India’s EdTech sector has seen rapid growth over the last decade driven largely by test-preparation platforms. With over 70% of EdTech revenue coming from exam-focused apps and millions of students relying on them, especially through expanded 4G and 5G access, exam performance has improved significantly.
But this model risks sidelining something essential: CURIOSITY.
Having worked across India and the U.S., I believe we’re reaching an academic tipping point. Around the world, what sets students apart is not just their scores but their ability to think beyond them. A study by the National Association for College Admission Counselling revealed that 30% of U.S. admissions officers value independent research or original academic work. Similar trends are seen in the UK, Singapore, and Europe, where creative and interdisciplinary projects influence university admissions.
Globally, high schoolers are already building environmental prediction models, analysing social media psychology, and using public data for urban planning without expensive labs. What they do have is mentorship, guidance, the freedom to ask meaningful questions, and the opportunity to conduct research across diverse fields to achieve remarkable outcomes.
Indian students possess the same talents we see it in their achievements in Olympiads, coding competitions, and global innovation challenges. What’s missing, however, is a structured platform that nurtures inquiry and original thinking.
If the past decade was about mastering exams, the next must enable students to explore ideas from how AI can improve agriculture to how history shapes today’s narratives. This doesn’t replace test prep. It complements it. And in a world that rewards original thinkers, it may be the most valuable preparation of all.