New Delhi: In a significant step toward integrating technology into early education, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education has announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) will be part of the school curriculum from Class 3 onwards. The initiative aims to nurture essential 21st-century skills among students and encourage responsible, ethical use of technology from a young age.
The new curriculum, aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, will be rolled out from the academic session 2026–27. It emphasizes the idea of “AI for Public Good,” blending technology learning with the theme The World Around Us (TWAU) to make education more contextual and meaningful.
A stakeholder consultation held on October 29, 2025, saw participation from key education bodies including CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, and external experts. CBSE has formed a committee chaired by Prof. Karthik Raman of IIT Madras to develop the framework for the curriculum.
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSE&L, underscored that AI education should be treated as a universal skill rather than a specialized field. “AI education must connect with everyday experiences. The curriculum should be inclusive, flexible, and aligned with NCF-SE 2023, focusing on every child’s unique potential,” he said. He also stressed the importance of regularly updating learning outcomes to match changing technological and social needs.
Teacher training will be a crucial component of this initiative, with NISHTHA modules and video-based resources being developed to support effective classroom delivery. A Coordination Committee between NCERT and CBSE will oversee the integration and quality of the curriculum.
Joint Secretary (I&T) Prachi Pandey urged all stakeholders to follow the development schedule, noting that handbooks, resource materials, and digital content are expected to be ready by December 2025.
This landmark initiative marks a transformative phase in India’s education system, aiming to ensure that every student gains a foundational understanding of AI and computational thinking — skills essential for navigating and contributing to a technology-driven world.
