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CBSE AI Curriculum Draft: As the Board prepares to deploy an AI-focused curriculum, CBSE pupils as young as Class 3 are likely to see computational-thinking skills interwoven into all courses beginning next academic year.
A draft artificial intelligence (AI) and computational thinking curriculum developed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for classes 3 to 12 focuses on introducing foundational AI concepts in the lower classes, as well as advanced computational thinking and AI as compulsory subjects in classes 9 and 10, according to official sources.
The draft curriculum, which has been submitted to the NCERT for approval, lays out a framework for schools to integrate computational thinking and AI in a gradual and progressive manner from grades 3 to 12.
The curriculum is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for the introduction of “contemporary” subjects like AI, design thinking, and holistic health in the curriculum.
The curriculum advises that computational thinking, which is presently part of the math curriculum in schools, be infused in all disciplines such as language and ‘The World Around Us’, which contains components of environmental studies, science, and social science, according to sources. They noted that in these classrooms, tests on computational thinking will be linked to basic areas that children learn, such as arithmetic.
A similar approach is advocated for grades 6–8, where the curriculum advises introducing computational thinking into all courses. According to insiders, at this stage, pupils will likely be introduced to fundamental AI ideas. From Class 6, the curriculum recommends evaluations such as projects, presentations, assignments, and reflective journals.
According to official sources, the curriculum from classes 3 to 8 provides pupils with a foundation for learning how AI works through additional materials like as handbooks and worksheets.
The curriculum for younger classrooms, tentatively for grades 3-6, is expected to be introduced beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This, however, has yet to be finalized.
CBSE schools maintain flexibility in terms of the subjects taught and the materials used in younger levels. The board classes have compulsory subjects.
Students in classes 9 and 10 will be required to take advanced computational thinking and intermediate AI. According to reports, this is anticipated to be implemented beginning with the 2027-28 academic session, and it is at this time that programming aspects will be included. A separate textbook is being explored for the topic in these classes, and the CBSE has yet to decide whether assessments would be internal or included in the board exams.
In Class 11 and Class 12, core AI and machine-learning concepts and skills are set to be offered as elective subjects, allowing students who are interested in the subject to pursue it.
For computational thinking and AI, the draft curriculum suggests 50 hours and 125 hours of study across grades 3 to 5 and 6 to 12, respectively.
The CBSE is working on learning material for the subject, which is expected to be ready in December, and teachers’ training is likely to begin after that. For classes 3 to 5, math and other subject teachers are likely to teach the computational thinking syllabus, and for classes 6 to 8, teachers across disciplines will likely collaborate. For classes 9-12, computer science teachers will be involved.
With the curriculum, the CBSE aims to help students approach and solve problems systematically, find patterns, apply technology to solve problems, and inculcate aspects of the ethical use of technology.
CBSE now offers AI as a 15-hour skill module starting in Class 6. It is also given as an optional skill topic to students in grades 9 through 12.
Last month, the Education Ministry said that AI would be included in the school curriculum beginning with Class 3 in the academic year 2026-27, and that the CBSE has formed an expert team to establish the curriculum for artificial intelligence and computational thinking.
Source: IE
