Kurukshetra Magazine August 2024 - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


mid the bustling realm of education 
technology or EdTech, as it is commonly 
known, India is undergoing a significant 
transformation in e-learning driven by 
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global 
adoption of technology in the education sector is vastly 
changing the way we teach and learn. With so much 
content available at the click of a button, learning has 
been revolutionised and AI is proving to be a game-
changer, bringing significant advancements in teaching 
* Himanshu Joshi
** Garima Ujjainia
* The author is a Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
** The author is a Young Professional, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Indeed, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors 
globally, and education is no exception. In India, a country with a diverse and vast 
educational landscape, AI is revolutionising e-learning, especially in areas where 
access to quality education has been historically limited. This article explores how 
AI is reshaping e-learning in India, the role of significant investments and initiatives, 
and the potential of AI to bridge educational gaps in India.
A
methodologies, personalised learning, and overall 
student engagement. AI in education aims to achieve 
optimal outcomes for students by leveraging enormous 
data and combining it with the human interface that a 
teacher brings in the learning pedagogy. 
In India, the integration of AI in education has 
showcased remarkable potential, reshaped traditional 
methods, and brought forth a new era of personalised 
learning and innovation. India holds an important 
place in the global education industry and has one of 
e-learning: 
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the 
Learning Landscape in India
Page 2


mid the bustling realm of education 
technology or EdTech, as it is commonly 
known, India is undergoing a significant 
transformation in e-learning driven by 
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global 
adoption of technology in the education sector is vastly 
changing the way we teach and learn. With so much 
content available at the click of a button, learning has 
been revolutionised and AI is proving to be a game-
changer, bringing significant advancements in teaching 
* Himanshu Joshi
** Garima Ujjainia
* The author is a Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
** The author is a Young Professional, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Indeed, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors 
globally, and education is no exception. In India, a country with a diverse and vast 
educational landscape, AI is revolutionising e-learning, especially in areas where 
access to quality education has been historically limited. This article explores how 
AI is reshaping e-learning in India, the role of significant investments and initiatives, 
and the potential of AI to bridge educational gaps in India.
A
methodologies, personalised learning, and overall 
student engagement. AI in education aims to achieve 
optimal outcomes for students by leveraging enormous 
data and combining it with the human interface that a 
teacher brings in the learning pedagogy. 
In India, the integration of AI in education has 
showcased remarkable potential, reshaped traditional 
methods, and brought forth a new era of personalised 
learning and innovation. India holds an important 
place in the global education industry and has one of 
e-learning: 
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the 
Learning Landscape in India
18 Kurukshetra       August  2024
the largest networks of higher education institutions in 
the world. According to a recent UNESCO report, the 
AI market in India is expected to reach $7.8 billion by 
2025. Furthermore, AI in the education market would to 
be valued at around $20.54 billion by 2027. 
During the pandemic, India underwent a significant 
evolution from basic online courses to comprehensive 
digital education platforms. When the country’s 
dropout rate was more than tripled—from 1.8 percent 
in 2018 to a staggering 5.3 percent in 2020, e-learning 
platforms presented promising models of learning from 
home, school and from anywhere. This shift in learning 
pattern predominantly impacted children hailing from 
marginalised communities further exacerbating existing 
inequalities.
The Evolution of E-Learning in India: Moving 
towards AI
In recent years, e-learning in India has undergone a 
remarkable transformation, significantly impacting the 
educational landscape especially the vast underserved 
rural areas. This evolution, driven by technological 
advancements and increased internet penetration, 
has been pivotal in addressing the educational needs, 
where traditional learning methods often fall short.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning 
experienced a sudden popularity and adoption as 
traditional learning centres were forced to remain close. 
The sudden shift to remote learning from traditional 
setup highlighted the effectiveness of e-learning 
platforms and tools. Educational institutions, from 
elementary schools to universities, quickly transitioned 
to online learning to ensure continuity of education. 
Teachers and professors embraced various e-learning 
tools and platforms to deliver lessons, interact with 
students, and assess their progress. Video conferencing 
software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google 
Meet which were go-to connecting tools for corporates 
became the main medium for conducting virtual classes 
and facilitating real-time communication.
To notch up Edtech game, a lot of startups and 
platforms have started using AI. This shift is very evident 
as AI promises to provide a personalised, adaptive 
learning experience. AI-driven platforms analyse 
student data to tailor educational content, ensuring that 
each learner progresses at their own pace. Automated 
grading and feedback systems streamline assessments, 
allowing educators to focus on instruction. Additionally, 
AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors offer real-
time assistance, enhancing student engagement and 
support. With such an intriguing platter of offerings, AI 
certainly will be a game changer for Education sector. 
Building LLMs for better Learning
Every student is different, and each has their own 
pace of learning. A notable study --2 Sigma problem-- 
published in 1984, evaluated classroom teaching 
in three different settings: conventional teaching, 
mastery teaching, and tutoring. While tutoring and 
mastery teaching significantly improved students’ 
overall grasp of the subjects compared to conventional 
teaching, investing in education to enhance the 
teacher-to-student ratio is challenging for developing 
countries like India due to limited resources and 
constrained budgets. Use of AI in EdTech, specifically 
in large language modelling(LLM), provides a perfect 
solution to this problem.
Page 3


mid the bustling realm of education 
technology or EdTech, as it is commonly 
known, India is undergoing a significant 
transformation in e-learning driven by 
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global 
adoption of technology in the education sector is vastly 
changing the way we teach and learn. With so much 
content available at the click of a button, learning has 
been revolutionised and AI is proving to be a game-
changer, bringing significant advancements in teaching 
* Himanshu Joshi
** Garima Ujjainia
* The author is a Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
** The author is a Young Professional, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Indeed, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors 
globally, and education is no exception. In India, a country with a diverse and vast 
educational landscape, AI is revolutionising e-learning, especially in areas where 
access to quality education has been historically limited. This article explores how 
AI is reshaping e-learning in India, the role of significant investments and initiatives, 
and the potential of AI to bridge educational gaps in India.
A
methodologies, personalised learning, and overall 
student engagement. AI in education aims to achieve 
optimal outcomes for students by leveraging enormous 
data and combining it with the human interface that a 
teacher brings in the learning pedagogy. 
In India, the integration of AI in education has 
showcased remarkable potential, reshaped traditional 
methods, and brought forth a new era of personalised 
learning and innovation. India holds an important 
place in the global education industry and has one of 
e-learning: 
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the 
Learning Landscape in India
18 Kurukshetra       August  2024
the largest networks of higher education institutions in 
the world. According to a recent UNESCO report, the 
AI market in India is expected to reach $7.8 billion by 
2025. Furthermore, AI in the education market would to 
be valued at around $20.54 billion by 2027. 
During the pandemic, India underwent a significant 
evolution from basic online courses to comprehensive 
digital education platforms. When the country’s 
dropout rate was more than tripled—from 1.8 percent 
in 2018 to a staggering 5.3 percent in 2020, e-learning 
platforms presented promising models of learning from 
home, school and from anywhere. This shift in learning 
pattern predominantly impacted children hailing from 
marginalised communities further exacerbating existing 
inequalities.
The Evolution of E-Learning in India: Moving 
towards AI
In recent years, e-learning in India has undergone a 
remarkable transformation, significantly impacting the 
educational landscape especially the vast underserved 
rural areas. This evolution, driven by technological 
advancements and increased internet penetration, 
has been pivotal in addressing the educational needs, 
where traditional learning methods often fall short.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning 
experienced a sudden popularity and adoption as 
traditional learning centres were forced to remain close. 
The sudden shift to remote learning from traditional 
setup highlighted the effectiveness of e-learning 
platforms and tools. Educational institutions, from 
elementary schools to universities, quickly transitioned 
to online learning to ensure continuity of education. 
Teachers and professors embraced various e-learning 
tools and platforms to deliver lessons, interact with 
students, and assess their progress. Video conferencing 
software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google 
Meet which were go-to connecting tools for corporates 
became the main medium for conducting virtual classes 
and facilitating real-time communication.
To notch up Edtech game, a lot of startups and 
platforms have started using AI. This shift is very evident 
as AI promises to provide a personalised, adaptive 
learning experience. AI-driven platforms analyse 
student data to tailor educational content, ensuring that 
each learner progresses at their own pace. Automated 
grading and feedback systems streamline assessments, 
allowing educators to focus on instruction. Additionally, 
AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors offer real-
time assistance, enhancing student engagement and 
support. With such an intriguing platter of offerings, AI 
certainly will be a game changer for Education sector. 
Building LLMs for better Learning
Every student is different, and each has their own 
pace of learning. A notable study --2 Sigma problem-- 
published in 1984, evaluated classroom teaching 
in three different settings: conventional teaching, 
mastery teaching, and tutoring. While tutoring and 
mastery teaching significantly improved students’ 
overall grasp of the subjects compared to conventional 
teaching, investing in education to enhance the 
teacher-to-student ratio is challenging for developing 
countries like India due to limited resources and 
constrained budgets. Use of AI in EdTech, specifically 
in large language modelling(LLM), provides a perfect 
solution to this problem.
19 Kurukshetra       August  2024
Large Language Models or LLMs are the building 
blocks of AI. They enable AI systems to interact with 
humans more naturally, enhancing applications like 
chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated content 
creation. Building a versatile and adaptable LLM makes 
them valuable across different fields, from customer 
service to education. Moreover, LLMs can process and 
analyse vast amounts of text, providing insights and 
facilitating decision-making. Their ability to generate 
human-like responses and understand context 
significantly boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of 
AI applications.
These language models are highly adaptable. 
Depending on their training data, they can serve 
various purposes, including acting as personal tutors 
in educational environments. For example, a model 
trained on a STEM curriculum can provide individualized 
attention to students through a conversational 
interface, helping them to learn at their own pace. 
They can also generate personalised tests based on the 
student’s progress, addressing a logistical challenge in 
traditional classrooms. Such solutions can specifically 
be designed for students in underserved regions of 
the country where the learning gap is always high. 
Furthermore, the Internet’s vast educational content 
can be inaccessible due to language barriers, especially 
for rural populations. Generative AI advancements can 
easily translate content into most spoken languages 
in the country, thereby ensuring access to educational 
content.
Champions of Change 
Last year, at a global conference, Sam Altman, Co-
Founder, ChatGPT said, “AI will continue to get way more 
capable and will become ubiquitous as time goes on”. 
He further added healthcare and education are most 
ripe for innovation, and education is poised to benefit 
from personalised learning experiences especially 
through AI disruption.
While traditional learning still holds, adding 
technology to education will complement the existing 
learning means. Today more than 2 million students are 
enrolled on Indian e-learning platforms like Unacademy, 
Toppr, Simplilearn which is expected to increase two-
fold by next year. Some of these platforms are also using 
technology like AR (Augmented Reality) & VR (Virtual 
Reality) into the content to enable a more immersive 
leaning.  
While some platforms are just working on 
e-learning, startups like Miko and Questt are using 
more immersive technology to become game changers. 
Miko is an AI-powered companion robot for children 
that can talk, respond, educate, provide entertainment, 
and understand the child’s needs, emotions, likes, and 
dislikes integrating with a companion application that 
allows parents to control and manage the settings. On 
the other hand, Questt, is AI-based platform offering 
study planning tools for students. It offers study plans 
comprising a timetable, quizzes, and learning material. 
It offers solutions such as a question bank for assigning 
homework tasks and insights and analytics to distinguish 
right and wrong answers.
Other startups like Embibe and Toppr are using AI 
to enhance test preparation by offering personalised 
practice tests and detailed performance analytics. 
Embibe’s AI-driven platform provides in-depth analysis 
of students’ strengths and weaknesses, while Toppr’s 
adaptive learning technology ensures that each student 
receives customised study plans. These personalised 
approaches help build a differentiated learning curve as 
per the pace of the learner thereby creating significant 
benefits over the traditional classroom-based approach.
In rural areas, startups such as Doubtnut are 
breaking language barriers by offering educational 
content in multiple Indian languages. Doubtnut uses AI 
to provide instant video solutions to students’ queries, 
making learning accessible to those with limited 
resources. In a country like India which has 22 Schedule 
Page 4


mid the bustling realm of education 
technology or EdTech, as it is commonly 
known, India is undergoing a significant 
transformation in e-learning driven by 
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global 
adoption of technology in the education sector is vastly 
changing the way we teach and learn. With so much 
content available at the click of a button, learning has 
been revolutionised and AI is proving to be a game-
changer, bringing significant advancements in teaching 
* Himanshu Joshi
** Garima Ujjainia
* The author is a Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
** The author is a Young Professional, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Indeed, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors 
globally, and education is no exception. In India, a country with a diverse and vast 
educational landscape, AI is revolutionising e-learning, especially in areas where 
access to quality education has been historically limited. This article explores how 
AI is reshaping e-learning in India, the role of significant investments and initiatives, 
and the potential of AI to bridge educational gaps in India.
A
methodologies, personalised learning, and overall 
student engagement. AI in education aims to achieve 
optimal outcomes for students by leveraging enormous 
data and combining it with the human interface that a 
teacher brings in the learning pedagogy. 
In India, the integration of AI in education has 
showcased remarkable potential, reshaped traditional 
methods, and brought forth a new era of personalised 
learning and innovation. India holds an important 
place in the global education industry and has one of 
e-learning: 
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the 
Learning Landscape in India
18 Kurukshetra       August  2024
the largest networks of higher education institutions in 
the world. According to a recent UNESCO report, the 
AI market in India is expected to reach $7.8 billion by 
2025. Furthermore, AI in the education market would to 
be valued at around $20.54 billion by 2027. 
During the pandemic, India underwent a significant 
evolution from basic online courses to comprehensive 
digital education platforms. When the country’s 
dropout rate was more than tripled—from 1.8 percent 
in 2018 to a staggering 5.3 percent in 2020, e-learning 
platforms presented promising models of learning from 
home, school and from anywhere. This shift in learning 
pattern predominantly impacted children hailing from 
marginalised communities further exacerbating existing 
inequalities.
The Evolution of E-Learning in India: Moving 
towards AI
In recent years, e-learning in India has undergone a 
remarkable transformation, significantly impacting the 
educational landscape especially the vast underserved 
rural areas. This evolution, driven by technological 
advancements and increased internet penetration, 
has been pivotal in addressing the educational needs, 
where traditional learning methods often fall short.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning 
experienced a sudden popularity and adoption as 
traditional learning centres were forced to remain close. 
The sudden shift to remote learning from traditional 
setup highlighted the effectiveness of e-learning 
platforms and tools. Educational institutions, from 
elementary schools to universities, quickly transitioned 
to online learning to ensure continuity of education. 
Teachers and professors embraced various e-learning 
tools and platforms to deliver lessons, interact with 
students, and assess their progress. Video conferencing 
software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google 
Meet which were go-to connecting tools for corporates 
became the main medium for conducting virtual classes 
and facilitating real-time communication.
To notch up Edtech game, a lot of startups and 
platforms have started using AI. This shift is very evident 
as AI promises to provide a personalised, adaptive 
learning experience. AI-driven platforms analyse 
student data to tailor educational content, ensuring that 
each learner progresses at their own pace. Automated 
grading and feedback systems streamline assessments, 
allowing educators to focus on instruction. Additionally, 
AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors offer real-
time assistance, enhancing student engagement and 
support. With such an intriguing platter of offerings, AI 
certainly will be a game changer for Education sector. 
Building LLMs for better Learning
Every student is different, and each has their own 
pace of learning. A notable study --2 Sigma problem-- 
published in 1984, evaluated classroom teaching 
in three different settings: conventional teaching, 
mastery teaching, and tutoring. While tutoring and 
mastery teaching significantly improved students’ 
overall grasp of the subjects compared to conventional 
teaching, investing in education to enhance the 
teacher-to-student ratio is challenging for developing 
countries like India due to limited resources and 
constrained budgets. Use of AI in EdTech, specifically 
in large language modelling(LLM), provides a perfect 
solution to this problem.
19 Kurukshetra       August  2024
Large Language Models or LLMs are the building 
blocks of AI. They enable AI systems to interact with 
humans more naturally, enhancing applications like 
chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated content 
creation. Building a versatile and adaptable LLM makes 
them valuable across different fields, from customer 
service to education. Moreover, LLMs can process and 
analyse vast amounts of text, providing insights and 
facilitating decision-making. Their ability to generate 
human-like responses and understand context 
significantly boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of 
AI applications.
These language models are highly adaptable. 
Depending on their training data, they can serve 
various purposes, including acting as personal tutors 
in educational environments. For example, a model 
trained on a STEM curriculum can provide individualized 
attention to students through a conversational 
interface, helping them to learn at their own pace. 
They can also generate personalised tests based on the 
student’s progress, addressing a logistical challenge in 
traditional classrooms. Such solutions can specifically 
be designed for students in underserved regions of 
the country where the learning gap is always high. 
Furthermore, the Internet’s vast educational content 
can be inaccessible due to language barriers, especially 
for rural populations. Generative AI advancements can 
easily translate content into most spoken languages 
in the country, thereby ensuring access to educational 
content.
Champions of Change 
Last year, at a global conference, Sam Altman, Co-
Founder, ChatGPT said, “AI will continue to get way more 
capable and will become ubiquitous as time goes on”. 
He further added healthcare and education are most 
ripe for innovation, and education is poised to benefit 
from personalised learning experiences especially 
through AI disruption.
While traditional learning still holds, adding 
technology to education will complement the existing 
learning means. Today more than 2 million students are 
enrolled on Indian e-learning platforms like Unacademy, 
Toppr, Simplilearn which is expected to increase two-
fold by next year. Some of these platforms are also using 
technology like AR (Augmented Reality) & VR (Virtual 
Reality) into the content to enable a more immersive 
leaning.  
While some platforms are just working on 
e-learning, startups like Miko and Questt are using 
more immersive technology to become game changers. 
Miko is an AI-powered companion robot for children 
that can talk, respond, educate, provide entertainment, 
and understand the child’s needs, emotions, likes, and 
dislikes integrating with a companion application that 
allows parents to control and manage the settings. On 
the other hand, Questt, is AI-based platform offering 
study planning tools for students. It offers study plans 
comprising a timetable, quizzes, and learning material. 
It offers solutions such as a question bank for assigning 
homework tasks and insights and analytics to distinguish 
right and wrong answers.
Other startups like Embibe and Toppr are using AI 
to enhance test preparation by offering personalised 
practice tests and detailed performance analytics. 
Embibe’s AI-driven platform provides in-depth analysis 
of students’ strengths and weaknesses, while Toppr’s 
adaptive learning technology ensures that each student 
receives customised study plans. These personalised 
approaches help build a differentiated learning curve as 
per the pace of the learner thereby creating significant 
benefits over the traditional classroom-based approach.
In rural areas, startups such as Doubtnut are 
breaking language barriers by offering educational 
content in multiple Indian languages. Doubtnut uses AI 
to provide instant video solutions to students’ queries, 
making learning accessible to those with limited 
resources. In a country like India which has 22 Schedule 
20 Kurukshetra       August  2024
languages and many dialects, this can be a game 
changer in terms of reaching out to potential learners in 
their own language.
These startups are not only enhancing the quality 
of education but also addressing the digital divide 
by making learning resources available to students 
in remote and underserved areas. By integrating AI 
with education, these startups are transforming the 
e-learning landscape in India, ensuring that every 
student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of 
their location or background.
AI Penetration in India
Recognising the potential of AI in addressing 
challenges of accessibility, education, and resource 
limitations, the Government of India (GoI) announced 
National Program for AI with a view to guiding the 
research and development in new and emerging 
technologies. In 2020, National Artificial Intelligence 
Portal or ‘INDIAai’ was launched as a one-stop 
digital platform for AI-related developments in India. 
Following, in Dec 2023, Ministry of Electronics and 
Information Technology (MeitY) submitted the first 
edition of India-AI report. According to the report, AI 
will be the kinetic enabler of India’s digital economy 
and make Governance smarter and more data-led. 
AI is expected to add USD 967 billion to the Indian 
economy by 2035 and USD 450–500 billion to India’s 
GDP by 2025, accounting for 10% of the country’s USD 
5 trillion GDP target. 
While these initiatives have longer timelines, 
significant impact has been brought in by “Bhashini”, 
a government-led project aimed at breaking language 
barriers through AI. Bhashini leverages AI and natural 
language processing to create digital solutions across 
multiple Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity and 
accessibility for rural populations.
Bhashini focuses on developing AI-driven tools 
that translate and interpret regional languages, making 
digital content and services available in local dialects. 
This initiative is particularly vital for frontier and tribal 
areas, where most communication is in the local 
language and very less resources are allocated towards 
information and services. By providing AI-enabled 
translation and transcription services, Bhashini is trying 
to ensure that people across in these backward and 
less accessible regions can access various government 
schemes, consume educational content, and better use 
the healthcare infrastructure while communicating in 
their native languages.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship program 
of NITI Aayog has been a pioneer in disrupting the 
Indian education system. With more than 10,000 Atal 
Tinkering labs (ATLs), AIM has been able to impact 
more than 1.1 million school students with concepts of 
innovation, tinkering and entrepreneurship. An ATL is 
typically a space maker for students to play and tinker 
with their ideas within school premises. To inculcate 
a mindset of innovation in young entrepreneurs, ATL 
has developed curriculum focusing on robotics, 3D 
printing, computational thinking, space, drones, IoT 
and AI among others, starting from basic to advanced 
level. All these courses and resources are available in 
online versions through www.aim.gov.in. Further AIM 
with CBSE and Intel partnered together to develop 
‘AIoT Integration Curriculum’ to make tinkering and AI 
a part of the formal pedagogy. In 2024, AIM, CBSE and 
Intel jointly launched ‘India AI Impact Festival’ with an 
aim to foster AI readiness among students, educators 
and academic institutions, promoting innovation and 
problem-solving skills in an inclusive manner.
Equity and quality of education
As India marches towards becoming a $5 Trillion 
economy in the world, it would also be imperative 
to address the issues of inequity that plague the 
education sector. While a number of public schools are 
well endowed (as in the case of Kendriya Vidyalayas 
Page 5


mid the bustling realm of education 
technology or EdTech, as it is commonly 
known, India is undergoing a significant 
transformation in e-learning driven by 
Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global 
adoption of technology in the education sector is vastly 
changing the way we teach and learn. With so much 
content available at the click of a button, learning has 
been revolutionised and AI is proving to be a game-
changer, bringing significant advancements in teaching 
* Himanshu Joshi
** Garima Ujjainia
* The author is a Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
** The author is a Young Professional, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
Indeed, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various sectors 
globally, and education is no exception. In India, a country with a diverse and vast 
educational landscape, AI is revolutionising e-learning, especially in areas where 
access to quality education has been historically limited. This article explores how 
AI is reshaping e-learning in India, the role of significant investments and initiatives, 
and the potential of AI to bridge educational gaps in India.
A
methodologies, personalised learning, and overall 
student engagement. AI in education aims to achieve 
optimal outcomes for students by leveraging enormous 
data and combining it with the human interface that a 
teacher brings in the learning pedagogy. 
In India, the integration of AI in education has 
showcased remarkable potential, reshaped traditional 
methods, and brought forth a new era of personalised 
learning and innovation. India holds an important 
place in the global education industry and has one of 
e-learning: 
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the 
Learning Landscape in India
18 Kurukshetra       August  2024
the largest networks of higher education institutions in 
the world. According to a recent UNESCO report, the 
AI market in India is expected to reach $7.8 billion by 
2025. Furthermore, AI in the education market would to 
be valued at around $20.54 billion by 2027. 
During the pandemic, India underwent a significant 
evolution from basic online courses to comprehensive 
digital education platforms. When the country’s 
dropout rate was more than tripled—from 1.8 percent 
in 2018 to a staggering 5.3 percent in 2020, e-learning 
platforms presented promising models of learning from 
home, school and from anywhere. This shift in learning 
pattern predominantly impacted children hailing from 
marginalised communities further exacerbating existing 
inequalities.
The Evolution of E-Learning in India: Moving 
towards AI
In recent years, e-learning in India has undergone a 
remarkable transformation, significantly impacting the 
educational landscape especially the vast underserved 
rural areas. This evolution, driven by technological 
advancements and increased internet penetration, 
has been pivotal in addressing the educational needs, 
where traditional learning methods often fall short.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning 
experienced a sudden popularity and adoption as 
traditional learning centres were forced to remain close. 
The sudden shift to remote learning from traditional 
setup highlighted the effectiveness of e-learning 
platforms and tools. Educational institutions, from 
elementary schools to universities, quickly transitioned 
to online learning to ensure continuity of education. 
Teachers and professors embraced various e-learning 
tools and platforms to deliver lessons, interact with 
students, and assess their progress. Video conferencing 
software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google 
Meet which were go-to connecting tools for corporates 
became the main medium for conducting virtual classes 
and facilitating real-time communication.
To notch up Edtech game, a lot of startups and 
platforms have started using AI. This shift is very evident 
as AI promises to provide a personalised, adaptive 
learning experience. AI-driven platforms analyse 
student data to tailor educational content, ensuring that 
each learner progresses at their own pace. Automated 
grading and feedback systems streamline assessments, 
allowing educators to focus on instruction. Additionally, 
AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors offer real-
time assistance, enhancing student engagement and 
support. With such an intriguing platter of offerings, AI 
certainly will be a game changer for Education sector. 
Building LLMs for better Learning
Every student is different, and each has their own 
pace of learning. A notable study --2 Sigma problem-- 
published in 1984, evaluated classroom teaching 
in three different settings: conventional teaching, 
mastery teaching, and tutoring. While tutoring and 
mastery teaching significantly improved students’ 
overall grasp of the subjects compared to conventional 
teaching, investing in education to enhance the 
teacher-to-student ratio is challenging for developing 
countries like India due to limited resources and 
constrained budgets. Use of AI in EdTech, specifically 
in large language modelling(LLM), provides a perfect 
solution to this problem.
19 Kurukshetra       August  2024
Large Language Models or LLMs are the building 
blocks of AI. They enable AI systems to interact with 
humans more naturally, enhancing applications like 
chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated content 
creation. Building a versatile and adaptable LLM makes 
them valuable across different fields, from customer 
service to education. Moreover, LLMs can process and 
analyse vast amounts of text, providing insights and 
facilitating decision-making. Their ability to generate 
human-like responses and understand context 
significantly boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of 
AI applications.
These language models are highly adaptable. 
Depending on their training data, they can serve 
various purposes, including acting as personal tutors 
in educational environments. For example, a model 
trained on a STEM curriculum can provide individualized 
attention to students through a conversational 
interface, helping them to learn at their own pace. 
They can also generate personalised tests based on the 
student’s progress, addressing a logistical challenge in 
traditional classrooms. Such solutions can specifically 
be designed for students in underserved regions of 
the country where the learning gap is always high. 
Furthermore, the Internet’s vast educational content 
can be inaccessible due to language barriers, especially 
for rural populations. Generative AI advancements can 
easily translate content into most spoken languages 
in the country, thereby ensuring access to educational 
content.
Champions of Change 
Last year, at a global conference, Sam Altman, Co-
Founder, ChatGPT said, “AI will continue to get way more 
capable and will become ubiquitous as time goes on”. 
He further added healthcare and education are most 
ripe for innovation, and education is poised to benefit 
from personalised learning experiences especially 
through AI disruption.
While traditional learning still holds, adding 
technology to education will complement the existing 
learning means. Today more than 2 million students are 
enrolled on Indian e-learning platforms like Unacademy, 
Toppr, Simplilearn which is expected to increase two-
fold by next year. Some of these platforms are also using 
technology like AR (Augmented Reality) & VR (Virtual 
Reality) into the content to enable a more immersive 
leaning.  
While some platforms are just working on 
e-learning, startups like Miko and Questt are using 
more immersive technology to become game changers. 
Miko is an AI-powered companion robot for children 
that can talk, respond, educate, provide entertainment, 
and understand the child’s needs, emotions, likes, and 
dislikes integrating with a companion application that 
allows parents to control and manage the settings. On 
the other hand, Questt, is AI-based platform offering 
study planning tools for students. It offers study plans 
comprising a timetable, quizzes, and learning material. 
It offers solutions such as a question bank for assigning 
homework tasks and insights and analytics to distinguish 
right and wrong answers.
Other startups like Embibe and Toppr are using AI 
to enhance test preparation by offering personalised 
practice tests and detailed performance analytics. 
Embibe’s AI-driven platform provides in-depth analysis 
of students’ strengths and weaknesses, while Toppr’s 
adaptive learning technology ensures that each student 
receives customised study plans. These personalised 
approaches help build a differentiated learning curve as 
per the pace of the learner thereby creating significant 
benefits over the traditional classroom-based approach.
In rural areas, startups such as Doubtnut are 
breaking language barriers by offering educational 
content in multiple Indian languages. Doubtnut uses AI 
to provide instant video solutions to students’ queries, 
making learning accessible to those with limited 
resources. In a country like India which has 22 Schedule 
20 Kurukshetra       August  2024
languages and many dialects, this can be a game 
changer in terms of reaching out to potential learners in 
their own language.
These startups are not only enhancing the quality 
of education but also addressing the digital divide 
by making learning resources available to students 
in remote and underserved areas. By integrating AI 
with education, these startups are transforming the 
e-learning landscape in India, ensuring that every 
student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of 
their location or background.
AI Penetration in India
Recognising the potential of AI in addressing 
challenges of accessibility, education, and resource 
limitations, the Government of India (GoI) announced 
National Program for AI with a view to guiding the 
research and development in new and emerging 
technologies. In 2020, National Artificial Intelligence 
Portal or ‘INDIAai’ was launched as a one-stop 
digital platform for AI-related developments in India. 
Following, in Dec 2023, Ministry of Electronics and 
Information Technology (MeitY) submitted the first 
edition of India-AI report. According to the report, AI 
will be the kinetic enabler of India’s digital economy 
and make Governance smarter and more data-led. 
AI is expected to add USD 967 billion to the Indian 
economy by 2035 and USD 450–500 billion to India’s 
GDP by 2025, accounting for 10% of the country’s USD 
5 trillion GDP target. 
While these initiatives have longer timelines, 
significant impact has been brought in by “Bhashini”, 
a government-led project aimed at breaking language 
barriers through AI. Bhashini leverages AI and natural 
language processing to create digital solutions across 
multiple Indian languages, ensuring inclusivity and 
accessibility for rural populations.
Bhashini focuses on developing AI-driven tools 
that translate and interpret regional languages, making 
digital content and services available in local dialects. 
This initiative is particularly vital for frontier and tribal 
areas, where most communication is in the local 
language and very less resources are allocated towards 
information and services. By providing AI-enabled 
translation and transcription services, Bhashini is trying 
to ensure that people across in these backward and 
less accessible regions can access various government 
schemes, consume educational content, and better use 
the healthcare infrastructure while communicating in 
their native languages.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship program 
of NITI Aayog has been a pioneer in disrupting the 
Indian education system. With more than 10,000 Atal 
Tinkering labs (ATLs), AIM has been able to impact 
more than 1.1 million school students with concepts of 
innovation, tinkering and entrepreneurship. An ATL is 
typically a space maker for students to play and tinker 
with their ideas within school premises. To inculcate 
a mindset of innovation in young entrepreneurs, ATL 
has developed curriculum focusing on robotics, 3D 
printing, computational thinking, space, drones, IoT 
and AI among others, starting from basic to advanced 
level. All these courses and resources are available in 
online versions through www.aim.gov.in. Further AIM 
with CBSE and Intel partnered together to develop 
‘AIoT Integration Curriculum’ to make tinkering and AI 
a part of the formal pedagogy. In 2024, AIM, CBSE and 
Intel jointly launched ‘India AI Impact Festival’ with an 
aim to foster AI readiness among students, educators 
and academic institutions, promoting innovation and 
problem-solving skills in an inclusive manner.
Equity and quality of education
As India marches towards becoming a $5 Trillion 
economy in the world, it would also be imperative 
to address the issues of inequity that plague the 
education sector. While a number of public schools are 
well endowed (as in the case of Kendriya Vidyalayas 
21 Kurukshetra       August  2024
or Navodaya schools), there are thousands of public 
schools that are still struggling to ensure desired 
educational results. The main reason remains wide 
disparities in the infrastructure and resources of the 
schools across the regions of the country, mainly in the 
backward Aspirational Districts. 
A stratified education system significantly impacts 
the quality of education by limiting access for all 
students, especially the most marginalised. This barrier 
prevents these students from fully participating in 
school, enjoying the educational journey with proper 
teacher guidance, classroom resources, and necessary 
infrastructure, and successfully completing their 
secondary level education. Initiatives aimed at improving 
education quality, such as remedial teaching and bridge 
courses should be a focus of state governments who 
can partner with local NGOs and Gram Panchayats to 
help the targeted students. 
Technology can be the enabler in ensuring 
democratisation of the education, and AI can play a big 
role in it. We have seen how tele-medicine enabled access 
to doctors in terms of healthcare for far flung areas of 
the country. In a similar fashion various AI models can be 
built for students across backward areas in the country 
and bundled with vernacular content would ensure that 
each student is able to make the most of the learning 
opportunities at par with some of the cities.
Responsible AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Most 
businesses are evolving with the advent of AI and same 
shall be the case for learning as well which incudes 
for government as well as private enterprises. AI is 
transforming creative, legal, technical, educational, 
language, and medical sectors and as young people grow 
up in an AI-driven world, educators, mentors are uniquely 
positioned to equip the next generation of leaders with 
the skillset and mindset to use and build AI responsibly.    
Responsible AI in the education sector involves 
creating systems that are fair, transparent, and prioritise 
student welfare. There is also an element of data 
privacy where organisations have to ensure compliance 
as enormous data gets shared to build customised 
AI models. To maintain ethical standards, regular 
interventions from the Government are necessary. It 
is important that educators and policymakers in India 
continuously monitor AI applications across the globe 
and build policies and standards that take into account 
what is best for India.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence or AI is transforming e-learning 
in India, making education more personalised, 
interactive, and accessible. Increased opportunities for 
generating ideas and receiving instant feedback, which 
can support and empower students to analyse topics 
they are passionate about, is increasing their interest in 
global platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and other. 
Enhanced availability of assistive technologies to 
meet the needs of each student, including students 
who may not have fully participated in education due 
to geographic, political, technological, or personal 
constraints. AI gives students greater access to adaptive 
technologies, which empower young people with 
disabilities, language barriers, or other challenges 
through speech recognition, text-to-speech options, 
the ability to set their own pace, and more. In addition, 
just as the internet has opened borders and deepened 
opportunities for global fellowship, AI promises to 
enable international collaboration unhampered by 
language, cultural, and geographic differences.
Through initiatives like the India AI Mission, 
investments by global tech giants, and the efforts of 
innovative startups, AI is bridging educational gaps 
and democratising access to quality education. While 
challenges remain, the future of AI in e-learning is 
bright, with endless possibilities for innovation and 
improvement. As AI continues to evolve, it will play a 
central role in shaping the future of education in India, 
empowering learners and educators alike to achieve 
their full potential.  ?