26% of government school teachers use AI regularly, 72% view it positively

A new national survey has found that roughly one in four government school teachers in India uses artificial intelligence regularly, with a large majority expressing a favourable outlook on the technology's role in education.

The report, titled 'AI Readiness of India's Government School Teachers', was released on Tuesday by JanAI, an initiative of the Head Held High Foundation. It arrives ahead of the planned introduction of an AI and Computational Thinking curriculum for Classes IX to XII in the 2026-27 academic year.

Based on responses from 797 government schools across the country, the survey indicates that teachers in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra are actively adopting AI tools, even where basic digital infrastructure is lacking.

According to the findings, teachers are often accessing AI through their personal smartphones, including in schools that do not have computer labs. The technology is primarily used as a teaching aid, with common applications including simplifying complex concepts, generating examples and activities, and preparing worksheets and assessments.

The survey also highlights a nuanced view among educators. While 86% of teachers believe AI enhances their effectiveness, they simultaneously acknowledge that it increases students' dependence on the technology. Notably, most teachers do not perceive AI as a threat to their profession.

Data for the study was collected between August 6 and 14. JanAI claims this is the first study to focus exclusively on government-school teachers as a distinct group, rather than blending their responses with those from private institutions.

Madan Padaki, founder of JanAI and co-founder of HHHF, said the findings show that readiness, not resistance, is the key challenge. He noted that teachers have already adopted the tool and are seeking systemic support to use it responsibly. JanAI plans to build a community of 50,000 rural teacher champions over the next 12 to 18 months, training them to act as local AI change agents.