AI Curriculum to Start from Class 3 in 2026-27

The Indian Ministry of Education will introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools for students from Class 3 starting in the 2026-27 academic year. This initiative aims to prepare students for a technology-driven future. School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar stated that a comprehensive framework is being developed to integrate AI into the curriculum across various grades. He emphasized the need to train over one crore teachers nationwide to effectively teach AI. “We need to move fast so that students and teachers are properly aligned with this technology over the next two to three years,” Kumar said.

A pilot project is already in progress to help teachers utilize AI tools for lesson planning. Currently, more than 18,000 CBSE-affiliated schools offer AI as a skill subject from Class 6 through a 15-hour module, while it is available as an optional subject for Classes 9 to 12. The introduction of AI at an earlier stage marks a significant shift in India's educational approach, aiming to enhance digital literacy from a young age.

The announcement coincided with the release of a NITI Aayog report on AI and employment, which highlighted the potential impact of AI on jobs. The report predicts that while around two million traditional jobs may be displaced, eight million new roles could be created if the right ecosystem is established. B V R Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, noted that India’s IT workforce could shrink unless strategic reorientation is prioritized. He stated, “AI is changing work, workers, and the workplace.”

The report also called for collaboration between the proposed India AI Talent Mission and the existing India AI Mission, along with partnerships among academia, government, and industry to foster a supportive environment for AI innovation. Officials believe that with coordinated efforts, India can not only safeguard its workforce but also emerge as a global leader in AI development. The integration of AI into the school curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for the inclusion of emerging technologies in education.