CBSE Draft Curriculum Proposes Widespread Integration of Computational Thinking and AI

By Jace November 13, 2025
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has prepared a progressive draft curriculum aimed at fundamentally overhauling how students learn problem-solving and digital skills, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This comprehensive framework, which has been submitted to the NCERT for review, plans to integrate computational thinking and foundational concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the school system from as early as Class 3.

The core of the proposal involves embedding computational thinking, currently a part of the Mathematics syllabus, into all subjects like language and ‘The World Around Us’ for students in Classes 3 to 5. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to cultivate skills like systematic problem-solving and pattern recognition. The assessment for these younger students will be linked to their core subjects, ensuring the new concepts support existing learning.

Moving into the middle school stage, from Classes 6 to 8, the curriculum suggests that computational thinking remain integrated across disciplines. More importantly, students will be introduced to the foundational concepts of AI. This exposure will come through interactive methods like projects, presentations, and reflective journals, moving beyond passive theory to practical understanding of how AI functions.

The draft outlines an escalation of difficulty for senior classes. In Classes 9 and 10, advanced computational thinking and intermediate AI are set to become compulsory subjects. This stage will introduce elements of programming, with the Board considering a separate textbook. For Classes 11 and 12, core AI and machine learning concepts will be offered as elective subjects, catering to students who wish to pursue the technology in greater depth.

This ambitious curriculum shift is not merely about coding; it aims to instil ethical use of technology, critical thinking, and a systematic approach to addressing real-world challenges. With approximately 50 hours of study suggested for the younger grades and 125 hours for the secondary levels, the CBSE is creating a structured pathway.

The Board is currently finalising learning materials and plans to commence teacher training shortly after. The phased rollout is tentatively set to begin with the lower classes from the 2026-27 academic session, marking a significant step toward future proofing the education of Indian students.

Source: INDIAN EXPRESS

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