And the Rajasthan High Court has called for a “foolproof system” to prevent examination paper leaks and warned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence in education. The court has taken suo motu cognisance of Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta issues ranging from educational gaps and job prospects to mental health, digital burnout, technology use and examination irregularities.
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, who headed the bench, directed the Rajasthan and Central governments to submit status reports and a roadmap of steps taken to address these challenges, and to consult the court to consider the changes to be made in educational institutions and governments for new models and reforms that are most likely to prepare students for the future.
The court said Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta are expected to play a central role in the development of India by 2047. Against that backdrop, it expressed concern over what it described as “systematic inadequacies” in government schools. The bench said that institutions serving some of the most vulnerable sections of society still face deficiencies in basic facilities, medical care, infrastructure, teacher training and access to emerging technologies.
Rajasthan High Court also stressed the need for modern technology in education. Schools, colleges and universities must move ahead in the world of digital learning and artificial intelligence in their education and its applications to education.
But the bench also insisted that technological advancement should not come at the expense of foundational learning. It also warned that too much reliance on technology and AI could hamper the learning of handwriting and reading books, independent thinking, analytical reasoning and original writing.
The court also said it must supply children with independent thinking and reasoning skills. Technology must be a tool to enhance learning rather than replace human intellect, it said. The observation comes as students are increasingly using generative AI for assignments, writing and academic research.
The bench further encouraged educational institutions to introduce digital learning, AI and other technologies into their educational policies at the same time, and also to balance technological education and traditional learning skills.
Rajasthan HC flags examination paper leak concerns
Lectures that frequently involve examination-related irregularities and their impact on the students were also highlighted by the court. Paper leaks can disrupt academic schedules, undermine the credibility of examinations and affect students who prepare for months for competitive and academic tests.
The bench observed that Generation Z has been particularly affected by such disruptions, which can have consequences for students’ academic performance and future opportunities. To tackle the problem, it advised the governments to develop a “foolproof system” that would help prevent examination papers from being leaked.
In addition to examination reforms, the court also pointed out the gap between education and employment. Technology and workplace requirements are changing dramatically, so educational institutions should be building students with good foundational skills so that they can be ready to play, the bench said.
Court raises concerns over screen time and child health
Excessive screen exposure was also highlighted during the proceedings. Longtime or sedentary screen time can negatively affect children’s mental and physical development, the court noted.
The bench also linked children’s right to health, nutrition and safe food with the overall constitutional protection of the right to life under Article 21. It stressed that providing children with adequate nutrition and safe food is an important responsibility of the state.
The court referred to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s 2020 guidelines for safe food and balanced diets for children. Although guidelines were in place, effective measures were not implemented by the Centre and state governments, it said.
PIL to examine welfare of three generations
As Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta are very much in the eye of the Rajasthan High Court, it was decided that the matter would be filed as a Public Interest Litigation. This is intended to study how government policies and education systems can be more relevant to younger generations.
The court appointed Senior Advocates Ravi Bhansali, Sachin Acharya and Vikas Balia to represent Generation Z. Advocates Pankaj Sharma, Priyanka Borana, Naman Mahnot and Avin Chhangani were appointed to represent Gen Alpha while Advocates Aditi Mod, Akshiti Singhvi, Nidhi Singhvi and Abhilasha Bora were appointed to represent Gen Beta.
The proceedings underline the need for a comprehensive approach to education and child welfare—one that integrates new technology with foundational learning, enhances examination security, addresses mental and physical health problems and improves the quality of government schools.
The Rajasthan High Court’s observations also highlight the larger challenge faced by India’s education system in preparing younger generations for a rapidly changing world. AI and digital technologies are becoming part of everyday learning and, the court has noted, innovation must be accompanied by critical thinking, human judgment and strong basic skills.
