India’s first AI-powered anganwadi in Nagpur village uses VR to transform early childhood education

A government-run anganwadi center near Nagpur has embraced artificial intelligence to reshape early childhood education, drawing more children and turning heads across Maharashtra’s education system.

Located in Waddhamna village, about 18 km from Nagpur, the center is being hailed as India’s first AI-powered anganwadi.

Equipped with virtual reality headsets, smartboards, tablets, and interactive content, it has created an engaging environment for children aged two to six.

The center was developed under the Nagpur Zilla Parishad’s Mission Bal Bharari and chosen out of more than 2,200 anganwadis in the district for a digital overhaul.

The shift from traditional teaching methods has already led to a sharp increase in attendance, which has risen from around 10 children to over 25 regular attendees.

“This model blends foundational learning with immersive technology, helping children identify shapes, animals, and objects through gamified activities and virtual tours,” said an official from the Zilla Parishad.

The facility has also been upgraded with Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras, and a structured training program for anganwadi workers to ease the transition into digital teaching.

The AI system adjusts lessons based on each child’s learning pace. Children’s creative work, from drawings to poems, is now stored digitally to monitor their individual growth.

Parents, who earlier hesitated to send their children, are now more supportive as they see their wards eager to participate in daily activities.

Plans are also in place to introduce AI tools for tracking nutrition and growth, using real-time data through the government’s Poshan Tracker platform.

The goal is to ensure both academic and physical development through a single integrated system.

Following the positive response in Waddhamna, the district administration is preparing to replicate the model in 40 additional anganwadis.

Officials say the initiative could help reduce the digital learning gap between rural and urban areas.

"This is not just about digitizing classrooms," a district representative noted. "It’s about building a system where every child, regardless of background, has access to modern tools that enhance learning."

Despite the need for more resources and training, the pilot is being seen as a promising step toward digital inclusion at the grassroots level.