Andhra Pradesh and Nvidia sign MoU to revolutionise AI education and innovation

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June 7, 2025

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global tech leader Nvidia in a strategic move to position itself as a national leader in artificial intelligence. The alliance will spearhead the development of India’s first dedicated AI University and foster an end-to-end AI ecosystem focused on education, research, infrastructure, and startups.

Under this landmark collaboration, Andhra Pradesh will skill 10,000 engineering students across the state in AI over the next two years. Nvidia will play a key role by providing curriculum guidance, expert-led training modules, and technological tools to enhance AI learning in engineering colleges.

Beyond talent development, the partnership emphasises research and innovation. Plans include setting up high-impact AI research centres, launching joint research programs, and developing sector-specific AI applications to address real-world challenges.

Commenting on the initiative, Andhra Pradesh’s IT Minister, Shri Nara Lokesh, highlighted the state’s ambition to create a future-ready, innovation-driven economy powered by AI talent and entrepreneurship.

Nvidia will also support the creation of advanced computing infrastructure critical for the AI University, offering insights into the hardware, software, and platforms necessary for global-level academic and research excellence.

The MoU also aims to energise Andhra Pradesh’s startup scene. The state plans to help 500 AI-driven startups apply to Nvidia’s Inception program, unlocking access to mentorship, technology resources, and global markets.

Also Read: Delhi Government to invest ₹100 cr in 75 smart schools

Nvidia’s Managing Director, Asia South, Vishal Dhupar, emphasised the shared commitment to inclusive AI growth, scalable innovation, and accessible tech education.

This alliance marks a turning point in India’s AI journey, with Andhra Pradesh leading the charge by blending global expertise with local ambition to build a sustainable, innovation-first digital economy.

Delhi Government to invest ₹100 cr in 75 smart schools

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 6, 2025

In its first 100 days in office, the BJP-led Delhi government has made significant strides in reforming the capital’s education landscape. Highlighting the government’s commitment to modern, inclusive, and tech-driven learning, Cabinet Minister Ashish Sood announced a series of education-focused initiatives during a recent press briefing.

A major highlight is the development of 75 CM Shri Schools with an investment of ₹100 crore. These government-run model schools will be equipped with AI-based learning platforms, smart classrooms, robotics kits, data science modules, and AR/VR labs. The initiative aims to provide underprivileged students with access to futuristic learning environments that rival top-tier private institutions.

To promote multilingual skills and global readiness, 100 Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Language Labs will be set up in government schools, offering training in English, French, and German. Additionally, 250 government schools will soon house digital libraries, enhancing access to quality reading material and e-learning resources.

Financial aid has also been a priority. The Delhi government has released ₹275 crore as the first installment for 12 fully-funded Delhi University colleges and other state-run universities, addressing staff salaries and operational costs. In a significant relief for low-income families, ₹19 crore has been disbursed to 1,300 students under a long-pending scholarship scheme. The scheme, inactive since 2021–22, supports students from families earning less than ₹3 lakh annually.

Also Read: IIT Madras partners with Scaler School of Technology

Minister Sood reiterated that these reforms are part of a broader mission to make quality education accessible to all, especially students from economically weaker sections. “We’re ensuring every child, regardless of background, is prepared for global competition through access to advanced education tools and equal opportunities,” he stated.

These initiatives mark a decisive shift toward equity and excellence in Delhi’s education system, signaling the government’s intent to bridge the learning divide through investment in infrastructure, innovation, and inclusivity.

IIT Madras partners with Scaler School of Technology

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 6, 2025

IIT Madras has teamed up with Scaler School of Technology to offer learning tools for students pursuing its online BS in Data Science and Applications, in a forward-thinking move to transform digital education in India. Developed under the Institute’s Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), these tools aim to personalise learning experiences and provide flexibility for students across the country.

The collaboration follows a successful pilot earlier in 2025, where 500 students tested the new platform. Now, through a formal agreement signed on June 2, 2025, the initiative is set for broader rollout, combining IIT Madras’ academic excellence with Scaler’s strength in practical tech education.

These AI-powered tools are designed to support students beyond traditional classrooms. Features include interactive coding exercises, real-time feedback, interview preparation modules, and support for mastering advanced concepts—tools that are especially valuable for learners navigating online education independently.

What sets this initiative apart is the direct involvement of students from Scaler. As part of their four-year tech-focused programme, they collaborated with engineers to co-develop the platform’s features, ensuring the solutions reflect real learning challenges faced by students today.

While Scaler will be acknowledged for its role in building the tools, IIT Madras retains full control over data and privacy protocols, reinforcing its commitment to secure, student-centric education.

Also Read: IIIT Hyderabad launches Patram-7B

Speaking on the partnership, Professor Andrew Thangaraj, who leads CODE, said the technology will help deliver quality education at scale while allowing learners to move at their own pace. Scaler Co-founder Abhimanyu Saxena highlighted the practical nature of the collaboration, blending classroom needs with engineering solutions.

This alliance marks a significant step in making future-ready, tech-enabled education accessible and inclusive, particularly for aspiring data scientists across India.

IIIT Hyderabad launches Patram-7B

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 5, 2025

The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) has developed and launched Patram-7B-Instruct, the country’s first vision-language foundational model, specifically designed for understanding documents. This cutting-edge model is designed to interpret scanned papers and photographed texts using natural language queries, providing a powerful solution for sectors that deal with diverse and complex Indian document formats.

Patram is part of the broader BharatGen initiative, a government-backed effort to create indigenous multimodal AI models, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Built in just five months by a dedicated group of IIIT-Hyderabad alumni and student interns, with support from TiH-IoT at IIT Bombay, Patram-7B is a 7-billion parameter model that is already turning heads for its performance. Despite its relatively compact size, the model has shown strong results on international benchmarks such as DocVQA and VisualMRC, and has been tested successfully on Patram-Bench—a custom dataset designed to reflect real-world Indian document scenarios.

“Patram is a bold step toward making India self-reliant in AI. It bridges the gap between language and visual understanding, particularly for Indian documents,” said Prof. P. J. Narayanan, Director of IIIT-Hyderabad.

The model is open-sourced and now accessible via Hugging Face and AIKosh, India’s national AI platform. Its launch marks a key milestone in India’s push for open, indigenous AI infrastructure under initiatives like Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Also Read: Rajasthan reimagines student assessments with AI & NEP framework

In addition to Patram, the team also introduced DocBodh, a generative AI toolkit focused on document intelligence for use in governance, education, law, and business.

Dr. Ravi Kiran Sarvadevabhatla, associate professor at IIIT-H and lead researcher, added, “With Patram and DocBodh, we are building AI that understands India—not just linguistically, but structurally and culturally.”

Rajasthan reimagines student assessments with AI & NEP framework

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 4, 2025

Rajasthan is leading a groundbreaking transformation in school assessments by shifting from traditional rote-based exams to AI-enabled, competency-based, and diagnostic evaluations. This shift is fully aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), setting a new benchmark for student-centric learning in India.

“As Director, Secondary Education and Director, RSOS, I am proud to share how Rajasthan is shifting from traditional examinations to AI-enabled, competency-based, and diagnostic assessments that truly support learning outcomes,” said Mr. Ashish Modi (IAS), Director, Secondary Education, Government of Rajasthan.

Spearheaded under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, the reforms are designed to make assessment more meaningful, transparent, and learning-focused. The Department of Secondary Education and the Rajasthan State Open School (RSOS) are driving the implementation across thousands of schools and millions of students.

Key Highlights:

45+ lakh students assessed in Hindi, English, and Maths using AI-powered diagnostic tools.
270 minutes of structured remediation per week are now integrated into school routines.
Common Evaluation Test (CET) standardised for Classes 9 to 12 across Rajasthan.
26+ lakh students from Classes 3 to 8 underwent AI-based Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) tests, completed in 10 days using voice recognition.
RSOS introduced a 100% digital evaluation of answer sheets for improved speed, transparency, and accountability.

Also Read: Telangana trains 1.12 lakh teachers across 25,356 schools

These initiatives reflect a paradigm shift:

From memory testing to mastery measurement
From paper-based systems to digital governance
From routine exams to real-time feedback

The successful rollout has been made possible by the dedication of Rajasthan’s teachers, who continue to play a crucial role in implementing these reforms effectively. Strategic partnerships and robust technological support have further enabled the state to deliver high-impact outcomes at scale.

Rajasthan’s assessment model is emerging as a national benchmark for inclusive, effective, and tech-enabled learning aligned with 21st-century educational goals.

Telangana trains 1.12 lakh teachers across 25,356 schools

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 3, 2025

The Department of School Education in Telangana has successfully completed a large-scale teacher training program ahead of the 2025–26 academic year. Covering 25,356 government, local body, urban residential, and model schools, the initiative was carried out in three phases, each spanning five days, from May 13 to 31.

A total of 1,12,882 teachers and headmasters underwent training led by over 5,600 master trainers. Exemptions were granted to 1,165 teachers who are set to retire in July 2025. Additionally, 3,202 teachers currently on leave will be included in a forthcoming mop-up session. Overall, 97.24% of the targeted educators have completed the program.

Director of School Education, E.V. Narasimha Reddy, highlighted the strategic organisation of the training, with high school teachers trained at the district level and primary school teachers at the mandal level. Attendance and assessments were managed digitally via the Telangana School Education mobile app, which also generated individual training certificates based on pre- and post-assessment results.

Also Read: Kotak Education Foundation names Kavita Sanghvi as New Director of Education

The training focused on enhancing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) for primary levels and implementing the Learning Improvement Program (LIP) for secondary classes. The modules also equipped teachers with skills in innovative pedagogy, digital tools like AI and ICT, use of Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs), departmental initiatives, promoting drug-free school environments, adolescent safety and empowerment, and updated assessment practices.

This comprehensive training initiative aims to strengthen classroom effectiveness and align teaching standards with evolving educational needs.

Kotak Education Foundation names Kavita Sanghvi as New Director of Education

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 3, 2025

Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), the CSR-driven educational initiative of the Kotak Mahindra Group, has appointed renowned educator Kavita Sanghvi as its new Director of Education. With more than 20 years of expertise in academic leadership, STEM innovation, and sustainable education models, Ms. Sanghvi brings a transformative vision to the foundation’s mission of empowering underserved communities.

Before stepping into this role, Ms. Sanghvi led SVKM’s CNM School in Mumbai as Principal. She holds advanced degrees in Physics, Education, and Philosophy of Education, and is an alumna of the Harvard University Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership program. Throughout her career, she has championed inclusive learning and progressive pedagogies rooted in academic excellence.

At KEF, Ms. Sanghvi will lead strategic initiatives encompassing curriculum innovation, teacher development, and educational programs tailored for underprivileged learners. Her impactful contributions to the sector include developing the Global Outlook STEAM curriculum and the widely recognised “Build Your STEM Competency” course.

Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including the National Award in 2022 and the Derozio Award in 2024 by the CISCE Council. In 2023, she was selected for the National Mission for Mentoring by the Ministry of Education. Additionally, she has held ambassadorial roles with Teach SDG, Climate Action, and Scientix for India, underlining her global influence in education.

Welcoming her to the team, Dr. Ganesh Raja, CEO of KEF, said, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Kavita Sanghvi onboard. Her passion for inclusive, high-impact education aligns perfectly with our vision. Her leadership will help us drive meaningful change and elevate the quality of learning for the communities we serve.”

Also Read: Goa becomes India’s second fully literate state

Expressing her excitement, Ms. Sanghvi shared, “Joining KEF is a profound honor. The foundation’s mission mirrors my lifelong commitment to equitable, future-ready education. I am eager to collaborate with dedicated educators to unlock transformative learning experiences for every child.”

With Ms. Sanghvi at the helm, KEF is poised to deepen its impact and lead innovative efforts in inclusive and sustainable education across India.

Goa becomes India’s second fully literate state

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 3, 2025

Marking a major milestone in India’s literacy mission, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant announced Goa as a fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram during the 39th Statehood Day celebrations in Panaji.

Goa becomes the second state in India to cross the nationally prescribed 95% literacy benchmark, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goal of achieving full literacy by 2030.

While the PLFS 2023–24 pegged Goa’s literacy rate at 93.60%, the state’s comprehensive survey confirmed it has achieved full literacy.

A whole-of-government approach powered this success, with active involvement from departments including Panchayats, Social Welfare, Planning & Statistics, Municipal Administration, and Women & Child Development. These departments identified and mobilised non-literate individuals across the state.

Swayampurna Mitras and field workers led awareness drives, helped citizens complete literacy certifications, and guided them through ULLAS learning modules. The Goa Education Department, SCERT, school heads, and volunteers also played key roles.

ULLAS (2022–2027) is a centrally sponsored adult education scheme aligned with NEP 2020. It targets non-literate adults aged 15+ with five components: Foundational Literacy & Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

Also Read: India’s first fully literate state – Mizoram

So far, over 2.4 crore learners and 41 lakh volunteers have registered on the ULLAS mobile app, with 1.77 crore learners appearing for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment.

Goa now stands as a model for people-centric, volunteer-led literacy drives and reinforces the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

IGNOU and IIT Bombay launch Project Udaan

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 2, 2025

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to launch Project Udaan – an AI-driven translation platform designed to make academic content available in multiple Indian languages.

Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes multilingual learning and inclusive education, Project Udaan leverages advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technologies. These tools enable the accurate translation of complex academic and technical materials while maintaining their original formatting and clarity.

During the MoU signing ceremony, Professor Ganesh Ramakrishnan of IIT Bombay emphasized the importance of linguistic inclusivity in education. “Project Udaan is designed to cater to India’s diverse learner base by removing language as a barrier to knowledge,” he noted.

Also Read: Delhi Government proposes 5X boost in stipend for handloom trainees at IIHT Jodhpur

With IGNOU’s extensive library of educational content set to be translated into various regional languages, students from rural and non-English-speaking communities will gain improved access to quality learning resources. This collaboration further strengthens national missions like Digital India and Bharat Bhasha, aiming to boost the presence of Indian languages in the digital domain.

Experts believe that Project Udaan could be a transformative force in higher education by integrating AI into the academic ecosystem, ultimately enhancing accessibility for millions of learners across the country.

Delhi Government proposes 5X boost in stipend for handloom trainees at IIHT Jodhpur

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Kaanchi Chawla

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June 2, 2025

The Delhi government has proposed a five-fold increase in financial aid for students enrolled in handloom training at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Jodhpur.

As per an official statement, the Industries Department has put forward a recommendation to enhance two critical components of student support. The monthly state stipend for trainees in their first, second, and third years is expected to rise from Rs 400 to Rs 2,000. Additionally, the annual allowance meant for educational books and study tours may increase from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 for second- and third-year students.

Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasised the importance of this proposal, calling it a strategic investment in both the youth and the rich heritage of Indian handlooms. “It’s not just about financial revision—this is about reinforcing the foundation for future artisans. Even small support, when channelled right, can help students complete their training with dignity and confidence,” he said.

Also Read: UPSC introduces Aadhaar-Based Registration with new portal

The proposed enhancements, pending approval, are scheduled to be implemented from the academic year 2025-26. Notably, the current stipend and allowances have remained unchanged since 2009-10, despite rising costs of educational materials and exposure programs.

To facilitate the revised support structure, a budget allocation of Rs 10 lakh has been set aside for the 2025-26 financial year under the scheme.

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