“NCERT Forms Dedicated Team to Create AI Textbooks for Classes 11–12 Under NEP 2020”

In a major step toward future-ready education, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has constituted a dedicated textbook development team to design syllabi and textbooks on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for senior secondary students in Classes 11 and 12, the Ministry of Education told Parliament on Monday. 

This initiative is part of India’s broader educational reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, aiming to align school education with real-world technological advancements. By introducing AI as a core academic subject, the government hopes to equip students with advanced computational thinking, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of machine intelligence that will be essential in the evolving digital economy.

According to the ministry’s reply, the new textbooks and curriculum will cover fundamental and advanced AI concepts tailored to senior secondary learners, ensuring that students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical insight into real-world applications of AI. As part of this effort, NCERT has also included an AI-based project on animation and games in the vocational education textbook for Class 6, introducing younger learners to AI tools early on

This move aligns with parallel efforts by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which has drafted a comprehensive curriculum on AI and computational thinking for students from Classes 3 to 12. Under this framework, foundational AI ideas will be introduced in primary grades, while advanced concepts are planned to become compulsory for students in Classes 9 and 10.

To further strengthen the AI education ecosystem, the Government of India has launched the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative, which is designed to build AI awareness and foundational skills among students and teachers. The SOAR program offers structured micro-credentials that progressively develop students’ AI competencies, helping bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to quality technology education across regions. 

With these measures, India is pushing to transform its education system, preparing young learners to thrive in an AI-driven future and contribute meaningfully to ethical and technological progress