Classrooms across India are on the edge of something big. The government is taking serious steps to bring artificial intelligence into everyday teaching. This move goes beyond just adding new technology into classrooms. It’s about making learning more personal, helping teachers save time, and preparing students for a world where AI will be part of almost everything. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what this bold plan looks like, why it matters for both students and teachers, and how it could shape the future of education in India.
India’s Strategic Push for AI in Education
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant dream in Indian classrooms. Here’s a closer look at some of the ways the government is promoting the responsible use of AI in education:
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Government Investment
In the Union Budget 2025, the Government of India allocated ₹500 crore to establish an AI Centre of Excellence for Education. This move reflects a long-term commitment to:
- Address persistent learning gaps from primary to higher education
- Prepare students for future workforce demands in an AI-driven economy
- Position India as a global leader in AI-powered education solutions
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Policy & Curriculum Integration
AI in education isn’t just a concept; it’s part of formal policy. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 explicitly encourages the integration of AI and emerging technologies across all levels of learning. Key implementation milestones include:
- CBSE offering AI as a subject in Classes 9 to 12
- Collaborations with tech partners like IBM’s SkillsBuild and Intel’s AI Handbook to upskill both students and teachers
- As of 2024-25, over 8 lakh students from 4,538 schools have enrolled in AI subjects
- CISCE (ICSE Board) is introducing AI and Robotics as official subjects from the 2025-26 academic year
This shift is already impacting classrooms: a recent study shows that 62% of Indian educators, across both schools and higher education, are actively using generative AI tools for lesson planning, student feedback, and workflow automation.
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National and State-Level Initiatives
India is also driving AI adoption through national campaigns and state-level rollouts:
- AICTE has declared 2025 as the “Year of AI”, launching dedicated AI education programmes for 40 million students across 14,000 institutions
- States like Assam have introduced AI and Robotics as vocational subjects in schools
These efforts highlight a shared vision:
- Embed AI learning from K-12 through to university
- Foster public-private collaboration to deliver at scale
- Make AI a foundation for both quality education and economic competitiveness
Key Statistics Regarding AI in Education (India-Focused)
AI adoption in India’s education system is accelerating rapidly. The numbers below reflect the country’s growing readiness, scale, and ambition:
- 33.5% CAGR projected for India’s EdTech AI market between 2024–2028 (Statista, 2024)
- ₹500 crore allocated in the Union Budget 2025 to set up an AI Centre of Excellence for Education (Economic Times, 2025)
- 91% of education leaders believe AI will significantly transform pedagogy and assessments by 2026 (ICEF Monitor, 2025)
- 93% of higher-ed instructors expect AI to enhance their teaching effectiveness (ICEF Monitor, 2025)
- 62% of educators already use generative AI for lesson planning, feedback, and resources (Fortune India, 2024)
- 8+ lakh students from 4,500+ schools enrolled in AI courses under CBSE and other boards (IndiaAI, 2025)
- 386,000+ students opted for AI at secondary level (Classes IX-X combined) in 2022-23 academic year
- 580,000+ AI/ML professionals and 1,500+ EdTech startups fuel India’s education innovation engine (NASSCOM, 2024)
- Only 27% of students have consistent access to internet-enabled devices, highlighting the digital divide (UNESCO, 2024)
- CISCE and state boards like Assam have introduced AI and Robotics into formal curricula (CISCE/Assam Gov., 2024)
- Globally, the AI-in-education market is projected to grow from $3.8 billion in 2023 to $112 billion by 2034 (Grand View Research)
Closing Thoughts
India’s vision for AI in education is not just about keeping up with the world but about shaping its own path forward. By blending technology with thoughtful policies, the country is creating classrooms that prepare students for the future while empowering teachers in the present. The journey will take time, especially with challenges like digital access and training, but the direction is clear. With steady effort and collaboration, India’s classrooms could soon become living examples of how innovation and inclusion can grow together.
Prachi Singh
Prachi Singh is a highly accomplished educationist with over 16 years of experience in the EdTech industry. Currently, she plays a pivotal role at Extramarks, leading content strategy and curriculum development initiatives that shape the future of education...Read More
