The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has declared 2025 as the “Year of AI”, unveiling a series of initiatives to strengthen artificial intelligence education and innovation across the country. The announcement was made by AICTE Chairman, Dr. T. G. Sitharam, during the STTAR Global Education Conference 2025 held in New Delhi.
AICTE Fellowship and Innovation Support
To support student innovators, AICTE has introduced the Productization Fellowship, under which selected teams will receive ₹40,000 per month for one year, extendable up to two years. The initiative aims to help students complete and commercialise their projects after graduation. According to AICTE, 5,000 fellowships have already been rolled out in the first phase.
Global Collaborations for AI Access
AICTE has signed agreements with international platforms to provide free access to AI tools:
- Perplexity AI will distribute 40 lakh licenses
- ChatGPT has offered five lakh school-level accounts and 1.5 lakh Pro accounts for rural learners
- AICTE has secured additional Pro accounts for government schools
These partnerships are designed to ensure that AI becomes accessible and inclusive, bridging the gap between urban and rural education systems.
Upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026
Dr. Sitharam also announced that India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, building on last year’s Paris edition co-hosted with France. The summit is expected to bring together global leaders, educators, and innovators to discuss the role of AI in shaping future education.
Focus on Human Values Alongside Technology
Highlighting the importance of values, the AICTE Chairman emphasised the Universal Human Touch Program (UHTP) available on SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus, promoting ethics, empathy, and social responsibility. He encouraged students to adopt practices such as yoga and meditation to balance technology with well-being.
AICTE’s Expanding Educational Ecosystem
As part of its broader mission, AICTE has:
- Developed over 600 textbooks in 22 Indian languages through its e-KUMB portal
- Established 14,000 Institute Innovation Councils (IICs)
- Set up 400 Idea Labs to promote project-based learning
Industry leaders also echoed these sentiments. Speaking at the conference, Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman of Jaipuria Group, remarked, “The pace of technological change is unlike anything humanity has ever witnessed. The challenge before us is not only about what AI can do, but what it will mean for us as human beings.”
