The initiatives aim to provide personalised academic assistance and free competitive examination resources, particularly for students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has launched an artificial intelligence-powered learning assistant and a free online preparation platform for students appearing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM), expanding access to digital learning resources across India.
The two initiatives were launched by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar on October 12, 2026, at IIT Kharagpur's Research Park in Rajarhat, Kolkata, as part of the institute's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The first initiative, NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor, has been developed in collaboration with Fermi AI and integrated with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI), an initiative supported by the Union Ministry of Education.
The AI-powered tutor is designed to provide personalised academic assistance by helping students understand concepts and solve problems independently rather than generating direct answers.
It uses guided questions, contextual explanations and hints to support students through different stages of problem-solving. The approach is intended to encourage conceptual understanding and independent learning.
The platform also introduces a feature called 'Scan & Ask', which allows students to scan academic questions and receive assistance in subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
Through the feature, learners can identify errors in their responses, understand difficult concepts and receive guidance on approaching similar problems.
Registered users of the National Digital Library of India can access the AI tutor free of charge through the library's digital platform.
According to the institute, NDLI currently serves more than one crore learners and provides access to over 130 million educational resources.
Alongside the AI tutor, IIT Kharagpur has introduced a separate free online preparation platform for GATE and JAM aspirants.
The initiative is intended to provide structured academic resources and examination preparation support, particularly for students who face financial or geographical barriers to accessing private coaching services.
The platform draws on IIT Kharagpur's academic expertise and digital learning infrastructure to extend educational assistance beyond its campus.
Speaking at the launch, Majumdar emphasised the importance of using artificial intelligence to strengthen students' understanding rather than encourage dependence on automated answers.
He also highlighted the initiatives' alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, which supports the integration of technology into education and broader access to learning opportunities.
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty said the institute aims to make academic resources available to students irrespective of their location or financial background.
The initiatives come as educational institutions increasingly explore AI-based tools to support personalised learning, academic assistance and digital education delivery.
By combining AI-guided tutoring with free competitive examination preparation, IIT Kharagpur aims to provide students with additional learning resources while reducing barriers associated with conventional coaching programmes.
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