New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched a CBSE curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for students of Classes 3 to 8, to be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session.
The initiative, themed “AI for Education, AI in Education”, aims to build foundational digital and analytical skills among young learners by integrating future-ready competencies at an early stage.
The launch event in New Delhi was attended by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education, NCERT, and CBSE.
Pradhan described the move as a structured integration of AI into school education.
“This curriculum will infuse new energy into the education sector. It will foster logical thinking, fresh perspectives, and a culture of innovation among children,” he said. He added that it would enable students to better understand and engage with a technology-driven future.
The curriculum includes structured modules, teacher handbooks, and a defined assessment framework. It focuses on developing computational thinking — including logical reasoning, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and the ethical use of technology.
Students will also be introduced to practical applications of AI in everyday contexts, alongside building digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible use of technology.
For Classes 3 to 5, computational thinking will be integrated across subjects such as mathematics, languages, and environmental studies through activity-based learning, including puzzles, games, and storytelling.
In Classes 6 to 8, students will be introduced to foundational AI concepts alongside computational thinking.
Jayant Chaudhary said education systems must prepare students for a rapidly changing technological landscape. “Children should not remain mere consumers of technology but emerge as responsible creators and leaders,” he said.
The curriculum has been developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. It promotes interdisciplinary learning by linking AI concepts with mathematics, science, and the humanities, moving beyond rote learning towards critical and design thinking.
Officials said the rollout will be phased, beginning with a strong focus on computational thinking before expanding AI learning in higher classes. Support material will be made available through platforms such as DIKSHA.
(IANS)
