Government plans AI textbooks for Classes 11 and 12 under NEP 2020

The Union government has taken fresh steps to expand artificial intelligence education in schools, with NCERT beginning work on dedicated AI textbooks for senior secondary students, the Ministry of Education told Parliament.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, the ministry said NCERT has set up a textbook development team to design syllabi and learning materials on Artificial Intelligence for Classes 11 and 12.

The move is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

“As a follow-up to the NEP 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has constituted a Textbook Development Team to develop syllabi and textbooks of Artificial Intelligence for Grades 11 and 12,” the Ministry of Education said.

“NCERT has also included a project on Animation and Games in the vocational education textbook for Grade 6. This project includes the use of AI tools,” the ministry added.

The ministry said AI exposure is also being extended to younger students. NCERT has incorporated an AI-based project focused on animation and games in the vocational education textbook for Class 6, introducing students to practical applications of emerging technologies at an early stage.

Officials reiterated that Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking are being positioned as core elements of future-oriented schooling.

The government has stated that AI curriculum will be rolled out across schools from Class 3 onward beginning in the 2026–27 academic session, in line with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023.

According to official sources, the Central Board of Secondary Education has already prepared a draft curriculum on AI and computational thinking for Classes 3 to 12.

The framework proposes early introduction of basic AI concepts in lower grades, with advanced computational thinking and AI becoming compulsory subjects in Classes 9 and 10.

The ministry also highlighted the launch of SOAR, or Skilling for AI Readiness, a national initiative aligned with NEP 2020, the National Programme on AI Skilling Framework, and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The program aims to promote AI awareness among students from Classes 6 to 12 while strengthening AI literacy among teachers.

Officials said SOAR is designed to address digital gaps by expanding access to AI education across regions and school systems.

The curriculum is structured around four progressive modules aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework.

For students in Classes 6 to 12, the program offers three micro-credentials: AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire. Each module carries 15 hours of instruction, adding up to a total of 45 hours of AI-focused learning.