As India moves toward a more digital future, should access to higher education still depend on physical test centres?
This week, The Quantum Hub launched Reimagining Testing in India through Digital Innovation, a white paper developed with support from the
@DuolingoENTest and Kaio, examining how AI and technology can modernise India’s testing ecosystem at a critical moment for education and skilling.
Despite India’s digital strides, millions of learners—especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns—continue to face barriers created by costly, centre-based testing. Drawing on desk research and conversations with test takers, universities, embassy officials, study-abroad consultants, and education experts, the paper focuses on English Proficiency Testing to show how digital-first, AI-enabled assessments can unlock access and improve affordability, accessibility, security, and scale. We observe that tech-enabled testing models like the DET are considerably aligned with India’s National Education Policy, 2020 and its wider Viksit Bharat 2047 objectives. Using the Duolingo English Test as an illustrative case, it offers clear, stakeholder-specific recommendations and points to the future potential of secure tech-based testing that advance education, skilling and employment opportunities.
Our recommendations are centered on the idea of partnerships, collaborations and consultations to align testing solutions with the realities of modern 21st century economies. 🧵🧵
#HigherEducation #NEP2020 #DigitalAssessment #Skilling #AccessToEducation #ViksitBharat2047 #EducationEquity #FutureOfTesting
ALT A young man in a black suit and glasses speaks into a microphone at a roundtable discussion, gesturing with one hand, while a woman beside him listens attentively; green branding for The Quantum Hub, Duolingo English Test and Kaio Communications forms the backdrop, highlighting a conversation on digital, AI-enabled assessment in India.
ALT Two women sit at a conference table with laptops, microphones, name placards and water glasses; one in a purple blazer and one in a grey jacket and green top, smiling as she speaks, against a green backdrop referencing Duolingo English Test and partners at a roundtable on reimagining testing in India.
ALT A group photo of the roundtable participants shows ten professionals standing in front of event branding and a large Duolingo owl mascot, each holding copies of the “Reimagining Testing in India through Digital Innovation” white paper, symbolising a shared commitment to expanding access to higher education through secure, AI-enabled digital testing.
ALT Three professionals network informally during the event coffee break; a woman in a light cardigan and floral shawl smiles while conversing with two men in suits and lanyards, standing near a buffet setup, capturing the collaborative spirit behind modernising India’s testing ecosystem.