Increasing Adoption of PAL in 2025: An EdTech Trend

Before understanding why Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) is emerging as a transformative trend in education, let’s take a step back to see how technology has evolved in Indian schools over the decades.

In the early 90s, during the wave of liberalization led by then Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh Ji, technology began to make its way into classrooms through the Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) project. This initiative brought desktop computers into government schools, marking the beginning of computer literacy programs. While these efforts set the stage for technology integration, they largely remained teacher-centric and limited in their reach.

The 2000s saw the rise of Smart Classrooms,

In these times, where multimedia content and interactive tools aimed to make teaching more engaging. However,  the responsibility for operating, managing, and maintaining the desktop-based systems fell entirely on teachers. Unfortunately, these systems were not aligned with the teachers’ individual aspirations or daily teaching practices, resulting in a lack of natural and joyful adoption. This disconnect limited the effectiveness of smart classrooms in achieving their intended impact.

By 2015, tablets began to emerge as a promising tool for education

Unlike earlier teacher-centric models, tablets introduced the possibility of a student-centric learning approach. They empowered students to explore interactive content while allowing teachers to take on a facilitative role. However, concerns around device safety, screen time, and policy limitations delayed their widespread adoption.

The turning point came post-2018 with updated ICT policies

This gave rise to touch-based devices such as tablets and Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs). These advancements, combined with the growth of regional language digital content and the intuitive nature of touchscreens, started to redefine classroom learning. 

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic—a crisis that accelerated the acceptance of technology in government schools. Tablets preloaded with offline-capable learning content emerged as a lifeline for students stuck at home, demonstrating their potential to bridge access and equity gaps.

Yet, a pressing challenge persists: Learning Outcomes

India’s youth, while abundant in potential, face significant barriers due to learning gaps that lead to school dropouts and limit workforce readiness. The recent policy revoking the no-detention rule adds urgency to addressing these gaps, as students now risk dropping out earlier if foundational learning is not strengthened.

In our view and based on our experience, we believe that the answer to improve learning outcomes lies in Personalised Adaptive Learning or PAL. 

The Government of Andhra Pradesh was the first state to initiate a pilot. The Government of Haryana launched a very ambitious e-Adhigam project under which over 5 Lakh students were given individual devices with PAL application pre installed. EdTech Tulna has already come up with guidelines creating standards for technology, content and delivery.

Until last year, our efforts primarily focused on working with state governments to introduce PAL, including being one of the solution providers for the e-Adhigam project. However, by the end of 2024, we observed a growing interest from leading foundations that collaborated with us to bring PAL to government schools. Furthermore, our discussions with central and state ministries reveal that detailed conversations about expanding PAL are gaining momentum across the education ecosystem.

As we stand on the cusp of 2025, it’s evident that technology in education has come a long way since its inception in the 1980s. What began with basic computer literacy programs has evolved into simplified smart classrooms, tablets, and Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs), driven by the demand for more engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environments.

Among these advancements, the adoption of Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) represents a paradigm shift. Unlike traditional, one-size-fits-all methods, PAL tailors education to meet the unique learning needs of each student. PAL aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes equity, inclusion, and skill development.

The success of projects such as Andhra Pradesh’s pilot programs and Haryana’s e-Adhigam initiative demonstrates that PAL is no longer just a futuristic concept but a viable solution to address critical issues such as learning gaps, dropout rates, and uneven access to quality education. With EdTech Tulna’s guidelines, a clear framework is now in place to ensure that PAL solutions are standardized, scalable, and effective.

The Road Ahead: Let’s Bring Collaborative Ecosystem for Adoption of PAL in 2025 and Further

• State Governments must focus on building the necessary infrastructure and training teachers for seamless integration of PAL solutions.
• EdTech Companies need to continue innovating to ensure content is culturally relevant, engaging, and aligned with learning outcomes.
• Foundations and NGOs can play a pivotal role by bringing funding and expertise to bridge gaps in implementation.
• Most importantly, the success of PAL will depend on sustained efforts to ensure inclusivity—ensuring that even the most marginalized students have access to this transformative technology.

The journey of EdTech in India has been one of persistence, innovation, and adaptation. 

Now, as we step into 2025, the increasing adoption of Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL) in government schools signifies a pivotal moment in this journey. PAL represents a shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to education to a system that understands and caters to individual student needs. If implemented effectively, PAL can unlock the potential of millions of students across India, bridging historical learning gaps, achieving grade-level proficiency, and equipping learners with future-ready skills.

Insights from IAMAI’s EdTech Impact Study underscore the potential of PAL 

According to the study, 85% of students credit EdTech for improved learning outcomes, while 87% recognize its role in developing critical real-world skills such as coding and AI—skills vital for workforce readiness. Furthermore, 86% of users highlight the affordability of EdTech courses, reinforcing its accessibility for learners across socio-economic strata.

Based on this, we understand that the Beta Generation of 2025 will grow up in classrooms that are not just smart but intelligent, adaptive, and student-centric. These classrooms, powered by PAL, have the potential to redefine education in India—making it equitable, inclusive, and aligned with the demands of a rapidly evolving global workforce. 

If you’re interested in exploring or experiencing our PAL software, you may contact us at +91 7678265039 to schedule a demo. We’d be happy to connect and showcase how our PAL LMS works, highlighting its guided mechanism designed to help students bridge learning gaps and achieve grade-level proficiency. You can also share your details here or reach out to us at [email protected]

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