Adobe is giving students at accredited higher education institutions across India free access to its premier applications, including Firefly, Photoshop, and Acrobat. This move provides the next generation of talent with the tools and training needed to build AI-first careers while supporting the Indian government's goal to create two million jobs in the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) sector by 2030.
Free access for students
Shantanu Narayen, chair and chief executive officer of Adobe, announced the strategic investment on Thursday at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. This initiative supports the government's Create in India vision and accelerates what Narayen called "Viksit Bharat."
"Adobe is enabling the next generation to be ready for AI-first careers by putting its industry-leading applications such as Firefly, Photoshop and Acrobat, into the hands of students for free, via accredited higher education institutions across India," the company said. The toolkit provides access to this software alongside curriculum, training, and credentials to help students stand out upon graduation.
Generative AI tools and flexibility
The toolkit includes Adobe Firefly, an all-in-one creative AI studio. It integrates models from partners like Google, OpenAI, and Runway, giving users the flexibility to produce Generative Art in their own unique style. Students will also benefit from Adobe's approach to AI for Creatives, which provides access to commercially safe, AI-generated content.
With Acrobat Pro, students can improve their productivity and collaboration by easily editing text and images to complete their work. This ensures they can handle professional document workflows before entering the job market.
Why this matters for creatives
For working professionals, this investment signals a growing pipeline of graduates entering the workforce already trained on industry-standard AI tools. As more students gain commercial-grade AI skills, teams should expect a shift in baseline expectations for digital asset creation and workflow efficiency. Understanding how to manage and collaborate with AI-trained juniors will become a core requirement for senior creative roles.
Your membership also unlocks:
