Zoho launches Classes 2.0 with AI tutor, course builder and free licences for government institutions

Zoho has expanded its education technology portfolio with the launch of Classes 2.0, a new artificial intelligence-powered learning management system that aims to simplify everything from lesson planning to institutional administration. The company says the platform has been developed in India and is designed to serve schools, colleges and universities through a single integrated system rather than relying on multiple disconnected tools.

A key part of Zoho's rollout strategy is making the platform available without licensing charges to government educational institutions across the country. The software also supports all 22 scheduled Indian languages, reflecting a broader effort to make digital learning tools accessible to a wider range of educators and students.

The launch comes as educational institutions increasingly adopt AI-assisted teaching tools while also looking for platforms that reduce administrative workloads and help institutions meet regulatory requirements.

More from Tech

AI takes centre stage in teaching and learning

At the heart of Classes 2.0 is an AI-driven course creation system designed to reduce the time teachers spend preparing instructional material. Instead of manually assembling lesson plans, educators can upload a syllabus, topic or lesson outline and receive a structured course in less than half a minute.

The generated content includes suggested video lesson structures, reading resources, assignments complete with assessment rubrics and practice tests. The platform also maps learning material to Course Outcomes (COs) and Programme Outcomes (POs), helping institutions align coursework with academic standards.

Teachers can control how and when students access course material by scheduling content releases or locking modules until specific stages of the curriculum. Zoho has also included access to a library of more than 100,000 curriculum templates. The system supports flipped classroom teaching, allowing students to study core material independently before classroom discussions or practical sessions.

Students, meanwhile, receive access to an AI Tutor that remains available throughout the day, offering academic assistance beyond classroom hours. The platform also incorporates microlearning modules and gamified learning features intended to improve engagement through shorter lessons and interactive activities.

Designed to manage institutions beyond the classroom

Beyond teaching tools, Classes 2.0 is positioned as a broader institutional management platform. Zoho says it covers the complete student journey, beginning with enrolment and continuing through academic progression until course completion.

Artificial intelligence is also used to identify students who may require additional academic support by analysing learning patterns. Institutions can intervene earlier rather than waiting for examination results to highlight performance issues.

Another addition is a Low-Code Micro App Builder, which enables colleges and schools to create custom applications for tasks such as admissions, syllabus administration and internal workflows without requiring dedicated software development teams.

The platform has also been designed to support compliance with accreditation and regulatory frameworks including NAAC, NBA, UGC and NMC standards, while remaining aligned with the objectives of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Medical institutions receive additional functionality tailored to Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), including competency tracking, management of clinical logs and documentation that can be used during audits.

Existing user base and wider rollout plans

Although Classes 2.0 marks a significant upgrade, Zoho says the platform already has an established footprint in the education sector. According to the company, it has facilitated more than one million assignment submissions, delivered over eight million notifications and hosts more than 2TB of educator-created video content.

The platform is currently being used by institutions including SRM Institute, Sishya School, Chettinad Health City and Vidya Mandir, alongside several government education bodies.

Commenting on the launch, Zoho CEO Mani Vembu said the company believes that "access to modern educational technology should never be limited by an institution's resources." He added that offering free licences to government institutions reflects Zoho's commitment to expanding access to advanced educational technology.

Classes 2.0 is available immediately in India, with the company planning to introduce it to international markets over the coming months. Zoho has also made the platform free for individual teachers managing classes of up to 100 students, extending its reach beyond large institutions to independent educators and smaller learning environments.