AI in Indian Higher Education: 60% of HEIs Allow AI Tools

By Hanshu Agrahari • Published:
Students using AI tools in Indian higher education classrooms

AI in Indian Higher Education is no longer a distant idea for classrooms — it’s here. A recent report by Ernst & Young-Parthenon (with FICCI) found that over 60% of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India now permit students to use AI tools. This marks a meaningful shift in how institutes approach teaching, assessment, and student support.

AI in Indian Higher Education: Current Trends

Institutions are deploying AI across multiple fronts:

  • Personalized learning: Over half of HEIs use generative AI to tailor learning materials to student needs.
  • AI tutoring systems: Roughly 40% of institutions employ chatbots or tutoring assistants for near real-time academic help.
  • Adaptive learning platforms: About 39% adjust content and difficulty based on performance analytics.
  • Automated grading: Nearly 38% use automated assessment tools to speed up feedback cycles.

Benefits of AI Tools in Indian Higher Education

AI integration yields faster feedback, personalized pacing, and scalable tutoring. For faculty, grading becomes more efficient, freeing time for mentoring. For students, AI exposure builds future-ready skills sought by employers.

Note: Adoption does not equal replacement. Successful implementations augment human instruction rather than replace it.

Challenges in Implementing AI in HEIs

  • Academic integrity & plagiarism: Policies are needed to distinguish acceptable AI use from misconduct.
  • Bias & fairness: Models can reflect biases; governance around datasets and model selection is critical.
  • Faculty training: Instructors need capacity to evaluate and integrate tools responsibly.

Practical Recommendations for AI Adoption in HEIs

  • Develop transparent AI-use policies defining permitted tools and citation norms.
  • Invest in faculty training and pilot programs before campus-wide rollouts.
  • Prioritize student digital literacy and explain how to critically evaluate AI outputs.
  • Use human review for high-stakes assessments and decisions.

Key Takeaways on AI in Indian Higher Education

  • Over 60% of Indian HEIs permit student use of AI tools.
  • Leading applications include generative content, AI tutors, adaptive platforms, and automated grading.
  • Responsible adoption requires policies, training, and human oversight.