Nagpur: The state school education department is set to launch a WhatsApp chatbot to help teachers, students, and parents access information related to various departmental services.

In its first phase, the chatbot will function as an interactive FAQ tool, allowing users to quickly obtain details without navigating through lengthy portals.

According to officials, the chatbot will provide information such as exam schedules for teachers and students, admission procedures, and a checklist of documents required for different applications.

State education commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh said the service is being introduced to reduce the need for physical visits to government offices and institutions under the department.

“The service’s primary aim is aligned with the government’s vision to minimize the number of trips a person has to make to offices and institutions connected with the education department. For now, this WhatsApp chatbot will provide a curated version of the FAQs available on our portals. It’s not always possible to read everything or search for a specific query. This chatbot will provide the required information in a simple and proper manner,” Singh said.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader push to promote e-governance across state departments.

Sources in the education department said that while the chatbot will initially offer only information services, discussions are underway to expand its scope once backend technological capabilities are strengthened.

In the future, students may be able to apply for admissions through WhatsApp, receive mark sheets, or access other crucial documents without visiting offices physically. While there is no timeline set for the proposed futuristic version of the chatbox, many feel that with the advent of AI and tech tools becoming more democratized, it might not be a long before the vision is implemented.