Now Reading: IIT Kharagpur launches free AI tutor and GATE, JAM prep platform
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IIT Kharagpur launches free AI tutor and GATE, JAM prep platform
IIT Kharagpur on Monday (12 October) launched an AI-powered learning assistant called NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor and a free online preparatory platform for GATE and JAM exams. The initiatives were launched by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar at the IIT Kharagpur Research Park in Rajarhat, Kolkata, as part of the institute's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The AI tutor, developed with Fermi AI, is integrated with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) and offers personalised academic assistance free of cost. It uses a guided learning approach with a 'Scan & Ask' feature for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. The NDLI, an Education Ministry initiative, serves over one crore learners and hosts more than 130 million learning resources.
The free GATE and JAM preparatory platform aims to reduce dependence on expensive commercial coaching, particularly for students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Majumdar stressed responsible use of AI in education, saying technology should encourage independent thinking, not just provide answers.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The launch targets a core barrier to higher education in India: the high cost of coaching for competitive exams. By providing a free, AI-driven platform tied to the NDLI, IIT Kharagpur directly challenges the commercial coaching market that many rural and low-income students cannot afford. The emphasis on guided learning rather than answer-giving reflects a deliberate pedagogical stance, one the minister explicitly linked to the National Education Policy 2020. The platform's success will depend on its reach and adoption, especially in areas with limited internet access. The institute has not yet announced enrolment targets or a rollout timeline beyond the launch event.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
