Parliament Question: Curriculum for introducing AI and CT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2928 ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 Curriculum for introducing AI and CT 2928 Shri Parimal Nathwani: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has formalized the curriculum for introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) in schools from primary level; (b) if so, the details of the pilot projects initiated and the specific grades where this curriculum is currently being implemented; (c) the details of the teacher training programs conducted to equip educators with the necessary skills to impart AI education; (d) whether Government has addressed the digital divide to ensure that students in rural and underserved areas have access to necessary infrastructure for AI learning; and (e) if so, the details of the budgetary allocation made for this initiative? 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 in 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 two committees - 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 CBSE organizes a one-day generic capacity building programme titled “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms”. The programme aims to sensitize teachers to the application of AI tools in teaching, learning, and assessment, as well as their relevance in educational management and administration. It also addresses ethical considerations and potential challenges associated with implementing AI in education. To date, 1163 programmes have been conducted, benefitting large number of teachers. For wider outreach, CBSE also broadcasts an educational video titled “Understanding AI and its Domains” on PM e-Vidya CBSE 15 TV Channel & facilitates the sessions on understanding and use of AI, scheduled by CIET-NCERT. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has undertaken structured capacity building programmes for teachers, including specialised training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for Post Graduate Teacher (Computer Science) and skill-based training for Trained Graduate Teacher (Work Experience) through reputed knowledge partners such as I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), IIT Delhi. 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 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 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. NVS trained 13435 teachers during 2023-24 and 8417 teachers during 2024-25.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; establishment 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. *****