The urgency to adapt to artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI has given a boost to the upskilling segment within edtech. Bengaluru-based edtech startup Newton School has observed a notable 40% uptick in enrolments for AI, Gen AI, data science and other courses in the last few months. A significant portion of this increase comes from referrals by family and friends of existing students, Nishant Chandra, co-founder, Newton School, tells S Shanthi in an interaction. The firm is backed by investors such as Nexus Ventures and RTP Global. Excerpts:
By what percentage has the number of enrollments for your AI, data science, Gen AI and ML courses increased since they were launched?
We launched the professional certification in data science and AI in 2023. Since then, we have witnessed an impressive growth in learner enrolments—close to a 200-300% increase. This rapid growth reflects the market demand for practical, career-focused AI education, amplified further by the integration of modules like Gen AI and advanced ML into our curriculum.
What are the primary age groups you cater to?
We are age-agnostic. But broadly, we cater to three primary age groups across our offerings. We have the Newton School of Technology (NST) that offers a full-time 4-year B.Tech programme in computer science and AI for 12th pass students. Then we have professional certification in data science and AI for fresh graduates. We have a programme called Xcelerate, designed for busy professionals in analytics or tech roles. It is a 2–3 week career acceleration sprint which focuses on hands-on upskilling, salary growth, and immediate job transitions with real-world projects, mock interviews, and early referrals.
Which age group has the largest number of takers for these courses?
Our courses attract early working professionals, from both tech and non-tech backgrounds, who are primarily looking to upskill, secure better placements, and achieve rapid career growth. This cohort is highly motivated and actively engages with our intensive, outcome-driven learning paths and placement support.
How much of your overall sales comes from AI upskilling courses?
At Newton School, all our courses revolve around AI and tech upskilling. Whether it’s foundational analytics, machine learning, advanced AI techniques, or full-stack development, each module we offer is carefully designed as a building block towards mastering AI and data science. From flagship programs like the professional certification in data science and AI and Xcelerate to newer initiatives like Access and Advantage, our entire business model is deeply rooted in delivering AI-driven skills, practical training, and strong placement outcomes.
What is the uptick you have seen in enrollments since the recent Gen AI boom?
In just the past few months, we’ve observed a notable 40% uptick in enrolments. A significant portion of this increase comes from referrals by family and friends of existing students. We focus on creating a powerful trust-based growth loop. Additionally, we emphasise a lot on personalised mentorship, real-world projects, and guaranteed placement assistance. This, we believe, resonates strongly with new learners.
How has the response from Tier 2, 3 cities been for these new-age courses?
We have seen tremendous response and adoption from Tier 2 and 3 cities, with 66% of our current learners coming from these regions. We are also observing several strong shifts in learner behaviour that reflect how the upskilling landscape is evolving. For instance, there is a clear increase in enrolments from individuals with no formal tech background, such as teachers, accountants, HR professionals, who are now pivoting into data science and AI roles.
What are the other new trends you are observing in the upskilling segment?
Time-constrained professionals increasingly prefer intensive, shorter-format programs that help them quickly upskill, switch roles, or negotiate better compensation—without the need for year-long commitments. One of the most notable recent trends is that professionals, especially those in operations, marketing, and strategy, are actively looking to integrate AI tools into their daily workflows. They are seeking hands-on training not just to understand AI, but to use it as a productivity and decision-making accelerator in their existing roles. Together, these trends point to a more strategic, outcome-focused learner—someone who values real-world application, measurable outcomes, and AI fluency as a core skill for future career growth.