Ekstep
Ekstep is dedicated to enabling people-centric, population-scale societal transformation by leveraging purpose-driven technology, open digital infrastructure, and networked collaboration. The organization's mission is to empower individuals and communities, catalyze inclusion and innovation, and unlock opportunities for all regardless of geography, gender, economic status, or social affiliation. Ekstep seeds and nurtures platforms, movements, and digital public goods that foster equitable access, lifelong learning, and exponential impact.
Theory of Change
Inputs
People-centric philosophy and purpose-driven culture
Funding and leadership from Ekstep Foundation
Development of open digital infrastructure platforms
Collaboration with governments, NGOs, global alliances, and private sector
Technical and design expertise (AI, networks, learning systems)
Activities
Seeding, nurturing, and scaling digital public goods and platforms
Developing open-source building blocks and protocols for education, health, livelihood, agriculture
Facilitating ecosystem collaboration and co-creation across sectors
Advocacy, thought leadership, and capacity building for societal transformation
Outputs
Open digital ecosystems and platforms (e.g., DIKSHA, Sunbird, AXL, OAN, ONEST)
Widespread adoption of tools impacting billions (credentials, access, learning, jobs)
Robust networks of partners, governments, and communities
Outcomes
Equitable, scalable access to knowledge, opportunity, and services
Sustained systems-level transformation in key social sectors (education, health, employment, agriculture)
Increased inclusion, innovation, and human agency at population scale
Programs
1. People+AI
People+AI is a collective that catalyzes responsible, people-centric innovation in AI for the public good. It connects doers, creators, policymakers, and researchers to co-create AI solutions across sectors such as agriculture, climate, law, education, and health. The focus is on safe, equitable at-scale adoption of AI.
Community of social innovators, researchers, and practitioners
Technical expertise in AI, data, and open source
Partnerships with NGOs, startups, and public sector
Facilitating co-creation sessions and design workshops
Research on adoption and safe implementation of AI
Development of frameworks and blueprints for scale
Open adoption frameworks, blueprints, and research publications
AI-enabled case studies and pilots in verticals (agriculture, law, health, etc.)
Knowledge sharing events and platforms
Increased adoption of safe, trustworthy AI in India and the Global South
Inclusive access to AI solutions for millions
Reduction in systemic barriers to AI at population scale
2. Bachpan Manao
A mission centered on celebrating, protecting, and enhancing childhood for children aged 0-8 in India. Through micro-events, storytelling, behavior change campaigns, and collaboration, Bachpan Manao enables joyful, nurturing early childhood experiences and uplifts caregivers and communities.
Partnerships with 80+ organizations
Child-centric playbooks and media resources
Support from Ekstep Foundation and allied organizations
Facilitating community/childhood events ('BM in a Box')
Developing behavior change stories and media (e.g., I am Chulbuli series)
Running awareness and collaboration campaigns
Hundreds of micro-events/ kits disseminated
Reach of behavior change stories to thousands of homes
Collaborative action among partners and caregivers
Greater awareness and capacity for joyful early childhood development
Behavioral change in families and communities
Scale-up of child-focused innovations
3. ONEST (Open Networks for Employment & Skilling Transformation)
A digital public network approach to formalizing employment and benefits delivery for 500+ million Indian youth. ONEST connects opportunities and seekers, reduces barriers to hiring and benefits, and enables fast, transparent digital credentialing.
Open digital protocols and infrastructure
Ecosystem of employers, training providers, government partners
Digital enablement and credentialing for jobs and benefits
Pilots and network-building for employment and skilling exchange
Development of blue-dot digital identities
Open interconnected employment and skilling networks
Reduced friction and cost for hiring/benefits approval
Increase in discoverable jobs and credentials
Faster, trusted hiring and benefits access for millions
Shift from informal to formal workforce participation
Systemic improvement in employment ecosystem
4. AXL (Assisted Language and Math Learning)
AXL is an AI-led, teacher-supported system to boost foundational reading and math skills for children, especially in low-resource settings. It creates 'safe spaces' for personalized, non-judgmental learning, and empowers teachers with diagnostic tools. Piloted across thousands of schools in India.
AI technology and platform support
Teacher collaboration
Systems for diagnostics and engagement
AI-powered assessment and practice for learners
Teacher support for individual instruction
Community engagement for literacy/numeracy
Personalized learning paths and safe spaces in schools/communities
Improved reading scores among remedial learners
Scalable, plug-and-play DPI for education systems
Elimination of learning gaps in foundational skills
Empowerment of first-generation learners
Widespread adoption of remedial education solutions
5. OpenAgriNet (OAN)
OAN is a global digital public infrastructure and alliance for transforming agriculture. Through interoperable tools, open networks, AI-powered insights, and multi-sector partnerships, it connects farmers, organizations, and governments to drive climate-smart, inclusive, sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Global coalition of 40+ organizations across 5 continents
Open-source tools and protocols
Agri-expert and policy advisor participation
Co-creating digital tools for agriculture (advisory, data sharing, resource access)
Building digital agri-networks and grid infrastructure
Fostering policy adoption and market access
Global agri-network grid online
Digital tools deployed across Asia, Africa, etc.
Blueprints and case studies for digital agriculture
More resilient, efficient, climate-smart agriculture
Millions of farmers connected to digital resources
Models replicated for food security and economic growth
Other Information
Core Values
People-centric transformation
Equity and inclusion
Innovation and openness
Empowerment through access
Collaboration and co-creation
Radical inclusion and mutual growth
Sustainability and resilience
Scale
Sunbird platforms serve over a billion users across education and health in India and several countries.
Bachpan Manao partners with 80+ organizations, reaches communities nationwide.
AXL piloted in thousands of Indian schools and communities.
ONEST targets 500+ million young Indians for workforce transformation.
OpenAgriNet comprises 40+ organizations across 5 continents.
Affected Users
Children (especially 0-8 years) and students in India
Teachers and school systems
Marginalized and underserved communities
Young job seekers and informal workers in India
Government agencies and public service providers
Farmers and agricultural stakeholders globally
NGOs, ecosystem builders, and digital innovators
Geographical Areas
India (nationwide)
Global (with initiatives across Asia, Africa, and more via OAN, Societal Thinking)
Contact Info
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