18,839 CBSE schools offer AI as a skill subject from Class 6: Education ministry

As per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendations, a total of 18,839 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools offer AI as skill subject and a 15-hour skill module from Class 6 onwards, across the country. The data is shared by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.

CBSE also offers AI as an optional subject from Class 9 to 12. Furthermore, NEP 2020 acknowledged the importance of AI, IoT, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies and recommended their inclusion in the curriculum.

Since 2019, CBSE has trained more than 10,000 teachers across the country on its AI curriculum with the support of experts from Intel, IBM, NIELIT, and other higher education institutions.

The existing curriculum of the Class 9 computer science textbook, chapter 3, and the informatics practice textbook, chapter 2, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), talks about AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies.

Also, NCERT has used AI and ML technologies to translate the newly launched textbooks of Classes 1 and 2 in all 22 Indian languages.

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CBSE schools offering AI skill subject

The details of CBSE schools offering AI as a skill subject and module across the country are as follows.

Additionally, the minister has shared the details of CBSE schools, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and in Prakasam, offering AI.

Skilling for AI readiness in Classes 6 to 12

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has also launched a national-level initiative, Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR), aiming to embed AI awareness and foundational skills among Classes 6 to 12 students (Classes 6–12), and AI literacy among educators. SOAR comprises three 15-hour modules for students – AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire – and one independent 45-hour module for teachers titled AI for teachers.

The programme has introduced concepts such as AI basics, generative AI, AI in daily life, programming fundamentals, ethics, cybersecurity, and future career opportunities.

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Labs, smart classrooms in schools

Furthermore, the ICT and Digital Initiatives component of Samagra Shiksha covers government and government-aided schools having Classes 6 to 12. Under this category, financial assistance is offered to establish ICT Labs and smart classrooms in schools. The nonrecurring and recurring grant under ‘ICT and Digital Initiatives’ is available to the States and UTs.

As per the UDISE+ 2023-24 report, 4,76,669 schools have functional desktops and PCs, 2,56,392 schools have functional laptops/notebooks, 2,75,857 schools have functional tablets, 3,59,457 schools have smart classrooms used for teaching with digital boards, and 7,92,992 schools have internet facilities across India.