NEW DELHI, Dec 10: Tech giant Google has announced a strategic partnership with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to enhance the accessibility and quality of education across India. This collaboration aims to provide engaging and accessible educational content to students, teachers, and parents, especially in remote corners of the country.
As part of this initiative, NCERT will launch multiple YouTube channels aligned with the curriculum for grades 1 to 12. These channels, which will cater to 29 Indian languages, including Indian Sign Language, will offer curriculum-based content in innovative formats, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
“Learning has always been at the heart of YouTube. In India, where accessible education is crucial for unlocking the nation’s potential, YouTube can help make learning content more accessible through innovative partnerships, tools, and resources,” said Jonathan Katzman, Director of Product Management, YouTube Learning, in a Google blog post.
Google has also partnered with the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) to offer 50 credentialed courses covering a wide array of subjects, such as pure sciences, literature, sports psychology, and rocket propulsion.
The initiative enables individuals outside the IIT system to take courses on NPTEL’s YouTube channels, complete online certification through the NPTEL-SWAYAM portal, and earn certificates from IITs. Katzman noted that additional courses will be rolled out in the coming months.
To enhance comprehension and accessibility, YouTube has also integrated artificial intelligence into its educational offerings. With the “Key Concepts” feature, AI identifies concepts covered in videos and provides definitions sourced from Google’s Knowledge Graph for subjects like biology, physics, and chemistry. Definitions and images are extracted from video transcripts and metadata, enriching the learning experience. Quizzes have also been introduced to help learners apply their knowledge effectively.
The YouTube Player for Education has been designed to improve how videos are presented in popular educational tools. Integrated into platforms like Google Classroom, Quizizz, and Teachmint, the player facilitates interactive lessons, supplemental study, and formative assessments.
Earlier this year, YouTube launched the AI Skills House programme, offering free courses such as Introduction to Generative AI, Introduction to Responsible AI, and Introduction to Large Language Models. These flagship courses will soon be available in seven Indian languages, furthering inclusivity in AI education.
Since rolling out courses in India in 2022, YouTube has empowered creators to offer structured learning experiences. In 2024, the platform expanded its focus, enabling creators to reach wider audiences and increase their educational impact.
