AI From Class 3 Nationwide in 2026-27; CBSE Framework and Teacher Training Underway

AI from Class 3 in 2026-27: What School Leaders Need to Do Now

The Ministry of Education will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the school curriculum from Class 3 onward starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is developing a framework to guide AI integration across grades.

Officials say the immediate priority is aligning both students and teachers with AI over the next two to three years. A pilot is already running to help teachers use AI tools for lesson planning.

What's changing

• AI becomes a part of learning from Class 3 through Class 12, starting 2026-27.
• Today, over 18,000 CBSE schools offer AI as a skill subject from Class 6 via a 15-hour module; for Classes 9-12, AI is an optional subject.
• The system must reach and orient over one crore (10 million) teachers to deliver AI-related learning effectively.
• CBSE is creating a grade-wise integration framework; early pilots support teachers in planning with AI tools.

Why this matters for education leaders

A NITI Aayog report projects that about two million traditional jobs could be displaced while up to eight million new roles may emerge-provided the right ecosystem is built. The report calls for tight collaboration between the proposed India AI Talent Mission, the ongoing India AI Mission, and partnerships across academia, government, and industry to ensure compute access, data availability, and a pipeline of skilled talent.

• Read more at NITI Aayog

Action plan for 2025-26 (prep year)

• Set up an AI implementation team: a lead, ICT coordinator, and representatives from primary, middle, and secondary sections.
• Map competencies by grade bands: concepts, skills, ethics, and assessment methods.
• Teacher development: short microlearning modules, peer coaching, and model lesson libraries. Aim to train early adopters first (10-15% of staff).
• Infrastructure basics: reliable internet, shared devices, teacher accounts for AI tools, and a clear policy on generative AI use.
• Classroom use-cases to start with: lesson planning, formative assessment, differentiation for mixed-ability classrooms, and accessibility support.
• Curriculum alignment: integrate AI concepts into math, science, social science, and language rather than isolating it as a single unit.
• Safety and ethics: student data privacy, bias awareness, and academic integrity. Include parent communication and consent where needed.
• Measurement: set learning outcomes, run a baseline survey, and track teacher adoption and student projects each term.

Suggested progression by grade

• Classes 3-5: Patterns, classification, step-by-step thinking, and responsible technology use. Unplugged activities plus demos of image or text classification (conceptual, not code-heavy).
• Classes 6-8: Data basics, prompts, block-based logic, and simple projects (e.g., chat assistants for FAQs, image labeling). Align with the 15-hour skill module already used in many schools.
• Classes 9-12: Optional tracks: Python fundamentals, intro to machine learning concepts, AI ethics, and domain projects (science fair prototypes, local problem statements). Include career awareness and portfolio building.

Teacher enablement

• Use AI for admin time-savers: lesson plans, rubrics, quiz generation, and differentiated worksheets.
• Build a vetted toolset and a "what's allowed" guide. Start with a small set of tools that meet privacy and safety requirements.
• Create exemplars: a shared folder of lesson plans, prompts, and student tasks that colleagues can remix.

Governance and safety

• Draft an AI usage policy for students and staff: permitted use-cases, disclosure norms, and plagiarism rules.
• Set up a review cadence: evaluate tools quarterly for cost, safety, and learning impact.
• Run parent orientations on benefits, risks, and how the school will protect student data.

Key references and resources

• CBSE academic resources and skill education updates: cbseacademic.nic.in
• NITI Aayog's work on AI and jobs: niti.gov.in
• Curated AI courses by job role (for staff upskilling): Complete AI Training

What to do this term

• Identify two pilot grades per section (e.g., Class 4 and 5; 7 and 8; 9 and 11) and define clear learning outcomes.
• Onboard a small cohort of teachers to the lesson-planning pilot and collect examples to share school-wide.
• Audit devices and connectivity; finalize your AI tool shortlist and usage policy.
• Schedule parent and student orientations before the 2026-27 rollout.

The policy direction is clear: foundational AI literacy starts early, and teachers need support fast. With a focused plan, schools can move from pilots to confident delivery by the time the new framework lands.