Over 70% Indian Teachers Using AI, but Confidence Gap Persists: CENTA Survey on NEP@5

Lesson planning top use case for AI in classrooms; CENTA calls for structured teacher training

As India marks five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a new nationwide survey by the Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA®) reveals that more than 70% of Indian teachers have already integrated AI tools into their classrooms. However, the survey also uncovers a significant gap between perceived confidence and actual understanding of AI, highlighting the need for focused training programs.

The survey, which covered over 5,000 educators across diverse school types and fee segments, identifies lesson planning as the most common AI application among teachers—nearly 60% reported using AI tools for this purpose. Around 26% of teachers said they use AI to generate classroom activity ideas, showing the tech’s creative potential.

“AI is rapidly becoming part of the modern classroom, but there remains a clear gap between adoption and genuine comfort among teachers,” said Ramya Venkataraman, Founder & CEO, CENTA. “Our surveys highlight both the enthusiasm for technology and the urgent need for structured training and clear communication to help educators make the most of AI.”

The findings also show a mismatch between teacher confidence and AI knowledge. While 67% of teachers rated their AI expertise at 6 or higher on a 10-point scale (average score: 7), only 57% could answer a basic AI-related misconception question correctly. Moreover, few have earned CENTA’s own ‘AI in Teaching’ certification, reinforcing the call for professional development.

Beyond usage and confidence, the survey explored perceptions of AI among a wider group of stakeholders—including educators, students, and parents. Concerns remain high, with 84% expressing apprehensions about AI, particularly regarding accuracy (23%), job displacement in education (34%), and its impact on creativity and transparency.

Educators with over three years of experience reported higher AI adoption (nearly 75%), indicating a growing comfort with the technology over time. The responses came from schools ranging from no-fee institutions to those charging upwards of ₹25,000 a month, offering a broad socioeconomic representation.