Artikkelit
01.10.2025
INDIA: EDUCATION AT A GLANCE – Preparing for The Beta Generation
A New Era of Learning in the World’s Largest Youth Nation
India’s education system in 2025 is undergoing a profound transformation. With over 248 million students and nearly 1.5 million schools, the scale is unmatched globally. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper shift—one that seeks to prepare the Beta Generation, a cohort of learners born into a world of artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, and global interconnectivity.
This generation is not waiting for change—they are already immersed in digital ecosystems, learning from AI, and navigating hybrid realities. Education provides huge potential for Finland to cooperate with India. The question is: can India’s education system keep pace?
Global Benchmarks and Local Realities
The OECD’s Education at a Glance 2025 report offers a view of global education trends. While some countries have achieved near-universal upper secondary attainment, India still sees over one-third of its 25–34-year-olds without this qualification. In contrast, Finland has one of the highest rates of vocational upper secondary attainment among young adults—38.8%, compared to India’s much lower participation in vocational education.
Tertiary education outcomes are similarly uneven. In India, tertiary attainment among 25–34-year-olds remains below 30%, while the OECD average is 48%. Finland, surprisingly, also falls below the OECD average at 39%, and is one of only six OECD countries where tertiary attainment has declined in recent years.
Adult skills remain still a concern. The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) shows that older workers in India have significantly lower literacy and problem-solving abilities compared to younger people. Only a third of adults aged 60–65 participated in training in 2023, compared to over half of those aged 25–44.
NEP 2020: Reimagining Education for the 21st Century
India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is the cornerstone of its educational transformation. It introduces a new 5+3+3+4 structure, aligning learning stages with cognitive development. Multilingual education is being promoted, with entrance exams now offered in 13 languages. Vocational training begins as early as Grade 6, and digital platforms like DIKSHA (India’s national Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) and PM e-Vidya (A Comprehensive initiative unifying all digital/online/on-air education) are expanding access to quality content.
The policy also emphasizes holistic and multidisciplinary education, early childhood care, and teacher empowerment. A ₹500 crore (about 50 million €) investment has been made to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, signaling India’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into classrooms.
The Rise of AI and the Beta Generation
Institutions like ITARI (Indus Training and Research Institute) in Bangalore are pioneering the use of AI humanoids in classrooms. These co-teachers personalize learning, monitor progress, and act as mentors. The first human-like prototypes are expected (A Comprehensive initiative unifying all digital/online/on-air education) be in use by December 2025.
This vision aligns with the needs of the Beta Generation—students who thrive in personalized, tech-driven environments. However, it also raises critical questions. According to the OECD report, most children in India still lack access to basic infrastructure, let alone AI-powered classrooms. The digital divide remains a formidable barrier.
Skill Development: Building a Future-Ready Workforce
India’s skill development initiatives are ambitious. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) offers free courses in AI, coding, and digital marketing, along with apprenticeships and reskilling pathways. The India Skills Report 2025 shows national employability rising to 54.81%, with management and engineering graduates leading the way.
At the state level, Karnataka has launched a ₹4,432 crore (about 450 million €) Skill Development Policy (2025–2032). It focuses on lifelong learning, reskilling, and international workforce mobility. The policy integrates vocational education into schools and colleges through credit-based programs and leverages AI-driven tools for training and career guidance.
These efforts aim to position India as a global hub for skilled talent, aligning education with employment and industry needs.
Achievements and Challenges
India has made significant efforts in expanding access and infrastructure:
• Higher Education: 58,643 institutions, 1,213 universities, and a 32% rise in female enrollment since 2014.
• Medical and Technical Growth: 780 medical colleges, 23 IITs, and 20 IIMs.
• School Infrastructure: 97% of schools have girls’ toilets, 91.8% have electricity, and 53.9% have internet access.
Yet, challenges persist:
• Funding: Education spending remains at 4.6% of GDP, below the NEP’s 6% target.
• Quality Disparities: Learning outcomes vary widely across states and socio-economic groups.
• Teacher Training: Continuous professional development is still underfunded.
• Digital Divide: Rural areas lag in connectivity and access to devices.
In comparison, Finland spends USD 10,850 per tertiary student, below the Nordic benchmark of USD 13,000, but still significantly more than India. Finland’s education system is publicly funded at 89%, compared to the OECD average of 71.9%
Finland–India Cooperation: Strategic Alignment and Shared Vision
The growing collaboration between Finland and India in education is not just opportunistic—it is deeply aligned with Finland’s broader innovation and internationalization strategies. In recent years, Finland has actively positioned itself as a global education partner, and India has emerged as a key focus country.
Where Finland Can Bring Added Value
Given the strategic alignment, Finland can contribute significantly to India’s educational transformation in the following areas:
• Teacher Education and STEM Capacity Building: Finland’s robust teacher training system can support India’s efforts to upskill educators, especially in science and technology.
• Vocational Education Models: Finnish expertise in competency-based vocational training can help India scale its skilling initiatives under NEP 2020 and state-level policies like Karnataka’s Skill Index.
• Digital Pedagogy and AI Ethics: Finland’s leadership in ethical AI and digital learning can guide India’s integration of AI in classrooms, ensuring inclusivity and safety.
• Early Childhood Education: Finland’s play-based learning model aligns with India’s NEP goals for foundational education and can be adapted to local contexts.
• Joint Research and Innovation: Collaboration in emerging technologies, sustainability, and climate education can strengthen both countries’ global competitiveness.
Conclusion: The Future Is Now
India’s education system is at a crossroads. The Beta Generation is already here—curious, connected, and digitally fluent. The country’s policies and innovations are promising, but their success depends on inclusive implementation, sustained investment, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
As India prepares its youth for a future shaped by AI, climate change, and global competition, the stakes could not be higher. Education is not just a pathway to employment—it is the foundation of a resilient, equitable, and forward-looking society. In this development Finland can bring added value through active cooperation with Indian government, states and educational organization.
Liisa Toivonen, TFK
Cousellor of Science and Higher Education Policy
New Delhi, India
PHOTO: The reality in majority of classrooms is still far away from AI. However, the revolution in learning can start when teacher steps down from the podium and skills development for working life starts when group working starts. Credits: Liisa Toivonen