**Executive Summary**
The document outlines the steps taken by the Indian government to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) education into the school curriculum, as mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It details initiatives by NCERT, CBSE, NESTS, and other organizations to develop AI literacy, provide relevant training, and ensure equitable access to AI education across different types of schools, including those in rural and tribal areas. The document was answered on 08.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Implementation:**
* The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of AI in school curriculum, incorporating subjects like AI, Design Thinking, and Global Citizenship Education.
* **NCERT Initiatives:**
* NCERT has formed two committees to develop AI syllabus and textbooks for Computer Science and Foundations & Methods of AI for Grades 11 and 12.
* NCERT textbooks and vocational education textbooks already include AI, IoT, Animation, and Games content.
* NCERT collaborates with EdTech companies to strengthen digital learning through DIKSHA.
* **CBSE Integration:**
* CBSE follows NCERT textbooks and offers a skill module on AI for Classes VI-VIII and as an optional skill-based subject in Classes IX-XII.
* **SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) Programme:**
* A national initiative aligning with NEP 2020 to embed AI awareness and foundational competencies among students (Classes 6-12).
* The programme aims to provide equitable access to AI education and builds Al literacy among educators.
* SOAR comprises four NSQF-aligned modules.
* Micro-credentials including Al to be Aware, Al to Acquire and Al to Aspire are offered to students of classes 6 to 12.
* Educators receive training in AI concepts, pedagogical strategies, and practical classroom application through the Al for Educators module.
* **Rural and Tribal Education:**
* Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in rural areas have established smart classrooms with internet connectivity and ICT-enabled education.
* Posts for TGT & PGT Computer Science have been sanctioned for Navodaya Vidyalayas.
* The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has introduced AI education in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
* Integration of AI & emerging technologies as vocational subjects to strengthen digital readiness and Skill Labs established under SANKALP.
* **ICT and Digital Initiatives:**
* The Ministry of Education implements ICT and digital initiatives under Samagra Shiksha to enhance education quality.
* Funding is provided for ICT labs in Schools and Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).
* The 'PM eVidya' initiative unifies digital/online/on-air education, providing multi-mode access.
* DIKSHA serves as the national digital platform for quality e-content and QR coded Energised Textbooks (ETBs).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Students (Classes 6-12)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced AI literacy, improved foundational computational thinking, increased exposure to emerging technologies, and improved digital readiness.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the AI curriculum and modules, participate in AI-related projects and activities, and utilize the resources available through DIKSHA and SOAR programmes.
**Stakeholder: Teachers/Educators**
* **Impact:** Increased knowledge of AI concepts, pedagogical strategies, and practical classroom application.
* **Action Required:** Participate in AI for Educators training, integrate AI concepts into teaching methods, and utilize available AI learning tools and digital resources.
**Stakeholder: NCERT, CBSE, NESTS, Other School Boards, Ministry of Education**
* **Impact:** Responsibility for developing AI curriculum, textbooks, and training modules.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and update AI curriculum and resources, implement AI-related initiatives, and monitor the progress of AI education in schools.
**Stakeholder: Rural, Tribal, and Government Schools**
* **Impact:** Improved access to AI education, digital infrastructure, and resources.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the funding and resources provided for ICT labs and digital initiatives, establish smart classrooms, and ensure equitable access to AI education for all students.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A national policy document that emphasizes the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration into the school curriculum.
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT): An organization responsible for developing syllabus and textbooks for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): A national level board of education responsible for directing schools to include AI literacy in their syllabi.
SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness): A national initiative to embed AI awareness and foundational competencies among school students and build AI literacy among educators.
DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing): A Nation's digital platform for providing quality e-content for school education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1324
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Artificial Intelligence in Rural Government Schools
1324. Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated a national framework or curriculum guidelines
for introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) education at the school level under the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020;
(b) if so, the details of modules, learning outcomes and teacher-training components
proposed for Classes 6–12;
(c) whether the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and other school boards
have been directed to include AI literacy, ethical use of AI and foundational
computational thinking in their syllabi, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to collaborate with research institutions to develop
age-appropriate AI learning tools and digital resources for schools in the country, if so,
the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure equitable access to AI education for
students in rural, tribal, and Government schools including availability of devices,
teachers and digital infrastructure in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (e): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasized the importance of
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in school curriculum. Under “Curricular Integration of
Essential Subjects, Skills, and Capacities” the policy mentions at para 4.24 that concerted
curricular and pedagogical initiatives, including the introduction of contemporary subjects
such as Artificial Intelligence, Design Thinking, Holistic Health, Organic Living,
Environmental Education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), etc. at relevant stages will
be undertaken to develop these various important skills in students at all levels.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has constituted twocommittees - one for developing syllabus and textbooks for Computer Science and the other
for Foundations and Methods of Artificial Intelligence for Grades 11 and 12 with the
membership from Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE), and relevant Research institutions and Universities at the national and
international level.
The existing NCERT textbooks of Computer Science class XI (Chapter 3)
(https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php?kecs1=ps-11) and Informatics Practices class XI (Chapter 2)
(https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php?keip1=ps-8) talk about AI, Internet of Things (IoT) and
other emerging technologies. NCERT has also included a project on Animation and Games in
the vocational education textbook for Grade 6. Moreover, NCERT collaborates with EdTech
companies and other such organizations to strengthen the digital learning ecosystem on
DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing). The schools affiliated to CBSE
follows NCERT textbooks and model syllabus. CBSE offers a skill module on Artificial
Intelligence for classes VI–VIII and as an optional skill-based subject in classes IX–XII.
The Government of India has launched the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), a national
initiative in alignment with the objectives of NEP 2020, the National Programme on AI
(NPAI) Skilling Framework and Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of digital empowerment and
inclusive growth. SOAR is aimed at embedding AI awareness and foundational competencies
among school students (Classes 6–12) and building AI literacy among educators. The
programme seeks to bridge the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to AI education
across geographies, thereby supporting the national agenda of inclusive, future-ready skilling.
The SOAR curriculum comprises four progressive National Skills Qualification Framework
(NSQF)-aligned modules. For students of classes 6 to 12, three distinct micro-credentials: (i)
AI to be Aware, (ii) AI to Acquire, and (iii) AI to Aspire, are offered, each of 15 hours
duration, amounting to 45 hours in total. These cover fundamental AI concepts, practical
programming, ethical and responsible AI usage, and career opportunities in technology. For
educators, one 45-hour module titled AI for Educators provides comprehensive training in AI
concepts, pedagogical strategies, and practical classroom application.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), mostly are located in rural areas, have established
smart classrooms, along with reliable internet connectivity with each Navodaya Vidyalaya
having a minimum of 40 desktop computers to support Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) enabled education. The posts of TGT & PGT Computer Science have also
been sanctioned for Navodaya Vidyalayas.
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has introduced Artificial
Intelligence (AI) education at the school level in alignment with the CBSE curriculum for
Classes IX to XII. NESTS is taking multiple steps to ensure AI literacy, ethical use of AI, and
foundational computational thinking among students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools
(EMRS). These steps include integration of AI & emerging technologies as vocational
subjects to strengthen digital readiness among tribal students; establishing of 400 Skill Labs
under Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP)programme in 200 EMRS campuses; introduction of AI as a sixth skill subject; smart
classrooms are set up in partnership with ERNET, Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY).
Further, the Ministry of Education, Government of India implements ICT and Digital
initiatives under Samagra Shiksha, aligned with NEP 2020. These initiatives aim to enhance
the quality of education by integrating technology into learning and teaching processes. Under
Samagra Shiksha, funding is provided for setting up of ICT labs in Schools and Teacher
Education Institutions (TEIs). To facilitate online learning for all, a comprehensive initiative
called ‘PM eVidya’ was initiated as part of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ on 17th May,
2020, which unifies all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode
access to education across the country. It includes 200 DTH TV Channels allotted to
States/Union Territories (UTs)/Autonomous Organizations (ABs)/other Ministries and 400
Radio channels to provide supplementary education as per requirement in various Indian
languages for classes 1-12. DIKSHA is the Nation’s digital platform for providing quality e-
content for school education in States/UTs along with QR coded Energised Textbooks (ETBs)
for all grades (One Nation, One Digital platform). As a participant in DIKSHA,
States/UTs/ABs have generated and contributed over 3.69 lakh+ content in local/regional
languages.
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