CBSE rolls out curriculum on computational thinking, AI for Classes 3-8 from 2026-27

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday launched a CBSE curriculum on Computational Thinking (CT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for students of Classes 3 to 8, to be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session.

The initiative, themed “AI for Education, AI in Education”, aims to build foundational digital and analytical skills among young learners by integrating future-ready competencies at an early stage.

The launch event in New Delhi was attended by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education, NCERT, and CBSE.

Pradhan described the move as a structured integration of AI into school education.

“This curriculum will infuse new energy into the education sector. It will foster logical thinking, fresh perspectives, and a culture of innovation among children,” he said. He added that it would enable students to better understand and engage with a technology-driven future.

The curriculum includes structured modules, teacher handbooks, and a defined assessment framework. It focuses on developing computational thinking — including logical reasoning, problem-solving, pattern recognition, and the ethical use of technology.

Students will also be introduced to practical applications of AI in everyday contexts, alongside building digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible use of technology.

For Classes 3 to 5, computational thinking will be integrated across subjects such as mathematics, languages, and environmental studies through activity-based learning, including puzzles, games, and storytelling.

In Classes 6 to 8, students will be introduced to foundational AI concepts alongside computational thinking.

Jayant Chaudhary said education systems must prepare students for a rapidly changing technological landscape. “Children should not remain mere consumers of technology but emerge as responsible creators and leaders,” he said.

The curriculum has been developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. It promotes interdisciplinary learning by linking AI concepts with mathematics, science, and the humanities, moving beyond rote learning towards critical and design thinking.

Officials said the rollout will be phased, beginning with a strong focus on computational thinking before expanding AI learning in higher classes. Support material will be made available through platforms such as DIKSHA.

–IANS

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Telangana’s new education policy will bring many reforms, says CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad, Sep 5 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Friday that the proposed new education policy will bring many reforms in the education sector to help rebuild the state.

He appealed to the entire teachers’ fraternity to join hands with the government for the reconstruction of the state.

Speaking at the Teachers’ Day Celebrations here, the Chief Minister said that he kept the education portfolio with himself for the revival of the key sector, which he said was completely ruined during the 10-year rule of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

“Many Chief Ministers kept the Revenue, Finance and Irrigation departments under their control. I have been closely monitoring the education wing as an education minister,” the CM said, in response to the criticism by some opposition leaders for holding an education portfolio. “My strong counter to them is I am already reviving the education sector by introducing a slew of reforms,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the previous BRS government promised free KG to PG education to the poor, but did not implement it. Teachers’ recruitment was also stopped in 2017.

“The people’s government recruited 11,000 teachers in just 55 days of coming to power. The previous government did not enhance the diet and cosmetic charges. The education sector was promoted as a profitable business, and the universities were completely non-functional by not appointing teaching staff. The famous Osmania University and Kakatiya Universities lost their glory under the previous regime,” he said.

Praising the teachers for playing an important role during the Telangana movement, the Chief Minister said that it was the teachers who took the slogan of Jai Telangana to every village. The teachers also influenced the parents during the intensified Telangana struggle. He assured them that the people’s government will be proactive in addressing their demands.

CM Revanth Reddy also highlighted the need to introduce a new education policy for which the government has already constituted an official committee.

He claimed that the efforts put in by the government are already giving desirable results. The enrolment of students in the government schools decreased in the past. After the people’s government assumed power, the enrolment increased by 3 lakhs. At present, 24 lakh students are studying in 27,000 government schools. The number of students studying in 10,000 private schools is 34 lakhs.

The Chief Minister said that the government teachers are highly qualified and socially responsible. Apart from giving salaries, basic amenities should also be provided in the government schools. The self-help groups were already entrusted with the responsibility of the management of schools in the name of Amma Adarsh Schools. The government has sanctioned Rs 130 crore for the management of schools.

Stating that education alone will change the destiny of the students, the Chief Minister said that teachers should play a key role in giving a bright future to the students.

He appealed to the teachers to have Mid-day meals with the children in the schools to rectify the mistakes, if any. ” Let us all pledge to develop the government schools to compete with the corporate institutions,” he added.

CM Revanth Reddy said that to improve skills, the government is building Young India Residential Schools as the world’s best model and has also set up a Skills University to provide skills to unemployed youth.

“We have also upgraded 65 ITIs to ATCs as a joint venture with the Tata Company. Young India Sports University and Sports Academy are also being set up to enhance the prestige of the country and identify the talent to promote the world’s best sports persons. The teachers were also requested to identify and encourage those who are interested in sports in rural areas and create awareness that excelling in sports will also lead to a better future.”

He stated that another big responsibility of the teaching community is to create awareness among the students about drug abuse. The government has already established Eagle Force to crack down on drug trafficking and ganja smuggling in Telangana, the CM added.

–IANS

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TN to roll out high-speed internet for rural households under ‘BharatNet’ scheme

Chennai, May 24 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government is set to launch an ambitious initiative to provide high-speed internet access to all rural households in the state, targeting one crore homes per year.

The scheme is being implemented under the Central government’s ‘BharatNet’ project, aimed at bridging the digital divide across rural India.

In Tamil Nadu, the project is spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu FiberNet Corporation Ltd (TANFINET). High-speed internet connectivity through optical fibre cables is being established in 12,525 gram panchayats across the state.

The groundwork began in 2018 and has now reached its final phase. So far, optical fibre cables have been laid over a distance of nearly 55,000 kilometres, covering 11,800 villages.

Some delays were encountered in certain locations, particularly in forest regions, due to challenges in obtaining clearances and executing cable-laying operations. However, the government has announced that all pending work is expected to be completed by next month.

Currently, notices inviting applications for internet service providers in around 4,000 villages have been published on the official TANFINET website (https://tanfinet.tn.gov.in).

Similar notices for an additional 4,000 villages are set to be released in the coming days, with the remainder to follow soon after. The rollout of actual internet connections is scheduled to begin next month. The government has set a bold target of connecting one crore rural households with high-speed internet within this year.

To ensure affordability and wide adoption, internet plans are being tailored to meet both household and business needs. For homes, unlimited internet at 20 Mbps will be offered at a base price of Rs 199 per month. Higher-tier plans of Rs 399 and Rs 499 will provide increased speeds. For businesses, two initial plans are available, Rs 899 and Rs 1,199, with enhanced bandwidth.

Officials have noted that all plans are subject to change based on government discretion and consumer demand. With this digital push, Tamil Nadu aims to enhance rural connectivity, empower digital learning, and boost economic activity through improved internet access.

–IANS

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President Murmu to inaugurate Aadi Mahotsav 2025 tomorrow

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu will on Sunday inaugurate Aadi Mahotsav 2025 – a festival to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.

The Aadi Mahotsav 2025 will be organised from February 16-24, 2025, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium New Delhi. The festival aims to celebrate and showcase the vibrant culture, heritage, and economic potential of India’s tribal communities.

The festival is a significant initiative under Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)’s mission to promote livelihood opportunities.

Aadi Mahotsav 2025 is expected to attract a large audience, including government officials, corporate leaders, and the general public, as they witness and support the extraordinary craftsmanship and talent of India’s tribal artisans.

The festival will bring together over 600 tribal artisans, 500 performing artists, and 25 tribal food stalls, representing the diverse traditions of more than 30 states and Union Territories.

On the eve of the event, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said: “Aadi Mahotsav is not just an event; it is a initiative empower tribal communities by providing them with an extensive marketplace. This festival ensures the promotion of tribal products, bridging the gap between traditional art forms and modern consumers.”

Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durga Das Uikey, expressed his enthusiasm about the festival’s impact, saying: “The Aadi Mahotsav strengthens the livelihoods of tribal artisans by facilitating access to national and international markets. We are committed to expanding these opportunities for our tribal entrepreneurs.”

Key Highlights of Aadi Mahotsav 2025 include: Live demonstrations by tribal artisans from various states; Collaboration with 20 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and 35 training institutes; Signing of over 25 MoUs with design institutes and corporate houses; State and International pavilions showcasing unique tribal crafts; Brand integration on eight major e-commerce platforms; participation of delegations from Sri Lanka and Indonesia; Partnership with IFCA for digital onboarding of tribal culinary items; MoU with NEST for training and capacity building in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and MoU with HPMC for value addition to minor forest products like Mahua.

–IANS

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