The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, February 13, 2026- India’s push towards an inclusive and technology-driven education system gained fresh momentum with the conclusion of the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, organised by the Ministry of Education in New Delhi. The two-day conclave ended with a strong consensus on adopting Artificial Intelligence in a responsible, scalable, and teacher-centric manner to transform learning outcomes across the country.
The conclave brought together policymakers, academic leaders, researchers, state governments, and ed-tech innovators to deliberate on how AI can strengthen school and higher education, especially in areas such as foundational literacy and numeracy, governance efficiency, multilingual learning, and teacher empowerment.
The first session on the second day, moderated by Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, highlighted a major shift in how states are using AI in education governance. Speakers noted that governments are moving beyond monitoring mechanisms towards intervention-based decision-making through AI-powered dashboards. These platforms are enabling real-time insights and integrated student–teacher–school ecosystems, replacing fragmented digital tools. The session underscored that statewide AI platforms, rather than isolated solutions, are essential for sustainable scale.
The second session, led by Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, focused on multilingual AI and practice-led learning. Experts emphasised that AI adoption must reflect India’s linguistic diversity to ensure equitable access. The discussion reinforced that technology should enhance teachers’ autonomy and support contextual pedagogy, rather than impose uniform digital models. States presented successful examples where AI tools are already assisting teachers, improving classroom engagement, and supporting governance.
Across sessions, participants converged on three core conclusions:
India already possesses strong AI solutions for education, but nationwide scaling remains the key challenge.
Empowering teachers through AI is the most effective lever to improve learning outcomes.
The next phase of growth requires a coordinated national-level orchestration platform.
During the debriefing session, senior officials including Secretary (School Education & Literacy) Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Higher Education) Vineet Joshi, and Director IIT Madras V Kamakoti reflected on the outcomes of the conclave.
Sanjay Kumar said the deliberations demonstrated how states and institutions across India are effectively integrating AI into education. He highlighted AI’s potential to combine scale with personalised learning, ensuring that every child’s needs are addressed. He also stressed the importance of shared platforms to exchange best practices, sustained investment in research, and promoting joyful learning in the mother tongue, alongside strategic initiatives such as developing a sovereign large language model.
Prof. Kamakoti underlined that while India has robust AI capabilities, success will depend on coordination, interoperability, and inclusiveness. He cautioned that AI must bridge gaps rather than create new divides, while preserving India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
The conclave witnessed unprecedented participation, with over 3,100 registrations, nearly 2,000 students, more than 600 delegates, and close to 120 exhibitors showcasing AI-enabled educational innovations. Policymakers, researchers, philanthropic organisations, startups, and academic institutions engaged in detailed discussions on the future of AI in Indian education.
The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 concluded as a significant milestone, laying the foundation for a collaborative, ethical, and inclusive AI-driven transformation of India’s education ecosystem.
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