College Board announced to the Indian audience the introduction of two new Advanced Placement (AP) courses, AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity, which will become available to students in India starting in 2026. The addition of these subjects reflects a growing emphasis on practical, future-facing learning in Indian high schools, as financial literacy and digital security continue to shape both academic and career trajectories worldwide.
As student preferences and undergraduate program offerings evolve globally, there is growing demand for practical, future-aligned subject choices. Indian students are increasingly exploring courses that reflect emerging career pathways. In this context, College Board’s introduction of AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity represents a timely and strategic response. The announcement set the tone for discussions at the fifth edition of College Board India Forum 2025, held in Mumbai, which convened institutional leaders and educators from across India, South Asia, and the world. Participants included representatives from MIT (USA), University of Oxford (UK), Princeton University (USA), American University in Dubai (UAE), National University of Singapore (Singapore), University of Michigan (USA), IE University (Spain), NMIMS University (India), Universal AI University (India), and a few more, reflecting the growing global relevance of India’s education dialogue.
India’s rising prominence in global admissions was echoed in the year’s AP and SAT® data. In 2024, the number of Indian schools with authorized AP instructors doubled, while AP teacher-led course sections expanded by 65%. Student enrollment in AP courses grew by 9%, demonstrating a clear shift toward rigorous, college-level learning in Indian high schools. SAT exam participation also continued its upward trend with a rising number of Indian students using it for entry into both international and domestic universities. As of this year, more than 50 Indian institutions accept SAT scores, and 3 Indian universities credentialize AP for credit or placement. India also joins over 60 countries that incorporate AP in college admissions decisions, underscoring its academic value globally.
“The 2025 College Board India Forum reaffirmed our commitment to bridging academic ambition with real-world readiness,” said Rushi Sheth, Vice President – International at College Board. “The introduction of AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity reflects our continued focus on equipping students with tools that go beyond admissions and prepare them for lifelong success. India’s education ecosystem has shown remarkable vision in embracing programs like AP and the SAT to help students pursue opportunities globally. It was an honor to engage with institutional leaders who are shaping the future of access, equity, and innovation in education.”
Forum spotlighted pressing themes at the intersection of admissions innovation, technology, and student well-being—touching on the integration of artificial intelligence in counseling, evolving evaluation frameworks, and the increasing need for universities to build holistic, future-ready cohorts.
The growing relevance of AP aligns with College Board research showing that students who perform well on AP Exams are 5% more likely, on average, to major in that subject at college; with some subject areas showing increases as high as 30%. These trends affirm AP’s ability to influence not just admissions, but long-term academic and career decisions.
“This year’s Forum has been a powerful reminder of how collaboration between Indian and global institutions can open doors for students across backgrounds,” said Meenakshi Kachroo Chatta, Senior Director and Head, India, South and Central Asia at College Board. “The continued growth in AP and SAT adoption across the country is not just a data point, but a signal that educators, students, and families are embracing a global outlook. At College Board, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that no student is held back by barriers of geography, affordability, or awareness. Through our partnerships and programs, we aim to expand access and support every student’s academic journey.”
As conversations at Forum made clear, India’s education ecosystem is evolving rapidly, towards a more flexible, globally aligned model where skills, not just scores, define student readiness. With deeper local partnerships and new course offerings tailored for tomorrow’s challenges, College Board reaffirmed its commitment to helping Indian students thrive on the global stage.
