Kolkata: IIT Kharagpur has introduced an artificial intelligence learning assistant alongside a complimentary online preparation platform for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering and the Joint Admission Test for Masters. These programs are designed to broaden student access to personalized learning resources and competitive examination tools throughout the country.
The formal introduction took place at the IIT Kharagpur Research Park located in Rajarhat, Kolkata, led by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar. The rollout formed part of the institution's ongoing Platinum Jubilee events, as detailed in an official release.
Developed jointly with Fermi AI, the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor integrates with the National Digital Library of India to deliver complimentary academic support to registered users. Rather than supplying direct answers like typical automated tools, the assistant utilizes a guided instructional framework that prompts learners to solve problems independently through targeted questions, hints, and context.
The system incorporates a Scan and Ask function enabling students to receive help regarding physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology concepts. This functionality assists learners in spotting mistakes, deepening their grasp of core principles, and building analytical capabilities. The National Digital Library itself operates under sponsorship from the Union Ministry of Education, supporting over one crore users with more than 130 million educational assets.
The second initiative focuses on delivering a tuition-free digital portal tailored for individuals preparing for GATE and JAM. This service seeks to lower reliance on costly commercial tutoring and broaden entry pathways into advanced academic programs.
By utilizing the institution's teaching pedigree and digital materials, the platform provides organized preparation tracks. It is specifically built to assist scholars originating from rural regions and lower-income households, ensuring geographical and monetary constraints do not hinder exam preparation.
During the launch event, Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the need for ethical and prudent application of artificial intelligence within learning environments, arguing that technology ought to foster self-reliance rather than merely dispense quick solutions. He noted that the projects correspond with the National Education Policy 2020 by extending individualized instruction regardless of a student's location or background.
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty remarked that the institution's duties stretch past its physical grounds, stressing that a lack of educational materials should never restrict academic potential. He reiterated that the automated tutor is meant to cultivate critical thinking and autonomous study habits rather than substitute genuine cognitive effort, with both projects intended to share the institute's educational capabilities with the wider public.