Research highlights how AI-driven testing is expanding access to English proficiency assessment for students in Tier-2, Tier-3 cities and rural India
New Delhi, 18th February, 2026: The Duolingo English Test (DET), a global leader in English proficiency assessment, has been recognised at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as a featured case study in the Summit’s AI Impact Casebooks – Health & Education. The casebooks, developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and the IndiaAI Mission with support from partners including the World Health Organisation and Central Square Foundation, document real-world applications of AI across sectors such as health and education.
Positioned as practical blueprints for institutional adoption, the casebooks showcase measurable and scalable AI models that have moved beyond pilots to real-world implementation across classrooms and skilling ecosystems, particularly in India and the Global South. This year, the compendium received 270 applications from 14 countries, evaluated on criteria such as impact, scalability, innovation and responsible AI deployment. Following this rigorous review, the Duolingo English Test was selected as one of 36 featured case studies. The selection process placed strong emphasis on privacy, governance frameworks and ethical safeguards, reinforcing DET’s recognition as a model of responsible and impactful AI use in education.
Authored by Rashi Dhanani and Tara Kapur from the Duolingo English Test, the featured chapter explores how the Duolingo English Test addresses longstanding access barriers in English proficiency assessment by being a digital-first product. Traditional centre-based, paper-driven testing models often create logistical and financial challenges, particularly for students in Tier-2, Tier-3 and rural regions. Limited test centre availability, travel requirements and scheduling rigidity restrict equitable access.
The DET replaces this model with a secure, fully digital, AI-enabled assessment platform. Candidates can take the test remotely using either a laptop or desktop and internet connection, enabling flexible scheduling and eliminating travel-related constraints. The test uses computer adaptive testing, dynamically adjusting question difficulty based on performance to efficiently estimate proficiency in around one hour. AI is embedded across test design, scoring and quality assurance to ensure standardisation and reliability.
Commenting on the recognition, Tara Kapur, India Market Lead, Duolingo English Test, said: "Being featured in the India AI Impact Summit's education compendium reflects the role digital testing can play in expanding opportunity. When students no longer need to factor travel time and accommodation costs into their testing plans, we're measuring their English ability, not their access to infrastructure. Our data shows that demand exists across India's geography, it's the delivery model that needed to change."
Accepted by over 6,000 institutions worldwide, including all eight Ivy League universities, and taken by candidates across more than 740 Indian cities, the DET demonstrates how AI-driven assessment systems can scale efficiently while reducing costs. Results are delivered within 2 days, and the test is priced at approximately one-third the cost of many traditional English proficiency exams, significantly lowering barriers to participation.
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