AICTE declares 2025 Year of AI, unveils ₹40,000 fellowship for innovators

AICTE has developed 600+ textbooks in 22 Indian languages through its e-KUMB portal, established 14,000 Institute Innovation Councils, and set up 400 Idea Labs for project-based learning.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has declared 2025 the “Year of AI” in engineering education, announcing new initiatives to prepare students for a rapidly changing future.

Addressing STTAR Global Education Conference 2025, the AICTE Chairman, Dr. T. G. Sitharam said India will also host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, continuing from last year’s Paris edition co-hosted with France. “AI must be accessible and inclusive so that no student is left behind,” he said.

To ensure access, AICTE has signed agreements with global platforms. Perplexity AI will provide 40 lakh free licenses, while ChatGPT has offered five lakh school-level accounts and 1.5 lakh Pro accounts for rural learners. AICTE itself has secured additional Pro accounts for government schools.

On innovation, he announced the AICTE Productization Fellowship, under which selected student teams will get ₹40,000 per month for a year, extendable to two years, to continue projects beyond college. “Many students abandon their projects once they secure placements. This fellowship will help them complete and commercialise their innovations,” he said while, already, 5,000 fellowships have been launched.

The chairman also underlined the importance of balancing technology with values. Dr. Sitharam highlighted the Universal Human Touch Program (UHTP) on SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus, which encourages empathy, ethics, and social responsibility. AICTE Chair also urged students to adopt yoga and meditation as part of their routine. “AI can give us powerful tools, but human values will shape the citizens of tomorrow,” he said.

Supporting these efforts, AICTE has developed 600+ textbooks in 22 Indian languages through its e-KUMB portal, established 14,000 Institute Innovation Councils, and set up 400 Idea Labs for project-based learning.

Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Jaipuria Group speaking during the conference said: “We are living in unprecedented times, where the pace of technological change is unlike anything humanity has ever witnessed. The challenge before us is not only about what AI can do, but what it will mean for us as human beings.”

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