The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ed-tech nonprofit Rocket Learning to deploy artificial intelligence and technology-enabled training programmes for frontline caregivers and early childhood educators serving India’s youngest learners.
The agreement was inked by IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja and Rocket Learning Co-Founders Azeez Gupta and Namya Mahajan, in the presence of IIT Ropar Dean Dr Sarang Gumfekar.
Under the partnership, the two institutions will jointly develop and deploy technology-driven upskilling systems for Anganwadi workers, parents, and other grassroots caregivers, combining IIT Ropar’s research and institutional capabilities with Rocket Learning’s large-scale field presence across 16 states and Union Territories and over 200 districts.
“IIT Ropar has always believed that the true measure of an institution’s impact is how it serves society’s most pressing needs," said Prof. Ahuja. “Through this partnership, IIT Ropar will bring its research depth and technological expertise to help build a generation of skilled, confident caregivers who can change the life trajectory of millions of children."
Dr. Gumfekar said the collaboration exemplified the institute’s commitment to making advanced technology and credentials accessible to the most underserved through partnerships with civil society, government and communities.
Rocket Learning Co-Founders Azeez and Namya said that IIT Ropar’s institutional credibility and expertise would help scale the responsible use of AI for large-scale social good, citing firsthand evidence of what a skilled caregiver can do for a child’s developmental outcomes.
Early childhood development — covering children from birth to six years — is widely recognised as the most consequential window for social intervention, with 85 per cent of brain development occurring before the age of six. Despite its proven significance, the domain remains critically under-resourced in India.
Rocket Learning currently works across 5,00,000 classrooms and has impacted over 60 lakh children in the birth-to-six age group, including over 4 lakh Anganwadi educators. The organisation has set a target of reaching 5 crore underserved children by 2030.
IIT Ropar, established by the Government of India in 2008 and located in Ropar, is an Institute of national importance with a stated mission of leveraging academic and technological excellence for social and national development.
