Prime Highlights
- IIT Madras and Sarvam AI will develop a sovereign AI platform to transform teaching, learning, and assessment across schools and higher education.
- The platform will integrate with national systems like DIKSHA, offering AI-assisted assessments, real-time feedback, and multilingual content.
Key Facts
- The initiative, led by Bodhan AI at IIT Madras, will follow NCERT and SCERT frameworks and include safeguards to reduce bias.
- An international advisory council, chaired by Sethuraman Panchanathan, will guide the project under the Centre of Excellence in AI for Education.
Background
IIT Madras has partnered with Sarvam AI to build a sovereign artificial intelligence platform aimed at transforming India’s education system through large-scale digital public infrastructure.
The initiative, led by Bodhan AI at IIT Madras, will support teaching, learning, assessment and administration across schools and higher education. The announcement was made at the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.
Project leaders said the platform will deliver high-quality content, personalised practice and real-time feedback in multiple Indian languages. It will integrate with national systems such as DIKSHA, APAAR, Vidya Samiksha Kendras and state education databases to ensure continuity and wider access.
Prof. Mitesh M Khapra, who is leading the effort, said artificial intelligence can now provide quality teaching and timely feedback at scale for every learner. He added that embedding the system within India’s digital public infrastructure will keep it sovereign, inclusive and aligned with national priorities.
The platform will follow NCERT and SCERT academic frameworks, enable AI-assisted assessments with actionable insights for teachers and include safeguards to reduce bias and ensure safe use. It will also support research to help AI understand handwritten notes, textbooks and classroom videos relevant to Indian learners.
IIT Madras also announced an international advisory council chaired by Sethuraman Panchanathan to bring global expertise in AI and inclusive education.
The project forms part of the Centre of Excellence in AI for Education set up by the Ministry of Education under the National Education Policy 2020. Officials said the goal is to raise the gross enrolment ratio and expand equitable access to quality education.
By building a sovereign AI ecosystem with teachers at its core, the initiative aims to strengthen India’s long-term education transformation and support inclusive growth.
