AI curriculum to be introduced in all schools from Class III

Aiming to promote the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) and driving a technology-led economy, the Ministry of Education has announced that an AI curriculum will be introduced from Class III onwards beginning next year (the 2026-27 academic session).

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) is supporting institutions such as the CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan, along with states and Union Territories, in designing a meaningful and inclusive curriculum under the broad framework of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE), 2023, through a consultative process.

“Artificial intelligence and computational thinking (AI & CT) will reinforce the concepts of learning, thinking and teaching, and will gradually evolve towards the idea of ‘AI for public good’. This initiative marks an early yet significant step towards fostering the ethical use of AI to address complex challenges, with the technology being organically integrated from the foundational stage, starting in Grade 3,” the ministry said.

A stakeholder consultation was held on October 29, bringing together expert bodies, including CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS and external experts. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also constituted an expert committee chaired by Prof Karthik Raman of IIT-Madras to develop the AI & CT curriculum.

Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSE&L, emphasised that education in AI should be treated as a basic universal skill linked to “The World Around Us”— a series of educational books for young children.

“The curriculum must be broad-based, inclusive and aligned with the NCF SE 2023, ensuring that every child’s distinct potential remains our priority. Our role as policymakers is to define the minimum threshold and re-evaluate it based on changing needs,” he added.

He further highlighted that teacher training and learning-teaching materials — developed under initiatives such as the National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA), NCERT’s flagship teacher training modules, and video-based learning resources — will form the backbone of the curriculum’s implementation.

“Collaboration between NCERT and CBSE through a Coordination Committee under the NCF SE will ensure seamless integration, effective structuring and quality assurance. While it is valuable to draw from international experiences, the curriculum must ultimately be tailored to our specific needs,” he said.