Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to educational institutions across India to temporarily shift towards online classes to help the country manage the growing energy crisis and reduce pressure on the economy.

He made the appeal on Monday while inaugurating the Sardardham Hostel complex in Vadodara.

PM Modi Calls West Asia Situation a Major Global Crisis

During his speech, the Prime Minister described the ongoing instability caused by tensions in West Asia and rising crude oil prices as one of the biggest global crises of the decade.

“If the Covid pandemic was the biggest crisis of this century, then the circumstances created by the war in West Asia are one of the major crises of this decade,” PM Modi said.

“Just as we together overcame the challenge of Covid, we will surely get through this crisis as well,” he added.

Online Classes Could Reduce Fuel Consumption

The Prime Minister said temporary online learning could help reduce petrol and diesel usage across the country. A shift to digital classes would reduce the daily movement of school buses, private vehicles, and public transport used by students and staff.

The government believes lower fuel consumption could help India reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves at a time when global crude oil prices remain above $105 per barrel.

Speaking at the inauguration of Sardardham Hostel in Vadodara. https://t.co/n6YSMRiWyq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2026

Push for Work From Home and Virtual Meetings

The appeal to schools and colleges came after PM Modi earlier encouraged companies to continue work-from-home arrangements wherever possible.

He also urged businesses to prioritise virtual meetings to reduce unnecessary travel and fuel usage.

According to the government, these steps are part of a larger effort to reduce dependence on imported fuel during the ongoing global crisis.

PM Modi Also Appeals for Lifestyle Changes

Apart from online classes and work-from-home practices, PM Modi made several other appeals aimed at conserving foreign exchange and strengthening the domestic economy.

He encouraged people to:

• Use metros, electric buses, and public transport
• Adopt carpooling whenever possible
• Delay gold purchases for some time
• Avoid unnecessary imports and support locally made products

The Prime Minister noted that excessive gold imports also place pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves.

Mixed Reactions to the Proposal

Some education and technology groups welcomed the suggestion and said India already has digital infrastructure developed during the Covid pandemic.

However, opposition leaders and some education experts raised concerns about the digital divide.

Critics argued that students in rural areas and families without stable internet access could face difficulties if schools return to online learning.

No Nationwide Order Yet

Despite the Prime Minister’s appeal, the government has not announced any mandatory nationwide order regarding online classes.

However, reports suggest that several state governments and major school boards are reviewing the proposal and discussing possible implementation options.