Parliament Question: Introduction of AI Education in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1232 ANSWERED ON 27/07/2026 Introduction of AI Education in Punjab

1232. Shri Charanjit Singh Channi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the initiative to introduce Artificial Intelligence- based curriculum in Government schools of Punjab, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any assistance has been sought or provided under centrally sponsored education schemes for implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital learning programmes in the State, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of funds allocated and released for digital infrastructure, smart classrooms and teacher training in Punjab during the last three years; and

(d) the steps taken to ensure equitable access to AI education for students in rural and economically weaker areas? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): The Government of Punjab has informed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are being introduced through digital literacy initiatives, coding activities, ICT enabled learning and teacher capacity-building programmes in all Government schools. Al related awareness and foundational concepts are being integrated through available digital learning platforms and innovation-based activities in accordance with the curriculum and guidelines issued from time to time.

The Department of School Education & Literacy is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI in partnership with States and UTs. Financial assistance is provided to all States and UTs for various components for implementation of the interventions as per norms. Accordingly, the annual plans are prepared by the States and UTs based on their requirements and priority and this is reflected in their respective Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B). These plans are then appraised and approved by Project Approval Board (PAB) in consultation with the States and UTs as per the programmatic and financial norms of the scheme.

The Proposal of the state of Punjab for implementation of AI based learning, AI learning kits and teacher training in Government schools has been approved under PM SHRI and Samagra Shiksha for FY2026-27.

As informed by the Government of Punjab, the funds allocated and released for digital

infrastructure and smart classrooms in Punjab during the last three years is as follows: (Rs. in lakhs) Financial Smart Classrooms ICT Labs Year Allocated Released Allocated Released2023-24 698.4 698.4 2,513.30 2,513.30 2024-25 36 36 343.7 343.7 2025-26 127.2 127.2 16,201.20 14,442.40 Total 861.6 861.6 19,058.20 17,299.40 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. States/UTs collaborate with NCERT to utilise, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives as per their requirements. NCERT also provides regular guidance/ feedback to States/UTs on the quality of these initiatives. The PM eVidya initiative includes 200 DTH TV channels and 400 Radio channels to enable all States/UTs to provide supplementary education in various Indian languages for Classes 1-12. As part of PM eVidya, 5 Channels (PB PM eVidya 143 to 147) have been allocated to the state of Punjab. Content on Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems in Punjabi has been made available by the State.

Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) is a One Nation, One Digital platform for providing quality e-content for school education in States/UTs along with QR coded Energised Textbooks (ETBs) for all grades. The platform supports both online and offline access, enabling learners to download content and continue learning without internet connectivity, ensuring equitable access to AI education for students in rural and economically weaker areas. Currently, DIKSHA holds 59 courses on AI and Digital Learning with 9.4+ lakh enrolments.

The Government of India, in the Budget 2025, has announced provision of broadband connectivity to all Government Secondary schools in rural areas, under the ‘BharatNet’ project by BSNL to enhance digital infrastructure in remote areas in a phased manner including 1,200 Government Rural Secondary schools in Punjab.

To ensure equitable access to AI and digital education, especially for students in rural and economically weaker areas, the State has undertaken measures like strengthening ICT infrastructure and Smart Classrooms in Government schools under Samagra Shiksha, providing access to digital learning resources through DIKSHA and other e-content platforms, organising capacity-building programmes for teachers on digital pedagogy and emerging technologies, promoting coding, innovation, STEM education and AI awareness through school-level activities and innovation programmes.

Further, The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched a national level initiative SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), which aims to embed AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6–12) including students in rural and economically weaker sections and to build AI literacy among educators. SOAR comprises three progressive 15-hour modules for students—AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire—and one independent 45- hour module for teachers titled AI for Educators. The program introduces concepts such as AI basics, generative AI, AI in daily life, programming fundamentals, ethics, cybersecurity and future career opportunities.

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