India's education system takes a leap into the future with the launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI) and computational thinking curriculum for classes 3-8, designed to equip students with essential skills for the digital age.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched artificial intelligence and computational thinking curriculum for classes 3 to 8.
The minister said the launch of the curriculum will formally introduces structured AI education into the school ecosystem.
"The launch of this curriculum marks a transformative step towards future-ready learning at the start of the academic year. This initiative formally introduces structured AI education into the school ecosystem at scale," Pradhan said at the launch.
"Backed by structured modules, comprehensive teacher handbooks and robust student assessment frameworks, the initiative ensures early and systematic exposure to emerging technologies laying a strong foundation for the learners of tomorrow," he added.
Aligned with the vision of "AI for Education, AI in Education", Pradhan said that it marks a decisive shift towards augmented learning -- nurturing critical thinking, design orientation and a culture of innovation among young minds.
"As India's leadership in technology-driven computing gains global recognition, this curriculum will empower students to meaningfully engage with and shape the digital future. CBSE and NCERT institutionalising this forward-looking framework and advancing a more adaptive, technology-integrated education ecosystem," Pradhan said.
The CBSE had constituted an expert panel to develop the curriculum for artificial intelligence and computational thinking.
So far, CBSE used to offer AI as a 15-hour skill module from Class 6 onwards. It is also offered AI as an optional skill subject to students in classes 9-12.
Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said education must now prepare young minds not just for a changing world, but for a world that will change in ways we cannot yet predict.
"Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how knowledge is created, decisions are made, and economies function, making it imperative that our children are not passive users of technology, but thoughtful creators and responsible leaders of it.
"By introducing computational thinking from an early stage, we are laying the foundation for a generation that can learn, unlearn, and re-learn continuously, navigate uncertainty with confidence and transform disruption into opportunity," he said.
"This is not merely an academic reform, but a national investment in human capability, aligned with the vision of NEP 2020, to ensure that India's learners are equipped not only for the jobs of tomorrow, but to shape the ideas, systems, and solutions that will define the future of the world," Chaudhary said.