SRINAGAR: The Union Government has initiated a nationwide effort to train schoolteachers in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking as it prepares to introduce an AI-integrated CBSE curriculum from the 2026–27 academic year, according to an official response tabled in the Rajya Sabha on December 10.
The Ministry of Education stated that the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 mandate the inclusion of Computational Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Machine Learning and Data Science in school education, with NCERT’s new textbooks for classes 3 to 8 already embedding computational thinking across subjects.
The Ministry said NCERT has begun training teachers to develop digital learning resources, including video-based materials and online modules, to familiarise them with AI and CT concepts. It added that these efforts are part of a structured approach to prepare schools for the revised curriculum.
A major component of the training plan is the newly launched SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative, aimed at building AI awareness and foundational competencies among students of classes 6 to 12 and improving AI literacy among educators. The programme comprises four National Skills Qualification Framework-aligned modules and offers three micro-credentials for students — AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire — each of 15 hours.
For teachers, a dedicated 45-hour module titled AI for Educators provides training in AI concepts, pedagogy and classroom application. The Ministry said State and Union Territory administrations have been asked to raise awareness about SOAR and encourage schools to conduct capacity-building workshops.
The Government said the framework is intended to bridge the digital divide, ensure equitable access to AI education and support the national goal of preparing a future-ready workforce under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
