In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Anganwadi educators, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OpenAI, and Azeez Gupta, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, unveiled the ‘Shiksha Saathi’ program at the global AI Summit 2026. This collaboration, which involves an agreement between Rocket Learning, the Government of Maharashtra, and OpenAI, marks the launch of an AI-powered tool across the state to bolster early childhood education. Key figures present at the event included Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister of Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, and Kaustubh Dhavse, Advisor to the Chief Minister.
‘Shiksha Saathi’ is a groundbreaking multilingual AI assistant accessible via WhatsApp, aimed at offering guidance on developmental milestones and early learning practices. The tool is designed to aid Anganwadi educators and parents by providing immediate responses to inquiries regarding early childhood development and education. The initiative serves to strengthen foundational learning outcomes for children under six years old, making Maharashtra the first state to deploy such a comprehensive AI-enabled solution for Anganwadi educators on a large scale.
Rocket Learning, one of India’s largest not-for-profit organizations, focuses on early childhood care and education (ECCE) across the nation. The ‘Shiksha Saathi’ tool is tailored to deliver personalized guidance, aligning with national curriculum standards and drawing from the Aadharshila curriculum. Its responses are adaptable to various regional languages, ensuring that educators and parents receive reliable, contextually relevant support.
Anganwadi educators can pose questions about developmental benchmarks, educational routines, and effective teaching practices through ‘Shiksha Saathi’. The AI assistant addresses common challenges faced by both parents and educators, promoting the establishment of positive learning environments and good habits among young children.
Siddhant Sachdeva, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in education, stating, “’Shiksha Saathi’ has been created from our belief that AI can be a powerful equaliser in education. In partnership with OpenAI, we are building tools that empower parents, teachers, and communities to unlock every child’s potential by making high-quality guidance accessible across diverse communities.” He expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Maharashtra government and OpenAI, underscoring their shared vision of achieving universal school readiness by 2030.
Currently, Rocket Learning collaborates with over 400,000 Anganwadi educators across more than 200 districts, leveraging extensive data and real-time feedback to develop impactful AI solutions. The organization aims to enhance the world’s largest daycare network, integrating effectively with existing initiatives to positively influence 50 million underserved children by 2030.
The launch of ‘Shiksha Saathi’ represents a forward-thinking approach to early childhood education, melding technology with pedagogy to address the needs of one of the most crucial stages in a child’s development. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into educational frameworks may pave the way for more inclusive and equitable access to quality learning resources.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members.
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