In what sounds like a scene from Jurassic Park, biotech labs around the world are racing to bring extinct animals back to life — not in theory, but in practice. At the center of this movement is the concept of de-extinction, where genetic engineering is used to recreate species that disappeared from the planet centuries or even millennia ago.

Recently, researchers successfully created genetically modified wolf pups with DNA remarkably close to that of the long-extinct dire wolf — a prehistoric predator last seen over 10,000 years ago. This scientific feat is part of a much larger ambition to revive species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo, with hopes of reintroducing them into the wild.

But beyond the thrill of discovery lies a tough question: Can we afford to bring back the past?

The economics of de-extinction are complex. Creating and raising a genetically engineered animal isn’t cheap — the research, cloning, surrogacy, habitat preparation, and post-birth care can cost millions. While venture capital is flowing into biotech firms promising to resurrect the ancient, critics question whether this funding could be better spent protecting endangered species that are still alive — and in desperate need of conservation.

There are ethical dilemmas, too. The animals involved in surrogacy, the potential suffering of engineered species, and the risk of ecological imbalance all present moral gray areas. And what happens when an extinct species is reintroduced into an ecosystem that no longer resembles the one it once knew?

Then comes the business model. If de-extinction becomes a commercial service — part conservation, part spectacle — will it be driven by scientific integrity or by market demand? Will we have de-extinct animals housed in wildlife parks and exhibitions rather than roaming the wild?

Supporters argue that de-extinction could help restore lost biodiversity and even combat climate change, by rebalancing disrupted ecosystems. Critics warn it’s an expensive distraction from saving the living world.

In the end, de-extinction may be less about resurrection and more about reflection — a mirror held up to our choices as stewards of this planet. The science is catching up to imagination. Whether society is ready — financially, ethically, and environmentally — is still an open question.

India’s classrooms are undergoing a quiet revolution — powered not by chalk and board, but by Artificial Intelligence (AI). As education embraces the digital era, AI is emerging as a powerful tool that is personalizing learning, improving accessibility, and redefining how students engage with content.Across schools and colleges in urban and rural India, AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s becoming a daily reality.

One of the most promising innovations is the use of AI-powered teaching assistants. Take the example of Alice, a voice-activated AI bot developed by students at Bhubanananda Odisha School of Engineering. Alice can assist in answering scientific queries for up to six hours a day, pulling answers from large AI models like ChatGPT. Such tools are helping teachers manage large classrooms more effectively while giving students the freedom to explore learning at their own pace.

Meanwhile, edtech platforms like MindCraft and EdSaarthi are building AI-based personalized learning engines that adapt to a student’s level, strengths, and learning gaps — delivering content that is tailored, dynamic, and data-driven.

These innovations are not confined to elite institutions. With government initiatives like ‘AI for All’ and the AI Curriculum by CBSE, efforts are being made to integrate AI learning from as early as Class 8, making sure Indian students are not just AI consumers but future creators.

The impact is visible:Students in remote areas are now accessing AI-powered revision tools and doubt solversTeachers are using automated assessment tools to generate quizzes and analyze performanceSchools are experimenting with AI chatbots for career counseling and concept explanationInstitutions like Universal AI University in Maharashtra are going a step further — embedding AI as a core module across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Of course, challenges remain. Not every school has access to digital infrastructure. Concerns around data privacy, bias in algorithms, and teacher training need to be addressed. But the momentum is clear: AI is no longer a futuristic concept in Indian education — it’s the present.

As India moves toward a more inclusive and technologically enabled education system, AI offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps, improve outcomes, and truly personalize learning for every student, everywhere.

In 2025, India’s edtech industry is experiencing a major shift — one that’s quietly transforming how millions of students across the country learn. Once riding the highs of pandemic-era growth and sky-high valuations, companies like Byju’s, Unacademy, Vedantu, and PhysicsWallah are now facing the challenge of evolving from funding-fueled scale to sustainable success.

The playbook is changing.

Rather than chasing user acquisition at all costs, edtech leaders are turning their focus toward profitability, localized content, and hybrid learning models. That means offline expansion is back in fashion — from flagship centers in Tier 1 cities to mini-learning hubs in semi-urban India. Platforms that once thrived on pure-play digital models are now investing in physical infrastructure, trained faculty, and in-person doubt-clearing support.

Students, too, are driving this change. With learning fatigue from endless screen time and the return of physical classrooms, there’s a renewed demand for personalized, exam-specific coaching — especially in competitive segments like JEE, NEET, UPSC, and CUET. Edtech startups are launching micro-courses, vernacular content, and doubt-solving pods to meet these needs.

Meanwhile, investor sentiment has shifted. With funding becoming more selective, venture capital firms are asking tough questions: Where’s the revenue? How strong is retention? What’s the long-term impact on outcomes?

Unacademy, which once focused solely on livestreams, has opened over 30 offline centers across India. Vedantu’s partnership with Deeksha aims to blend the best of school-integrated coaching with digital analytics. PhysicsWallah, the most capital-efficient unicorn in the space, continues to expand its offline network while maintaining affordable pricing for middle-income students.

Analysts believe this is a maturity moment for India’s edtech ecosystem. The sector is moving from “edtech as a trend” to “education as a long-term service,” backed by operational discipline, deeper regional reach, and a clearer focus on student results.

As India’s education market grows toward a projected $225 billion by 2030, this hybrid, outcome-oriented approach may not only define the next generation of learning but also restore investor confidence in a sector once seen as overheated.