Adani University overhauls curriculum for 2026-27 with mandatory AI course
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Adani University on Friday, 26 June announced a sweeping redesign of its academic curriculum for the 2026–27 academic year, introducing compulsory artificial intelligence coursework, three structured internships, and new minor specialisations across its Engineering, Science, and Management programmes. The overhaul, developed in consultation with industry experts and benchmarked against leading institutions in India and abroad, is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The AI-First Mandate
A defining feature of the revised framework is a compulsory course titled AI for Engineers, to be offered to all Engineering and Science students. The course covers foundational artificial intelligence concepts, prompt engineering, and ethical AI practices. Beyond this standalone course, AI concepts and applications have been embedded across multiple disciplines to prepare graduates for an increasingly AI-driven workplace.
The Faculty of Management Sciences has also redesigned its flagship MBA in Infrastructure Management programme, weaving in themes such as artificial intelligence, analytics, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, and Indian Knowledge Systems. Sector-specific specialisations and expanded experiential learning through internships and capstone projects are part of the updated offering.
Three-Stage Internship Structure
The university has restructured experiential learning around three mandatory internships spread across the academic journey. Students will undertake a community service internship after the first year, a professional development internship after the second year, and an industry internship after the third year. This staged model is designed to progressively build real-world competence alongside classroom learning.
Practical training has been further reinforced through project-based courses developed in partnership with e-Yantra, IIT Bombay, focusing on hardware development and software programming. Studio Learning modules have also been introduced in selected programmes to encourage hands-on problem-solving from the first year itself.
New Specialisations and Flexible Pathways
Students will gain access to more flexible learning pathways through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), interdisciplinary electives, and the option to pursue minor degrees alongside their major programmes. Emerging fields including Robotics, VLSI Design, and Financial Data Analytics have been introduced as minor specialisations — areas where industry demand has outpaced traditional university offerings.
Indian Knowledge Systems Integration
As part of a broader push to embed Indian heritage into modern education, Adani University has made Indian Knowledge Systems a mandatory credit-based component of its academic framework, supplemented by subject-specific modules. These are designed to expose students to India's scientific traditions, philosophical thought, ethics, and sustainability practices — a requirement consistent with NEP 2020 directives.
What Comes Next
The revised curriculum takes effect from the 2026–27 academic year. With industry bodies increasingly flagging the gap between graduate skills and workplace needs, the success of the overhaul will ultimately be measured by graduate employability outcomes and the depth of industry partnerships that follow.