DoSE&L Reaffirms Focus on AI and CT in School Curriculum

The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, has reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking (AI & CT) as integral components of India’s future-ready education system. The Department is working closely with national education bodies — including CBSE, NCERT, KVS, and NVS — as well as States and Union Territories, to design a comprehensive and inclusive AI & CT curriculum under the framework of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023.

The move aims to nurture young learners’ understanding of technology, creativity, and problem-solving from an early stage. The concept of “AI for Public Good” lies at the heart of the initiative, reflecting India’s commitment to ethical and socially beneficial use of AI. The technology will be gradually introduced from the foundational level, starting in Grade 3, ensuring that students grow with an intuitive understanding of computational and ethical thinking.

Stakeholder Consultation Brings Together Key Institutions

A major stakeholder consultation was held on 29th October 2025, featuring participation from key institutions including CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, and leading external experts. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already formed an expert committee chaired by Prof. Karthik Raman of IIT Madras to draft and guide the development of the AI & CT curriculum.

The consultation aimed to create a consensus-driven approach to curriculum design, ensuring inclusivity, scalability, and alignment with the NCF SE 2023 framework.

AI as a Basic Universal Skill

Speaking at the event, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSE&L, highlighted that education in Artificial Intelligence must be treated as a basic universal skill, intrinsically linked to real-world understanding under the theme of The World Around Us (TWAU).

He stressed that the upcoming curriculum should be broad-based, inclusive, and adaptive, ensuring that “every child’s distinct potential is our priority.” Shri Kumar also emphasized the need for continuous evaluation, stating, “Our job as policymakers is to define the minimum threshold and re-evaluate it based on changing needs.”

Teacher Training and Implementation Backbone

The Secretary underscored that teacher training and learning materials will be pivotal for the successful rollout of the AI & CT curriculum. Initiatives like NISHTHA’s teacher training modules and video-based learning resources will support educators in understanding and delivering AI-driven concepts effectively.

A Coordination Committee comprising members from NCERT and CBSE will oversee the seamless integration and quality assurance of the new curriculum. Shri Kumar also advocated for drawing lessons from international boards and cross-national frameworks, while tailoring the curriculum to India’s unique educational landscape.

Timely Implementation and Accountability

In her concluding remarks, Smt. Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary (I&T), emphasized the importance of adhering to the established timelines for curriculum development and rollout. She reiterated that timely implementation and inter-agency coordination are essential to ensure that the vision of AI-integrated education reaches classrooms efficiently.

With this initiative, India takes another major step towards preparing its students for the AI-driven future, embedding computational thinking and ethical awareness as central pillars of learning.

The post AI and Computational Thinking to Be Core to Future-Ready Education: Education Ministry appeared first on Odisha Connect.