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IIT Kharagpur Launches Free AI Tutor and Online Exam-Prep Platform
By Drooid · · How we work
Launch of AI Tutor and Free Preparation Platform
IIT Kharagpur introduced two new digital learning services aimed at students preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM). The AI-powered assistant, named NDLI-FERMI, was unveiled alongside a free online preparation platform at the institute’s Research Park in Rajarhat, Kolkata, during the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Both initiatives are offered at no cost to registered users and are integrated with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI).
Background and Context
The rollout aligns with the Indian government’s push to broaden access to quality education through technology, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By leveraging IIT Kharagpur’s academic expertise and the NDLI’s extensive digital repository, the institute seeks to reduce reliance on expensive private coaching, especially for learners in rural areas and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Data and Statistics
- NDLI serves more than one crore (over 10 million) learners nationwide.
- The library provides access to over 130 million learning resources across multiple disciplines.
- NDLI-FERMI’s “Scan & Ask” feature supports queries in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, enabling students to upload a question image and receive guided assistance.
Official Statements & Responses
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar highlighted that artificial intelligence should foster independent thinking rather than supply ready-made answers. He noted that the initiatives are consistent with NEP 2020 and will help extend personalized academic support regardless of a student’s location or financial situation.
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty emphasized the institute’s responsibility to share its academic resources beyond campus boundaries. He described the AI tutor as a tool to encourage critical thinking and self-directed learning, rather than a replacement for the reasoning process.
Why It Matters
The AI tutor’s guided-learning approach—offering hints, contextual explanations, and error identification—differs from typical AI tools that simply return answers. This design aims to strengthen conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in competitive examinations like GATE and JAM.
By providing free, high-quality preparation resources, the platform could lower barriers for students who cannot afford commercial coaching, potentially widening participation in postgraduate engineering and science programmes. The integration with NDLI also enhances the library’s role as a central hub for digital education in India.
What’s Next
The initiatives are now live for registration, and IIT Kharagpur plans to monitor user engagement and feedback to refine the AI tutor’s functionality. Ongoing alignment with NEP 2020 suggests further expansion of free digital learning tools may be considered in the future.
