AICTE declares 2025 as ‘Year of AI’ to transform engineering education

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has designated 2025 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” in engineering education, unveiling a host of initiatives to equip students for the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Speaking at the STTAR Global Education Conference 2025, AICTE Chairman Dr. T. G. Sitharam announced that India will host the next AI Impact Summit in February 2026, building on last year’s edition in Paris co-hosted with France. Emphasising inclusivity, he remarked, “AI must be accessible and inclusive so that no student is left behind.”

To widen access, AICTE has partnered with global technology platforms. Perplexity AI will provide 40 lakh free licenses, while ChatGPT will extend five lakh accounts for school learners and 1.5 lakh Pro accounts targeted at rural students. AICTE has additionally secured Pro-level access for government schools, ensuring digital equity.

Fostering innovation, Dr. Sitharam introduced the AICTE Productization Fellowship, designed to help students continue and commercialise projects after graduation. Under this scheme, selected teams will receive ₹40,000 per month for up to two years. He noted that many innovative student projects are abandoned once placements begin, and this fellowship aims to bridge that gap. Already, 5,000 fellowships have been rolled out.

Alongside technological advancement, AICTE is also focusing on values and holistic development. Dr. Sitharam highlighted the Universal Human Touch Program (UHTP), offered on SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus, which integrates empathy, ethics, and social responsibility into technical education. He further encouraged students to practise yoga and meditation, reminding them that while AI offers powerful tools, human values will continue to define future citizens.

To strengthen academic resources, AICTE has developed over 600 textbooks in 22 Indian languages through its e-KUMB portal, established 14,000 Institute Innovation Councils, and created 400 Idea Labs to promote hands-on, project-based learning.

Echoing the Chairman’s vision, Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman of Jaipuria Group, said, “We are living in unprecedented times where the pace of technological change is unlike anything humanity has ever witnessed. The challenge before us is not just what AI can achieve, but what it will mean for us as human beings.”

With these initiatives, AICTE seeks to not only advance India’s AI readiness but also create a generation of engineers who balance technological expertise with ethical responsibility.