On March 19, 2025, we introduced Appu, an AI-powered learning companion built for India’s youngest learners. Designed for children aged 3–6, Appu delivers personalised, multilingual lessons in pre-literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development, helping close the preschool learning gap for over 40 million children.
Backed by a $1.5 million grant and fellowship support from Google.org, Appu is built to reach every child, everywhere with content in Hindi and soon 20+ Indian languages.
With a goal to reach 50 million families by 2030, Appu represents a leap forward in making early education inclusive, effective, and scalable.
Voices from the Launch
“In the coming years, AI will be available in local languages like Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Maithili to ensure that every person, irrespective of language or literacy—can use AI meaningfully. AI can also enhance services in Anganwadi centres—from optimising the distribution of ‘Take-Home Ration’ to early identification of malnutrition. This technology holds immense potential to improve outcomes for our youngest citizens.”
— Smt Savitri Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Women and Child Development
“At the Google for India event last October, we proudly announced a $1.5 million grant to Rocket Learning through our AI for the Global Goals challenge. We also mobilised a Google.org Fellowship—bringing together Googlers from around the world, including Germany, Singapore, the UAE, Japan, the US, and India, who contributed full-time, pro bono expertise over six months. Together, we built a powerful AI learning companion that will help millions of children across India build early literacy and numeracy skills.”
— Mr. Wilson White, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google
“Appu is the future of learning. It is AI-driven, intuitive, and designed to evolve. We see adaptability as our greatest strength and personalisation as the catalyst for unlocking every child’s potential. With 85% of brain development happening by age six, early childhood education is the next frontier in human capital. Appu is designed to elevate India’s IQ, maximise its demographic dividend, and bridge the AI divide.”
— Mr Vishal Sunil, Rocket Learning Co-Founder and CTO