The EY-Parthenon–FICCI report urges a shift from pilots to full-scale, responsible integration through stronger faculty training, governance, and digital infrastructure.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping Indian higher education as institutions move from experimentation to large-scale adoption, according to the EY-Parthenon–FICCI Knowledge Report 2025, “Future-Ready Campuses: Unlocking the Power of AI in Higher Education.” Based on a survey of 30 higher education institutions (HEIs) across India, the report finds that 56% of HEIs already have AI-related policies in place, while 60% allow students to use AI tools, including generative AI for learning and tutoring.
The study highlights a clear momentum in AI integration: 53% of HEIs use generative AI to develop learning materials, 40% deploy AI-powered tutoring systems and chatbots, 39% rely on adaptive learning platforms, and 38% employ AI for automated grading. These technologies are transforming classrooms, enabling personalized learning, and easing administrative workloads. However, the report warns of uneven progress in faculty readiness and governance frameworks, calling for deliberate policy measures to ensure ethical, inclusive, and effective use of AI.
Beyond pedagogy, AI is driving institutional efficiency in areas such as admissions, student support, and campus operations. Research ecosystems are evolving too—half of surveyed HEIs now engage in AI-related research through dedicated centers, focusing on applied fields like healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The report urges a coordinated, student-centric strategy encompassing faculty training, digital infrastructure investment, and robust data governance. It emphasizes that AI literacy must become foundational across disciplines to prepare graduates for an AI-augmented economy.
As Dr. Avantika Tomar of EY-Parthenon notes, India must now “move beyond experimentation to scale,” embedding AI in both teaching and administration. With strong policy direction and collaboration between academia, government, and industry, India’s universities have the potential to lead globally in AI-enabled education and innovation.