India’s classrooms are evolving, and the shift goes far beyond smart boards and tablet learning. With the rise of AI and robotics, even students as young as those in Grade 3 are beginning to engage with the technologies that will define the future of work. Bringing advanced tools into rural and underserved schools requires more than good intent; it demands innovation tailored to India’s unique challenges.
In an exclusive interview, Anurag Gupta, Co-founder & CEO of STEMROBO Technologies Pvt. Ltd., discusses how inclusive, low-cost, and vernacular-friendly solutions are bridging the urban-rural education gap, making STEM learning hands-on and future-ready.
What are the biggest roadblocks to making STEM education truly inclusive for rural and underserved communities in India, and how can technology bridge that gap?
STEM education in rural India faces key barriers like poor infrastructure, limited internet, untrained teachers, and low awareness of future skills. As per UDISE+ 2021–22, over 60% of schools lack computer labs, and nearly 50% of rural schools lack internet. Power shortages and high student-teacher ratios further hinder tech-based learning.
To bridge this gap, solutions must suit low-resource settings, such as low-bandwidth cloud platforms, mobile STEM labs, and local-language content. Companies like STEMROBO Technologies are helping with affordable robotics kits, cloud tools, and teacher training, enabling rural schools to adopt NEP-aligned, hands-on STEM learning and reduce the urban-rural education divide.
As we enter the age of AI and robotics, what future-ready skills should students begin developing now, and how should our education system evolve to support that shift?
To thrive in an AI-driven future, students must develop critical thinking, problem-solving, programming, data literacy, and ethical awareness of technology. Hands-on learning in automation, digital communication, and teamwork is key. With over a billion jobs set to be impacted by tech by 2030 (World Economic Forum), shifting from rote learning to project-based, interdisciplinary education is urgent.
NEP 2020 supports this transition, encouraging coding, AI, and robotics from middle school onward. Platforms like STEMROBO Technologies are enabling this change with tailored, experiential learning tools. The mission is to equip students not just with knowledge, but with the skills to apply it in real-world tech careers.
How can AI and robotics become a natural, everyday part of classroom learning in India, especially beyond metro cities?
To make AI and robotics a natural part of classrooms across India, especially in rural and non-metro regions, technology must be simple, affordable, and suited to local conditions. This includes regional language support, offline or low-bandwidth functionality, and compatibility with basic infrastructure like entry-level computers or tablets.
Education providers are addressing these needs with low-cost robotics kits, cloud-based AI platforms, and vernacular content designed for students from Grade 3 onward. Equally important are teacher training programs and ready-to-use curriculum modules that help educators confidently integrate these technologies.
This holistic approach enables students to apply AI and robotics in real-world contexts like automation, smart farming, or traffic control. Thus, building critical skills for tomorrow’s workforce.
What role do public-private partnerships, teacher training, and innovation labs play in transforming traditional classrooms into spaces of real-world problem-solving and experiential learning?
Public-private partnerships, teacher training, and innovation labs play a crucial role in turning traditional classrooms into hubs of real-world problem-solving and experiential learning.
Government initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission have led to the creation of over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), providing schools with basic infrastructure to support hands-on STEM education.
However, the real impact is amplified when private players collaborate to strengthen and scale these efforts. Companies like STEMROBO Technologies not only help set up and maintain ATLs but also design innovation labs tailored to school needs.
These labs function as mini-incubation centres where students engage in prototyping, robotics, coding, and design thinking skills essential for solving real-world challenges.
Teacher training is a critical part of this transformation. Many teachers, especially in Tier II and III cities, are unfamiliar with emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and robotics. Through structured training programs, workshops, and continuous mentoring, educators are equipped with both technical know-how and the pedagogical methods to guide students through project-based, inquiry-driven learning.
Well-trained teachers become enablers of innovation, capable of encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in the classroom.
Programs such as IBM’s AI for Girls and similar private initiatives also combine content delivery with mentorship, helping teachers and students alike engage meaningfully with future-ready skills.
Together, these partnerships, training initiatives, and lab-based infrastructures bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its real-world application necessary to thrive in an innovation-driven world.
How is the Indian Education System aligning with NEP 2020 to promote hands-on, future-ready learning?
NEP 2020 aims to make education more practical and future-ready by introducing coding, AI, and vocational subjects from Grade 6 onward. In response, schools across India are updating curricula and adopting structured STEM and AI programs aligned with NCERT outcomes.
Innovation labs, Atal Tinkering Labs, and digital platforms now offer hands-on tools like robotics kits and real-world simulations. Teacher training programs further support this shift, equipping educators to guide students in applying their knowledge. Together, these efforts are bringing NEP 2020’s vision to life and preparing students for future careers.