pradhan participated in an interaction programme with athletes at the Shooting Academy alongside Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang. The event was organised as part of activities marking 12 years of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s tenure in office.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (Left) and MP CM Dr Yadav (Right)

NEP linking sports and academics

Addressing the gathering, Minister Pradhan highlighted the reforms introduced under the leadership of PM Modi, particularly in the fields of education and skill development. He said the government had, for the first time, placed significant emphasis on skill-based learning and integrated it into the broader educational framework.

The Union Minister noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) has created new opportunities to promote sports and physical education alongside academics. According to him, efforts are underway to develop specialised coursework that will enable students to pursue both education and sports simultaneously without compromising either field.

He further informed that athletes’ Academic Bank of Credits and achievement records would be linked through the Apaar ID system, creating a more comprehensive academic and sporting profile for students. The government is also working on a mechanism to connect participation in inter-sports activities with credit scores, thereby recognising sporting excellence within the academic ecosystem.

Self-Reliance and Olympic aspirations key objectives

Minister Pradhan said the PM Modi-led government had introduced sports quotas in premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), opening new avenues for talented athletes to pursue higher education.

Looking ahead, he emphasised the importance of self-reliance and national development over the next two decades. He said India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games reflects the country's growing aspirations on the global stage.

The Union Minister also reiterated the vision of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047, a goal set by PM Modi for the centenary year of India’s Independence. He expressed hopes that collective efforts in education, sports, innovation and skill development would help transform India into a developed and globally influential nation by the time it marks 100 years of freedom.