Kolkata, Oct 12 IIT Kharagpur on Monday launched an AI-powered learning assistant and a free online preparatory platform for GATE and JAM exams to make quality education and competitive test preparation more accessible to students across the country.
The two 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, a statement said.
The NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor, developed in collaboration with Fermi AI, has been integrated with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) to provide personalised academic assistance to registered users free of cost.
Unlike conventional AI tools that primarily provide answers, the tutor follows a guided learning approach, encouraging students to understand concepts and solve problems independently through questions, hints and contextual guidance.
Its ‘Scan & Ask’ feature allows students to seek help with problems in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, helping them identify errors and develop problem-solving skills, the statement said.
The NDLI, an initiative sponsored by the Union Ministry of Education, currently serves over one crore learners and hosts more than 130 million learning resources, according to the release.
The second initiative, a free online preparatory platform for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM), seeks to reduce students’ dependence on expensive commercial coaching and widen access to higher education opportunities.
The platform aims to leverage IIT Kharagpur’s academic expertise and digital learning resources to provide structured preparation for aspirants, particularly those from rural areas and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Addressing the programme, Majumdar emphasised the need for responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, saying technology should encourage independent thinking rather than merely provide instant answers.
He said the initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, would help extend personalised academic support to students irrespective of their geographical location or socio-economic circumstances.
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty said the institute’s responsibility extended beyond its campus and that academic excellence should not be restricted by access to educational resources.
The AI tutor should empower students to think critically and learn independently rather than replace the process of thinking, he said, adding that the two initiatives sought to translate the institute’s academic strengths into wider public benefit.
(PTI News)
