NEW DELHI: AI has become a routine part of how senior school students study – mainstream, but not yet dominant – with its impact visible not only in homework habits but also in how a section of teenagers navigate academic stress. Nearly 70% of Class XI and XII students use AI tools at least once a week, including 19% who use them daily, while a significant minority have reported turning to AI during periods of stress and pressure, pointing to early mental-health concerns emerging alongside AI’s rapid integration into students’ academic lives, according to a new study.
Its mainstream in senior schools, but not a substitute yet.
Based on a survey of 910 CBSE students across 10 private schools in Delhi, the study by the Centre for Policy Research and Governance (CPRG) – an Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) recognised institution – showed that AI use has moved into routine academic practice. Only 13% reported that they rarely or never use AI, making non-use the exception. At the same time, the report cautioned that students have not replaced teachers or coaching centres with AI, particularly for high-stakes examinations.The report noted that “AI is becoming a common tool within the school education ecosystem”, but stops short of describing it as dominant. While students rely heavily on AI for information search, writing assistance and concept clarification, they remain cautious about treating it as a primary substitute for structured exam preparation.The findings intersect with warnings in the Economic Survey 2025-26, which flagged digital addiction among children and youth as a growing threat to learning outcomes. The Economic Survey said excessive digital exposure is undermining attention, motivation and emotional well-being, adding that “access is no longer the binding constraint; the focus needs to shift to behavioural health considerations”.Seen through the lens of Economic Survey’s concerns, the report flagged early behavioural signals. While most students reported limited non-academic use of AI, around one-third said they turn to AI during periods of stress, and nearly one in five reported regular use.Within this landscape, the CPRG study found that generative AI tools are overtaking conventional EdTech platforms in daily academic use, particularly outside science streams. Commerce and humanities students reported using generative AI tools more frequently than exam-focused EdTech apps, citing flexibility and instant access. “Generative AI tools are incorporated into everyday study practices across disciplines,” the report noted.CPRG founder-director Ramanand said the findings bust several myths around technology use, showing that students still value human interaction and use AI mainly for basic information, which they then verify with people. He said society must build its capabilities through technology rather than become dependent on it.Warning against fear of technology, Ramanand added that it is largely affecting routine, repetitive jobs, and stressed the need to reskill and treat technology as a tool, not a threat.Science students remain the heaviest users – 57% of PCM and 55% of PCB students use AI multiple times a week or more, but adoption is now widespread. AI is most commonly used for searching academic information, with 55% reporting frequent use, followed by writing assistance, used often by 44%. By contrast, 58% said they rarely use AI for personalised study planning.When it comes to examinations, students draw a clear boundary. More than half rated generative AI as helpful for school and board exams, but its usefulness drops sharply for competitive entrance tests. Offline tuition and structured EdTech platforms continue to dominate preparation for JEE, NEET and CUET.Taken together, the findings point to an education system in transition, where AI is mainstream but remains a supplement rather than a substitute as concerns around learning outcomes and student well-being grow sharper.
