Government Pushes AI for Teachers, Easing Open Schooling Framework

Syllabus: GS2/Education; GS3/Role of AI

Context

• Recently, India has unveiled plans to empower teachers with AI tools and liberalize the country’s open schooling framework to align India’s education system with the goals of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
  • The policy, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, underscores India’s commitment to ‘AI-enabled learning for all’.

Role of AI in Education

• AI For Teachers: AI-based platforms aim to be introduced to assist teachers in lesson planning, personalized assessments, and student engagement.
  • NCERT and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will collaborate to develop adaptive digital teaching aids capable of tailoring instructional materials based on student learning patterns.
  • It includes AI training modules for educators, developed in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Intel India under the AI for All program.
  • The goal is to empower teachers with AI-driven insights, helping them track learning outcomes and bridge knowledge gaps faster.
• AI For Open Schooling: The government seeks to streamline administrative procedures such as enrollment, performance tracking, and certification by integrating AI into the Open Schooling Framework.
  • It aims to enable NIOS learners to access real-time academic support and individualized progress dashboards.
  • A pilot project i.e. ‘Open AI Schools’ is announced to rollout allowing flexible, AI-supported curricula for distance learners.
  • Strengthening the NIOS Ecosystem:
    • Open Basic Education (OBE) for learners above 14 years of age (equivalent to Classes 3, 5, and 8)
    • Secondary and Senior Secondary courses
    • Vocational and Life-Enrichment programmes

Applications of AI in Education

• Bridging Digital and Linguistic Divides: The new AI platforms will be multilingual, supporting all 22 scheduled languages recognizing India’s linguistic diversity.
  • The initiative dovetails with the Bhashini Project, aimed at building AI-based language translation frameworks to ensure inclusivity in digital education.
• AI in Indian Classrooms: The transformative use of AI in Indian classrooms, where technology bridges rural-urban education gaps.
• Personalized Learning at Scale: One of AI’s most powerful contributions is its ability to tailor learning experiences to individual student needs. AI-driven platforms can:
  • Adapt content based on a learner’s pace, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Provide real-time feedback, helping students correct mistakes instantly.
  • Enable inclusive education by supporting learners with disabilities through tools like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and language translation.
• Empowering Educators: Initiatives like the ‘AI for All’ program and the AI Samarth platform aim to build digital capacity among educators. AI can assist teachers by:
  • Automating administrative tasks, freeing up time for instruction.
  • Identifying learning gaps through data analytics.
  • Enhancing engagement with interactive, multimedia-rich content.
  • Support systems to ensure ethical and effective use of AI in classrooms
• Predictive Analytics: AI models forecast student dropout risks and suggest remedial actions.
• Language and Accessibility Tools: Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications support translation and assist differently-abled learners.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

• Digital Divide: Unequal access to AI tools between rural and urban schools.
• Data Privacy: Ensuring the protection of student data.
• Teacher Preparedness: Teachers need training to use AI responsibly.
• Bias and Transparency: AI algorithms may reinforce socio-economic biases if not designed carefully.

Other Related Efforts & Initiatives

• National AI Portal: A platform to promote AI awareness and collaboration in education.
• AI for All Program: Introduced AI curriculum in CBSE schools to promote digital literacy.
• National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR): Uses AI for data-driven decision-making and personalized student learning.
• SWAYAM and DIKSHA platforms: Employ AI-based analytics to enhance online education experiences.
• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025: It was introduced during the Winter Session of Parliament in 2025, and has been referred to a joint parliamentary committee for review after initial opposition. It seeks to:
  • Modernise teaching standards and aligning education outcomes with national development goals.
  • Create pathways for non-traditional institutions like ITIs and skill centers to offer open schooling programs.
  • Expand access to flexible, inclusive education for out-of-school youth, working professionals, and marginalized communities.
  • Standardize technical education to ensure employability and promote entrepreneurship.
    • The government expects to bring it for passage by the end of the 2026 Budget Session.

Looking Ahead

• AI-in-educationdrive is part of a broader vision to make India a global hub for AI literacy and educational innovation by 2030.
  • It aligns with the Digital India Mission and supports the Skill India and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan initiatives.
• The phased rollout is expected to begin in the 2026–27 academic session, starting with pilot programs in 200 Kendriya Vidyalayas and select NIOS study centers.
• The government aims to create a more inclusive, lifelong learning framework, aligned with India’s vision for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by expanding its scope and relaxing institutional requirements.

Source: TH