A quarter of India's government school teachers already using AI in classrooms

A quarter of government school teachers across India are already using artificial intelligence tools regularly in their classrooms, relying primarily on personal mobile phones to access the technology even in schools without computer labs, a new study has found.

The AI Readiness of India's Government School Teachers report, released by JanAI, an initiative of the Head Held High Foundation, surveyed 797 government schools and revealed that 72% of teachers hold a positive view of AI in education. The report was released on Tuesday ahead of the introduction of an AI and Computational Thinking curriculum for Classes IX to XII in the 2026-27 academic year.

Teachers in four states lead adoption

The national survey found that educators in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Maharashtra are adopting AI despite infrastructure gaps. Teachers are primarily using the technology as a teaching aid, with the top applications being simplifying difficult concepts, generating examples and activities, and preparing worksheets and assessments.

Effectiveness versus dependence

While 86% of teachers believe AI makes them more effective in their work, the same proportion also expressed concern that it increases students' dependence on the technology. However, teachers did not view AI as a threat to their profession, with most saying they do not see it replacing them in classrooms.

JanAI said the data, collected from August 6 to 14, represents the first study to examine government-school teachers as a distinct population rather than as part of a blended national average that includes private schools.

Readiness, not resistance

The report concluded that resistance is not the barrier standing between India's teachers and this technological transition, but readiness is. In response, JanAI plans to build a 50,000-strong community of rural AI teacher champions over the next 12, 18 months, intending to identify, train and organise rural government-school teachers as local AI change agents.

"Our government-school teachers are not waiting to be persuaded. They have already picked up the tool. What they are waiting for is a system willing to stand beside them while they learn to use it responsibly," said Madan Padaki, founder of JanAI and co-founder of HHHF. "Readiness is not a deficiency to be corrected from above; it is a strength already present in the field, seeking structure," he added.

Source: The Hindu