Anyone who has attended a conference on AI and education in India knows the pattern. Someone cites the National Education Policy. Another mentions Finland. Everyone agrees that rote learning is a problem, that critical thinking matters, and that change is overdue. The session ends, minutes are circulated, and by Monday, coaching institutes operate exactly as before.
Structural Challenges Beyond Policy
This stagnation is not due to a lack of effort or thought. The problem is structural. Policy conversations are built around what can be measured and defended within a budget cycle. The consequences of mishandling AI and education are often seen as a decade away, making them someone else's problem. However, the effects are already being felt, and key elements are being overlooked.
Shifting Focus from Degrees to Skills
The real question is not what degree someone holds, but what they can do. As AI reshapes industries, employers are increasingly valuing practical skills over formal qualifications. India's education system must adapt by emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability over rote learning. This shift requires moving beyond policy rhetoric to actionable change in classrooms and workplaces.
Until the conversation moves from what is easily measured to what truly matters, the gap between education and employment will only widen. The time to act is now, not a decade from now.
