The Ministry of Education has announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be introduced in school curricula from Class 3 in the 2026–27 academic session. The move aims to prepare students and teachers for the evolving digital economy.
A comprehensive framework for integrating AI across grades is being developed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This initiative will ensure that students and teachers are equipped with essential AI skills from an early age.
Pilot Project for Teacher Training
School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar stated that a pilot project is underway to train teachers in using AI tools for lesson planning. The objective is to enable both learners and educators to adapt to AI-based learning.
Currently:
- AI as a skill subject is offered from Class 6 onwards in over 18,000 CBSE schools through a 15-hour module.
- Optional AI courses are available for Classes 9 to 12.
The expansion to younger grades represents a significant step in fostering digital literacy and future-ready skills from an early stage.
AI and the Future of Jobs
The announcement coincided with the release of a NITI Aayog report on AI and employment. Key findings include:
- Around 2 million traditional jobs could be displaced by AI.
- However, 8 million new roles may emerge with the right ecosystem.
- Collaboration between India AI Talent Mission and India AI Mission is recommended.
- Partnerships among academia, government, and industry are essential to create a supportive AI ecosystem with compute infrastructure and data access.
The report emphasises that coordinated leadership and cooperation are crucial for India to secure its workforce and emerge as a global leader in AI innovation.
