YouthNet is a remote learning program that is aimed at driving a community mission led by Youth who work towards education, environment, health and livelihood. The program is a one-stop solution for learners ages 14-25, allowing them to register for the program, enroll in courses, take assessments, earn certificates, collect data and much more. The tool’s features are offered in 6 regional languages through an integrated, easy-to-use and customizable interface which makes the platform scalable according to contextual needs. Working across 20,000 communities in India and 16 states, YouthNet aims to upskill youth and prepare them for higher education, work and life.
Nishant Baghel
Managing Director, Pratham International
Nishant Baghel is the Managing Director of Pratham’s Shah PraDigi Innovation Centre and a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Media Lab. He leads Pratham International’s technology development efforts, focusing on scalable and inclusive ed-tech solutions for underserved communities. Under his leadership, initiatives like the AI-powered ‘BaalSakhi’ chatbot and speech-based reading assessments have reached over 500,000 children across India. He has guided the creation of open datasets and tools in regional languages, supporting large-scale learning assessments. Beyond technical innovation, Nishant provides strategic direction in forging partnerships and adapting Pratham’s educational models to global contexts, especially across the Global South. His work has helped position Pratham as a key player in international development, with recognition from the World Economic Forum as India’s only ‘School of Future’. He also contributes to academic research on the intersection of AI, education, and social impact. Through his efforts, Baghel continues to drive technological innovation for equitable learning worldwide.