Education & Technology Desk
New Delhi | In a landmark move to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence, the Ministry of Education has officially rolled out a National AI Curriculum across secondary schools starting this academic year. The initiative, launched on Thursday by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, aims to equip students from Class 6 onwards with foundational skills in AI, machine learning, and robotics.
Developed in collaboration with IITs, NITI Aayog, and industry leaders like Infosys and Google, the curriculum will be integrated into computer science and STEM subjects and feature hands-on modules, coding exercises, ethical discussions, and real-world problem-solving.
“India’s demographic dividend lies in our students. By introducing AI at an early age, we’re preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow’s digital economy,” said Pradhan at the launch event in New Delhi.
The curriculum will be offered in both Hindi and English, with plans to include regional languages by 2026. A special teacher training program has also been initiated to support smooth implementation across the country’s 30,000 CBSE-affiliated schools.
Experts have praised the move, noting it aligns with India’s Digital India and Skill India missions. However, some educators have raised concerns about readiness in rural schools, citing gaps in infrastructure and internet access.
To address these concerns, the government announced a ₹300 crore support package for under-resourced schools, including provisions for AI labs, devices, and internet access.
With this bold step, India joins countries like the US, UK, and China in formalizing AI education at the school level—potentially shaping the next generation of tech leaders
