Adobe brings free AI tools to 7.8 million students across government schools in India

Adobe Partners with Seven States to Expand Digital Learning

Adobe announced a strategic education initiative in India, partnering with the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Assam, and Goa to bring free AI tools and digital creativity tools to government schools across these states1

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. Through Memorandums of Understanding signed with state governments, thousands of government schools will receive free access to Adobe Express for Education, expanding Adobe's K-12 reach in India to 7.8 million students and teachers3

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. This initiative marks a shift in how technology companies approach India's government school ecosystem, working directly with state education departments to embed AI-powered digital creativity tools at the foundational level rather than targeting only universities or urban institutions4

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Comprehensive Access to AI Skill-Building Resources

Students and teachers will gain access to Adobe Express for Education, a digital media app designed for creating content and school projects, along with AI skill-building resources through the Adobe Digital Academy programme1

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. The curriculum focuses on developing skills including creative problem-solving, digital storytelling, and AI-assisted content creation—capabilities essential for future-ready AI and digital skills2

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. Teachers will receive training on integrating digital creativity into classroom teaching, while students will use the platform for school projects and creative expression, enhancing their readiness for careers in India's creative and digital industries3

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Alignment with National Education Policy and Economic Goals

The programme extends to multiple government school networks, including PM SHRI flagship schools under India's National Education Policy, CM SHRI state-led model schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, with plans to expand to additional schools and states over time1

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. Adobe positioned the initiative to support the National Education Policy's emphasis on digital tools and emerging technologies in education2

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. The company also linked the programme to the Union Budget 2026 goal of creating two million jobs in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector by 20303

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Building on Adobe's Education Commitment in India

Mala Sharma, Global Vice President and General Manager, Education at Adobe, stated, "Through this partnership, we're bringing classroom-ready AI tools like Adobe Express directly into schools, helping students and educators develop the creative and AI skills they need for the future of work"1

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. This announcement builds on Adobe's other education initiatives in India. At the India AI Impact Summit earlier this year, Adobe announced free access to industry-leading applications including Adobe Firefly, Photoshop, and Acrobat for students through accredited higher education institutions across India2

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. Adobe also partnered with NASSCOM FutureSkills Prime, a digital skilling initiative run in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to provide learners with complimentary access to industry-relevant courses and certificates4

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Strategic Implications for India's Digital Economy

Adobe's commitment to India spans nearly three decades since establishing operations in 1997 as an engineering and R&D center. With more than 8,000 employees, India is now Adobe's largest workforce outside the United States and contributes to over one-fourth of the company's global innovation3

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. The company recently opened its seventh office in India in Noida2

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. By embedding AI and creative tools at the school level, Adobe is shaping career pathways years before students enter higher education or the workforce, potentially accelerating skill development for the digital economy4

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. The initiative positions Adobe to influence how millions of young Indians develop foundational digital and creative capabilities, which could have long-term implications for India's competitiveness in creative industries and technology sectors.