In a landmark education reform, the Ministry of Education will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) into India’s national school curriculum from Class 3 onwards, beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. The move aims to make AI a foundational universal skill for all students — fostering technological fluency, ethical understanding, and creative problem-solving from an early age.

Developed under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) is working in collaboration with CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, alongside state governments and Union Territories.

A stakeholder consultation held recently brought together education experts and institutions to design a roadmap for this major shift. The CBSE has also constituted an expert committee led by Professor Karthik Raman of IIT Madras to develop the detailed AI and CT curriculum.

Building ethics into innovation

Officials emphasised that the initiative goes beyond technical learning — it seeks to instil ethical responsibility and inclusivity, promoting the concept of “AI for Public Good.” Students will be encouraged to explore how AI can address social challenges while understanding its moral and societal implications.

DoSE&L Secretary Sanjay Kumar said the framework would remain dynamic and inclusive, evolving with technological change while staying grounded in India’s diverse educational context.

Teachers at the heart of transformation

Teacher training will be central to the rollout, with capacity-building programs under NISHTHA and national-level workshops supported by NCERT-developed handbooks and video-based learning modules. A joint coordination committee between NCERT and CBSE will oversee the curriculum’s integration and quality standards.

The introduction of AI and CT from the foundational stage marks a transformative step in India’s education journey — one designed to prepare a generation that can think critically, act ethically, and innovate fearlessly in a digital world.