Educational Insights | Stay Informed with Edinbox

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made a historic step to promote learning and adoption of AI in India as it has partnered with OpenAI to give 150,000 free ChatGPT Go licences to students and faculty at AICTE (affiliated public institutions throughout India). This  initiative announced in September of 2025, focuses on improving digital skills and increasing employability and practical application of AI technologies in higher education.

Details of the Partnership

The ChatGPT Go licences are to be acknowledged under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which proposes the rights to use sophisticated AI tools allowing users to learn, conduct research, and innovate within a six-month period. The deployment is planned mainly in technical institutes with special emphasis to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to make it more accessible and available to larger communities than the metropolitan locations.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, said,“Artificial Intelligence is not just transforming technology, it is redefining how we prepare India’s technical workforce. This partnership with OpenAI democratizes access to advanced AI tools, enabling students and faculty to gain hands-on experience and develop industry-relevant skills.”

OpenAI is also assisting with the OpenAI Academy and special training programmes like Train-the-Trainer, assisting teachers to make meaningful use of AI in curriculum teaching and research.

Open AI’s India Learning Accelerator

It is an extension of OpenAI and its India Learning Accelerator programme, which dedicates more than half a million ChatGPT licences to Indian educational institutions in the next six months. OpenedAI, in joint partnership with AICTE, works with the Ministry of Education to provide ChatGPT access to thousands of government school educators in grades 1 through 12, pushing AI literacy down to the grassroots.

In addition, OpenAI has put up 500,000 dollars (equivalent to 4.41 crores Indian rupee) in a research partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to investigate how AI influences learning outcomes and novel methods of teaching, in line with what cognitive neuroscience teaches us.

Expected Impact on Education and Employability

• This collaboration will help in a big way improve the quality of technical education by:
• Giving realistic exposure to generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in solving problems, creating code, researching, and creating.
• Fostering innovation in the teaching and learning processes through integration of AI tools with traditional teaching.
• Building digital literacy and employability in young people of India, equipping them to fit future workforce needs informed by AI technologies.

Raghav Gupta, the Head of Education in India and Asia-Pacific at OpenAI, said, India is one of the lighthouses of AI-powered education globally, and we can hardly wait to work with Indian educators and organisations to really change education with AI.

How to Access the Licenses?

Institutions that are affiliated with AICTE will be used to distribute and use the licence among its students and faculty. Training and awareness campaigns will help to fully utilise the licences and a capture of learning outcomes to improve them further. 

In conclusion, the collaboration is a significant milestone toward AI democratisation and education transformation in India and can bring advanced AI tools to thousands of learners and educators, driving innovation and digital age employability.

India's engineering education landscape is itself in the midst of change with a paradigm shift as Artificial Intelligence (AI) gradually transforms industries around the world. While India produces over one million engineers every year, the only question in mind here is whether these colleges possess the computational machinery they need to prepare students to thrive in an AI economy.

Computer labs at conventional engineering colleges are not able to keep up with the computational loads of AI. Deep machine learning models require huge parallel processing ability which's something conventional CPU-based setups can't offer very effectively. This has led to a two-tiered arrangement where students in top colleges get a chance to work on high-end equipment and the rest are forced to work with older hardware.

The challenge is hardware as well. Although the deep learning networks powering today's state-of-the-art applications, ranging from language models to computer vision systems, require specialized architectures tuned for tensor computation and parallel processing. Without hands-on experience with these systems, engineering students graduate and enter industry with theoretical exposure but minimal real-world experience with industry-standard systems.

In the recent Indian policy action, it is mentioned that including the IndiaAI Mission and increased focus on semiconductor manufacturing, reflects a recognition of the strategic importance of AI. Government initiatives aimed at catalyzing digital infrastructure development through initiatives like Digital India have put momentum behind developing education institutions' technological capabilities.

It is, however, challenging to accomplish. High-performance computing entails enormous capital outlay in the procurement of equipment, maintenance, incorporating specialized training of personnel, and reorienting curricula. Institutions typically have poor resources to take up this without support from outside parties or public-private partnerships.

Indian engineering and computer science colleges are struggling to make the curriculum relevant. Corporate needs increasingly value students with practical experience in distributed computing, GPU programming, and large-scale model building. The majority of the engineering courses stick to concept learning and minute programming assignments.

Cutting-edge universities are beginning to invest in AI-specialized computing hardware. The early adopters are experiencing spectacular jumps in student research productivity, industry placement rates, and faculty research potential. The news is not entirely bad, however, since there are trade-offs: higher cost of doing business, need for special technical support personnel, and ongoing pressure to replace as technology hurtles along at light speed.

India's ambitions in AI extend beyond education to R&D capabilities. International ranking of India in AI research is a pointer to computational facilities that are available to Indian scientists. Indian minds are top-notch, but infrastructure to implement path-breaking research falls short of international norms.

This creates a challenge of talent circulation. India's best AI researchers emigrate to institutions with greater computing capacity, while those who remain collaborate with foreign partners who provide computing capacity. Building domestic capacity might keep brainpower at home and produce domestic innovation.

A few engineering schools are searching for new models to address infrastructure issues. Cloud computing alliances, industry-funded labs, and computing consortia are becoming increasingly feasible models. 

The lack of infrastructure is also particularly visible at tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where engineering colleges possess sub-par infrastructure. This regional imbalance can further magnify the disparity in the quality of engineering studies and snuff out the diversity of India's AI talent pipeline.

It will require a concerted effort of government, industry, and education institutions to address this issue. Potential models which can function include regional computer centers, shared infrastructure programs, or mobile computer centers that can be shared by several institutions.

As India prepares to emerge as a global AI leader, the well-being of its engineering education infrastructure is precariously brought into the limelight. Investment decisions in computer infrastructure today will define the technological prowess of the nation in the future.

The path forward is bound to be multi-faceted: strategic state investment, public-private sector industrial partnerships, novel financial paradigms, and perhaps regional focus where individual institutions specialize in specific areas of AI. The goal must be to ready India's vast reservoir of engineering manpower to compete at the global level but also satisfy indigenous demands.

Success would no longer be judged on the level of high-tech infrastructure used but on how accessible, robust, and applicable it is to Indian technological sovereignty as a whole. The window of opportunity is now shutting for making this investment because the global race to AI is gaining speed and the infrastructure gap is increasingly hard to fill.

Should I Say Yes To The Education Loan for my formal education? How will I repay? Is It The Right Move For The Future? These questions strike in our minds when we think about applying for an education loan. 

The answer is not yes or no, it depends on the ROI return on investment on the course that we are aiming to secure our future. It depends on the choices,your career goals and how responsibly you use that loan. Think of it as a stepping stone,not a burden. It can be the bridge between your present limitations and future opportunities.

Education is often called the biggest investment in life. It is not about just getting a degree,it is about building the foundation for dreams,careers and future stability. But the truth is quality education comes with a high cost.Rising tuition fees,hostel charges,study material travel and living expenses can make students and families feel overwhelmed . In such a situation,education loans appear as a savior. If you are dedicated ,skilled and passionate ,the loan you take today will turn into the career success story of tomorrow.

When Is An Education Loan A Good Decision?

• If you are pursuing professional courses like engineering,medical,journalism, design,law,management from a reputed university with strong placement records and accredation.
• If you have a clear career road map and confidence in your skills.
• If you research interest rates,repayment terms and choose the most student friendly bank in your surrounding.
• Don’t take huge loans for lifestyle expenses. Focus only on tuition fees ,books and living essentials.
• Many Universities offer the scholarships,the financial aid that reduces the loan amount.Check scholarships first. 
• Some governments announce subsidies and loan forgiveness schemes.Stay updated. 

Advantages of Education Loans

• Many students take admission in reputed colleges but drop out due to lack of funds.A loan ensures you don’t have to compromise on your dream college.
• Banks offer low interest rates and flexible repayment plans. Most education loans come with subsidized interest rates. You usually start repayment after completing your course and getting a job. 
• Under Section 80E of The Income Tax in India the interest paid on education loans is tax deductible.
• Repaying the loan helps you learn Budgeting,EMI management and the importance of money. It helps to build financial discipline.
• Instead of your parents spending their entire savings,a loan allows you to take responsibility for your own education.
• A loan makes quality education accessible to students from middle class and lower income families. It provides an equal opportunity to everyone.
• Unlike other loans ,this one is not for buying a new car or a house, it’s an investment in your skills and future career.

FAQs about Education Loans

Q.1Do I have to start repayment immediately?

Ans- No,usually get a moratorium period. Let’s say the course duration is 3 years ,after completion of the course or getting a job,whichever comes first.

Q.2 What If I don't get a job?

Ans- Banks may allow restructuring of repayment.But remember, the loan does not vanish.Planning is crucial.Bank provides moratorium time up to 1 year after completion of the course.During this time you don’t have to pay EMI,which gives you enough time to find the job.

Q.3- Are loans available for study abroad?

Ans- Yes,banks cover tuition fees,living expenses ,travel and even laptops.

Q-4 Can an Education loan affect my credit score?

Ans- Yes,Timely repayment builds a good credit

 Q.5 Is it better to take out a loan or use family savings?

Ans- If parents have savings without disturbing their retirement plans ,that’s good,Otherwise loans distribute responsibility fairly.

Q.6 Can a Collateral Education  Loan can be availed?

Ans- Yes,most banks provide up to 7.5 lakh without any security or gurentee.For a amount more than this you need to mortgage your property or any asset.  

Q.7 How much can be availed as an education Loan?

Ans- This depends on your course of study. Banks can provide from 50 lakhs to 1 Crore or more for study abroad. 

In nutshell, education loans are not villains.They are tools.Just like a hammer can build a house or cause damage depending on how it is used ,loans can either open doors or create stress. Taking an education loan is not just a financial decision,it’s an emotional one.It carries the hopes of parents,the dreams of students and the promise of a brighter future.

You are not just borrowing money,you are borrowing belief in your potential.So,is taking an education loan a good decision? Yes,if you choose wisely, plan carefully and commit to turning your education into a career success story.

Remember, Education is an investment that pays the best interest when you give it your 100%.

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) joined hands with the Simulator Development Division (SDD) of the Indian Army to create a Centre of Excellence (CoE) VIGRAHA — Virtual, Intelligent, Ground-breaking Research in AR/VR & High-tech Applications for the Indian Army.

Beside enhancing defence-academia partnership, the program is designed to spur pioneering research and innovation in new technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and unmanned systems. The CoE will facilitate the Army's operational readiness through domestic development of training and battlefield simulation equipment.

Objectives of the Partnership

The collaboration will be on joint academic programmes, R&D, incubation, and capacity-building programmes. It will also provide internship facilities to IITH students in SDD and exchange mutual access to technical and academic infrastructure. Training and certification courses in upcoming domains of technology are also planned, developing a talent pool of man-power for defence.

Strategic Benefits

The CoE will be propelling India's indigenous capability in defence technology, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat national vision. Leveraging the combined abilities of academia and the armed forces, it will be equipping the country with cutting-edge, indigenously developed simulators for combat readiness.

Key Leaders Driving the Partnership

MoU was signed in the presence of Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IITH, and senior Army officials like Brigadier A.K. Chaturvedi, SDD Secunderabad. Academic inputs will be led by faculty leaders such as Prof. G. Narahari Sastry and Dr. Shiva Ji, and implementation from the Army side will be led by officers such as Col Hari Om Ahlawat and Lt Col Anupam Porwal.

The SDD was founded in 1991 as the Army's nodal organization for simulator development and grew as a Centre of Expertise in AR/VR, advancing to AI, robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicle  technologies. IITH collaboration is a quantum jump in mapping India's future in military innovation.

CBSE is one of the most visible and searched terms but not everyone knows its full meaning and significance. Students, when google the acronym “CBSE” are often seeking to know its full form and why it is so important in the education system of India. This article provides a thorough yet simple explanation of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), its history, structure, curriculum, examinations, and its critical role in shaping Indian education. The purpose of this guide is to provide students, parents, educators, and anyone else interested in the knowledge of CBSE with clear and factual information, as well as insights.

What Does CBSE Stand For?

CBSE stands for the Central Board of Secondary Education. It is an Indian national-level education board that sets academic standards, examines, affiliates and oversees quality education in affiliated schools throughout India and in other countries.

History of CBSE

The Government of India established CBSE in 1929 which was known as the Board of High School and Intermediate Education. In 1952, it was reconstituted to assume its current form that emphasized secondary and senior secondary education. It has grown to be one of the most high profile and popular education boards in India since then. More than 27,000 schools in India and 240 abroad are affiliated with CBSE.

Structure and Governance

CBSE functions under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Government of India and is under the governance of the board of directors composed of educational experts, government officials and representatives of schools. The most important posts are the Chairperson, Secretary, Controller of Examinations, and Director of Academics. This authority body is in charge of planning and implementing academic policies, examination timetables, school affiliations, and teacher training schemes. 

Curriculum and Syllabus

CBSE is a standardized and national curriculum that is aimed at facilitating intellectual, social and cultural growth. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual studies rather than memorization, and gives emphasis to such skills as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

With CBSE, subjects covered are:

• Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
• Mathematics
• Social Sciences (history, Geography, Civics)
• Languages (English, Hindi, and more).
• Electives such as: Computer Science, Fine Arts, Physical Education.

CBSE constantly revises the syllabus to match current trends and international standards in education. It also incorporates co-curricular activities such as sports, arts and life skills to offer a complete development of students.

Examination System

CBSE administers two big board examinations:

• Class 10 AISSE (All India Secondary School Examination)
• Class 12 AISSCE (All India Senior School Certificate Examination)

These intensive tests provide a standard in the country and are well accepted in Indian and international universities. CBSE also conducts high-level competitive examinations such as JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) in engineering and NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test) in medical admissions, facilitating students to move on to a higher learning with ease.

Role and Importance of CBSE in Indian Education

CBSE offers uniformity and standardization in the varied educational system of India and students in both the urban and the rural areas of India have access to the good education system under the same board. It plays a pivotal role in:

• Establishing academic standards.
• Ease movement of children of transferable government workers.
• Training students to take competitive national tests and a world that is becoming more global.
• Encouraging radical changes in education systems such as continuous and comprehensive assessment (CCE) to eliminate stress in exams.

Additionally, schools seeking CBSE affiliation must meet strict infrastructure, faculty qualification, and academic delivery standards. Annual inspections are taken to maintain the quality norms of the board. Affiliation provides admission to nationally accepted curriculum, examination models and centralized certification.  

International Recognition

CBSE has gained global recognition. All the certificates of CBSE are also welcome in universities across the world and its curriculum is used in many Indian schools overseas. This makes CBSE a popular choice for Indian NRI families seeking continuity in their children’s education.

In conclusion, CBSE stands as a powerful and popular education board in India. Its moderate treatment of both academics and co-curricular, national curriculum, and correspondence to competitive examinations have established it as the favorite of millions of students nationally and internationally. As a student, parent, or educator, being aware of the structure and mission of CBSE assists in making informed decisions about education. 

FAQs

1. Is CBSE better than other boards like  ICSE or  state boards?

CBSE lays emphasis on conceptual and standardized studies which are competitive examination oriented. The English curriculum in ICSE is more elaborate, and the State Boards pay attention to regional academics and languages.

2. What is CBSE NCERT?

NCERT issues textbooks which are practically applied in CBSE colleges, providing a standard curriculum with the national academic objectives in mind.

3. Which languages is CBSE teaching?

CBSE has many regional and foreign languages among elective subject choices in addition to Hindi and English, and not all schools can offer all subjects.

4. What is the full form of CBSE?

CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education.  

5. What is the Purpose of CBSE? 

The purpose of CBSE is to inspire learning for students’ social, emotional and physical well being. 

In a major success for the state education system, 28 students from government schools in Tamil Nadu have obtained admission to the elite Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) this year. The students secured admission in the 'IITM For All' programme, which is aimed at granting access to top technical education to meritorious students from rural and economically underprivileged sections of society. The program provides undergraduate programs in areas with high demand such as B.S. in Data Science and Electronics Systems.

The selection is extremely competitive. In this year, more than 11,000 students from government schools were first screened for the programme. Out of this big pool of students, 168 shortlisted students were called for the entrance examination, and among them, the 28 finally selected students were from different districts of the state. Since its inception in 2022, the 'IITM For All' programme has now benefited a total of 381 government school students to offer them a life-changing path to higher education.

A State-Wide Success Celebrated at the Top

The achievement has been greeted with general euphoria, especially by the state government authorities who see it as a success for their education policies. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi made the news official, bringing attention to the role of government schemes in facilitating these successes.

On his social media handle X (previously Twitter), the Minister tweeted, "With the help of the schemes adopted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, students of government schools are reaching new heights in education and making achievements. In this manner, under the 'IIT for All' scheme, we are pleased to announce that 28 of our government school students have joined IIT Chennai. Warm greetings to those students."

Geographic and Academic Distribution of Success

The success stories are not limited to urban areas but are distributed across Tamil Nadu, showing the wide reach of the initiative. Five students from Greater Chennai Corporation schools and one student from another government school in Chennai form the cohort from the capital. Outside the capital, eight students are from Coimbatore district, three each from Kallakurichi, Sivaganga, and Vellore districts, one from Mayiladuthurai, and two each from Salem and Villupuram districts.

A whopping 25 of the total students have been accepted into the B.S. Data Science course, whose significance is increasingly felt. The other three students have enrolled in the B.S. Electronics Systems course. Authorities have informed that the chosen students will be provided with constant assistance so that they may be able to pass through their challenging academic tenure at IIT Madras.