India’s innovation story is often discussed through the lens of unicorn startups, artificial intelligence, deep-tech growth and the engineers building next-generation products.
However, the foundation of an innovation economy is not created at the startup stage alone. It begins much earlier in classrooms, homes and learning environments where children first develop curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills through technology.
Experts working closely with school students believe that many young Indians contributing to the country’s innovation ecosystem today are not waiting until college to start building solutions. Some are already experimenting with coding, app development, automation, and AI while still in school. The larger concern is no longer whether children are capable of innovation, but whether enough students across the country are getting access to the right opportunities at the right age.
India’s digital learning gap continues to remain a major challenge. According to UDISE+ 2024-25 data, around 64.7 percent of schools in the country have computers, while 63.5 percent have internet connectivity. However, access varies significantly across states. Kerala has functional computers in over 99 percent of schools, whereas Bihar reports much lower access levels with internet connectivity in several government schools remaining below 10 percent.
Education experts say this gap directly affects the development of computational thinking among students. Early exposure to coding and digital problem-solving does not only teach technical skills. It helps children learn how to break down complex problems, test ideas, improve solutions and think logically. These abilities often stay with students throughout their academic and professional lives.
Many students already demonstrating innovation today are those who received structured exposure to coding and technology at an early stage. Their success highlights the importance of access rather than natural advantage alone. When students are given the right guidance, tools and opportunities, they are more likely to explore creative problem-solving and innovation.
Several young learners are already building real-world solutions. Aryan Sharma, a student from Noida, used Python and hardware integration to create a functional Home Assistant system. His project required systems thinking across both software and physical devices skills often introduced much later in higher education.
Similarly, Hayan, a student from Faridabad, developed a Web Viewer App after noticing how inefficient it was to switch between multiple online platforms. Instead of approaching the task only as a coder, he focused on solving a practical user problem, reflecting product design thinking at an early age.
Another example is Aarav from Pune, who started exploring coding at the age of four and was building functional websites independently by the age of ten. His journey demonstrates how early curiosity, when supported consistently, can gradually evolve into advanced technical capability.
Prajwal NH from Bengaluru identified the gap between the type of news users consumed and the content they actually wanted to read. At just fourteen years old, he created NewsSir, a personalised news application allowing users to customise their feed according to their interests. He later went on to co-found a cloud computing company while still in school.
Experts believe these students are not isolated exceptions. Instead, they represent what becomes possible when children are introduced to age-appropriate coding education and encouraged to build rather than simply consume technology.
India’s education system is also beginning to move in this direction. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasised computational thinking and digital learning from early school years. More recently, CBSE announced plans to introduce AI and coding from Class 3 onwards starting in the 2026-27 academic session.
However, experts believe implementation will be the biggest challenge. Building meaningful coding education at scale will require trained teachers, stronger digital infrastructure, updated curriculum models, and long-term investment in schools. While EdTech platforms and supplementary learning institutions are helping bridge some gaps, experts say sustainable change will require large-scale systemic support.
According to Satyam Baranwal, Co-founder and COO of Codingal, students from different social and academic backgrounds often demonstrate similar levels of curiosity and creativity when given access to proper learning environments. He believes the biggest differentiator is not talent, but access to quality education, mentorship, digital tools, and opportunities beyond exam-focused learning.
As India continues to strengthen its position in the global innovation ecosystem, experts say the country’s next generation of innovators is already emerging inside classrooms today. Expanding access to coding, AI and problem-solving education at scale could play a crucial role in shaping India’s future innovation economy.
