Can a tech titan ace a test to fix India’s crisis-hit education system?

Nandan Nilekani, the tech titan and co-founder of Infosys, has been appointed head of a national task force to overhaul India's education system amidst recent scandals and controversies. The task force was established following widespread anger over alleged paper leaks in the competitive exam for aspiring doctors, the National Eligibility Entrance Test.

Analysts and experts believe that Nilekani, known for his digital systems at scale, must now push for deeper changes in India's education sector to boost youth employability. The reformer's success will be tested in his ability to address the challenges faced by the education sector, such as gaps in device ownership, language diversity, and economic inequalities.

Nilekani's team, which includes experts like S. Somanath, V. Kamakoti, and Anita Karwal, is tasked with identifying the causes behind students' demands for education reforms rather than merely managing the question paper distribution. The solution must focus on decentralization, taking into account India's diverse population and implementing a multi-tiered system with strong, accountable institutions separate from private coaching centers.

Linguistic barriers and cultural differences also complicate the delivery of standardized education across the country. The 2020 national education policy aimed to overhaul school and college learning systems by building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, experts have noted mixed success in improving employability, with a growing emphasis on AI and its impact on the workforce.

Researchers highlight that increasing numbers of young people are acquiring qualifications, but employers still struggle to find adequately skilled workers. The growing use of AI is expected to reduce demand for some routine graduate roles while increasing the need for advanced technical, critical-thinking, and interpersonal skills.

While reviewing the examination system addresses the immediate issue of fairness in selection, experts argue that addressing underlying pressures such as differences in school quality, household income, digital access, and English-language exposure will be critical to improving education outcomes and harnessing India's demographic dividend.