AI Curriculum to Be Introduced from Class 3 Onwards: Union Education Ministry
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSE&L, speaks at a stakeholder consultation held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
New Delhi, October 30: The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education has announced that a structured curriculum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) will be introduced in all schools from Class 3 onwards, beginning in the 2026–27 academic session.
The move aims to make AI education a basic universal skill aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023. The curriculum, being developed collaboratively by CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, and State education departments, will focus on “AI for Public Good” and the ethical use of technology.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultation held on October 29, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSE&L, said education in AI must be treated as a foundational life skill linked to “The World Around Us.” He stressed that the curriculum should be inclusive, broad-based, and adaptable to changing needs while recognizing every child’s potential.
“Our responsibility is to define a minimum threshold of learning and keep re-evaluating it as technology and society evolve,” he said.
To ensure effective rollout, the Department announced that teacher training modules under NISHTHA, as well as digital learning resources and handbooks, will be developed by December 2025. A coordination committee between NCERT and CBSE will oversee implementation, quality, and integration under NCF SE 2023.
Key takeaways:
- AI and Computational Thinking to be introduced from Grade 3 onwards (from 2026–27).
- Curriculum to be aligned with NEP 2020 and NCF SE 2023.
- Resource materials and handbooks to be ready by December 2025.
- Grade-specific teacher training through NISHTHA and other institutions.
The initiative marks a major step toward embedding ethical, context-driven AI education in India’s school system, preparing students for a technology-driven future, an official release said.
