Date: October 13, 2026
Place: Kharagpur / Kolkata, West Bengal
Education News: Higher Education, Artificial Intelligence and Competitive Exams
IIT Kharagpur has launched a free AI-powered learning assistant and a separate online preparation platform for GATE and JAM aspirants, aiming to make academic support and competitive exam preparation more accessible to students across India. The initiatives could benefit learners who need additional help with difficult concepts but cannot afford expensive private coaching.
The two initiatives were launched by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar at IIT Kharagpur’s Research Park in Rajarhat, Kolkata, on October 12, as part of the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The AI tutor, called NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor, has been developed in collaboration with Fermi AI and integrated with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI). It offers free personalised academic assistance to registered users and is designed to guide students through problems rather than simply provide final answers.
Key Highlights: IIT Kharagpur’s Free AI Learning Initiatives
- Free AI tutor: NDLI-FERMI provides personalised academic assistance to registered users.
- Scan & Ask feature: Students can seek help with questions in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
- Free GATE-JAM preparation: A separate online platform aims to support students preparing for these competitive examinations.
- Focus on accessibility: The initiatives are intended to help learners from rural areas and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Independent learning: The AI tutor uses questions, hints and explanations to encourage conceptual understanding and critical thinking.
What Is the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor Launched by IIT Kharagpur?
The NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor is an artificial intelligence-based learning assistant developed through a collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and Fermi AI. It is integrated with the National Digital Library of India, an educational initiative supported by the Union Ministry of Education.
Unlike AI tools that mainly generate direct answers, the tutor follows a guided-learning approach. It aims to help students understand the reasoning behind a solution by offering hints, asking questions and providing contextual explanations.
This approach may be useful for students who struggle with complex concepts or want to identify mistakes in their problem-solving methods. Instead of relying only on memorised solutions, learners are encouraged to work through problems and develop a stronger understanding of the subject.
The AI tutor is available free of charge to registered NDLI users.
How Does the AI Tutor’s ‘Scan & Ask’ Feature Work?
One of the key features of the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor is Scan & Ask, which allows students to seek assistance with academic questions in four subjects.
The feature is designed to help learners examine problems, understand where they may have gone wrong and work towards a solution with guided support.
| Feature | What students can expect |
|---|---|
| Scan & Ask | Seek help with academic questions |
| Subject support | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology |
| Guided learning | Questions, hints and contextual explanations |
| Personalised assistance | Academic support based on the learner’s query |
| Cost | Free for registered NDLI users |
The tool is intended to support learning rather than replace independent thinking. Students should still check important concepts against textbooks, course materials and guidance from teachers, particularly when preparing for high-stakes examinations.
IIT Kharagpur Launches Free Online GATE and JAM Preparation Platform
Alongside the AI tutor, IIT Kharagpur has introduced a free online preparatory platform for students appearing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM).
Both examinations are important routes for students seeking postgraduate study and other academic opportunities in engineering, science and related disciplines.
The platform aims to draw on IIT Kharagpur’s academic expertise and digital learning resources to make structured preparation more accessible. It is particularly intended to support students who may have limited access to coaching centres or specialised academic guidance.
The initiative also seeks to reduce dependence on expensive commercial coaching programmes. However, students should check the platform’s available subjects, study materials and features before relying on it as their sole preparation resource.
GATE vs JAM: Which Students Can Benefit From the New Platform?
GATE and JAM serve different academic purposes, so students should select preparation resources according to their intended course and eligibility.
| Exam | Full form | Main academic purpose |
|---|---|---|
| GATE | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering | Admission to postgraduate engineering and related programmes, along with certain other academic and professional opportunities |
| JAM | Joint Admission Test for Masters | Admission to postgraduate science programmes at participating institutions |
The new platform aims to support aspirants preparing for both examinations. Students should consult the respective examination information and participating institutions for the latest eligibility criteria, syllabus, admission rules and deadlines.
Why Is IIT Kharagpur Making AI-Based Learning More Accessible?
Access to quality preparation resources remains a challenge for students who live far from established coaching centres or cannot afford additional classes. Online learning tools can help address some of these barriers by allowing learners to study from different locations.
The AI tutor and GATE-JAM platform reflect an effort to extend academic support beyond the institute’s campus. The National Digital Library of India already provides access to a large collection of learning materials. An AI assistant adds another form of support by helping registered users work through questions and concepts.
According to information released at the launch, NDLI serves more than one crore learners and hosts over 130 million learning resources.
The initiatives are also aligned with the broader goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly the use of technology to widen educational access. Their long-term value will depend on the quality of the learning support, the accuracy of explanations and how effectively students can use the resources.
What Does the Launch Mean for Students Preparing for Competitive Exams?
For GATE and JAM aspirants, free digital resources may provide an additional way to revise concepts, practise problem-solving and identify areas that need more attention. Students who do not have access to regular coaching may find online academic support particularly useful.
The AI tutor may also help learners approach difficult questions more systematically. Its guided format encourages students to understand the process behind a solution instead of immediately copying an answer.
However, an AI tutor is not a substitute for a complete preparation plan. Students should continue to study the prescribed syllabus, practise previous-year questions where appropriate, take mock tests and verify important information through reliable academic resources.
The new initiatives are best viewed as additional learning support, with the potential to make selected academic resources more accessible.
Summary: IIT Kharagpur’s AI Tutor and GATE-JAM Platform
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | IIT Kharagpur |
| Launch date | October 12, 2026 |
| AI tutor | NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor |
| Development partner | Fermi AI |
| Digital library | National Digital Library of India |
| AI tutor access | Free for registered NDLI users |
| Scan & Ask subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology |
| Second initiative | Free online GATE-JAM preparation platform |
| Intended beneficiaries | Students across India, particularly those facing barriers to coaching and academic support |
| Policy context | National Education Policy 2020 |
FAQs on IIT Kharagpur’s Free AI Tutor and GATE-JAM Platform
1. What has IIT Kharagpur launched?
IIT Kharagpur has launched the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor and a separate free online preparation platform for GATE and JAM aspirants.
2. Is the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor free?
Yes. The AI tutor provides free academic assistance to registered users of the National Digital Library of India.
3. What is the Scan & Ask feature?
Scan & Ask allows students to seek assistance with academic questions in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. The tool is designed to provide guided support and help learners understand problems.
4. Which exams does the new preparation platform support?
The separate online preparation platform is intended for students preparing for GATE and JAM.
5. Can students use the AI tutor instead of coaching classes?
The AI tutor can provide additional academic support, but it should not automatically be treated as a complete replacement for coaching, textbooks, syllabus-based study or mock tests. Its usefulness will depend on each student’s needs and preparation strategy.
6. Who may benefit most from these initiatives?
Students seeking additional academic guidance, including those in rural areas and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are among the intended beneficiaries.
7. How is the AI tutor different from a conventional AI chatbot?
The NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor is designed to encourage guided learning through questions, hints and contextual explanations instead of focusing only on direct answers.
8. Where can students find official information about the AI tutor and preparation platform?
Students can begin with the National Digital Library of India for information about its learning services and registered-user access. They should also consult IIT Kharagpur’s official channels for updates about the new preparation platform, its available resources and access arrangements.
Conclusion
IIT Kharagpur’s launch of a free AI tutor and an online GATE-JAM preparation platform marks another step towards expanding digital academic support for students. The initiatives combine guided AI-assisted learning with access to competitive examination preparation resources, with a particular focus on learners who face financial or geographical barriers.
For students, the key is to use these tools to strengthen conceptual understanding and supplement a structured study plan. Their real impact will depend on the quality, accessibility and practical usefulness of the resources made available.
Global Education News will continue to track developments in AI-powered education, competitive examinations and digital learning opportunities that matter to students across India.
