Curriculum
CBSE’s New AI Curriculum, Class by Class: What Changes From Class 3 to Class 12
Subject codes, timelines and what actually gets taught at each stage — broken down grade by grade.
TL;DR
- 1.The AI & Computational Thinking (AI & CT) curriculum is staged: computational thinking in Classes 3–5 and introductory AI in Classes 6–8 from 2026–27, AI as an optional skill subject in Classes 9–12 today, with a compulsory AI & CT course reported to begin at Class 9 in 2027–28.
- 2.Today, Artificial Intelligence in Classes 9–10 is the optional skill subject with Subject Code 417, and in Classes 11–12 the optional skill subject with Subject Code 843. A school may or may not offer them. The compulsory course reported for 2027–28 is a new course, not Subject Code 417 made compulsory.
- 3.The Classes 3–8 framework was developed by CBSE with IIT Madras Bodhan AI Foundation experts and inputs from NCERT — the class-wise structure is deliberately sequenced, not a single one-size-fits-all module.
Classes 3–8: foundational AI & Computational Thinking
CBSE’s official framework applies from the 2026–27 academic year. Classes 3–5 (about 50 hours a year) cover computational thinking only — patterns, breaking problems into clues and following step-by-step rules — built into Mathematics and The World Around Us, with no AI theory. Classes 6–8 (about 100 hours a year) add a 20-hour introductory AI syllabus per class (what AI is, data, prediction techniques, AI domains, bias, the AI project cycle and ethics), alongside 40 hours of advanced computational thinking and 40 hours of interdisciplinary projects. The official CBSE curriculum document for this stage is publicly available.
Classes 9–10: an optional skill subject today, with a compulsory course announced
- Today (2026–27): Artificial Intelligence is an optional skill subject, Subject Code 417. A school may or may not offer it, and it is not compulsory for students.
- Announced: news reports of CBSE’s 2026–27 curriculum announcement say an AI & Computational Thinking course becomes compulsory from Class 9 in the 2027–28 academic session, with the first board examinations for it in 2029 and new textbooks being prepared. We have not seen the Subject Code for this new course, so it should not be assumed to be 417.
- Moves from foundational awareness to a structured, assessed subject — meaning schools will need trained subject teachers, not just a general awareness session.
Classes 11–12: an optional skill subject (Subject Code 843)
At the senior secondary stage, AI is offered as an optional skill subject under Subject Code 843, not a compulsory subject. This lets students who want to go deeper — towards engineering, data science, or applied AI — choose it, while keeping the compulsory load manageable for students headed in other directions.
What this means for schools planning ahead
- Classes 3–8 need general classroom teachers oriented to AI & CT concepts — this is the widest, most immediate training need.
- Classes 9–10 need at least one dedicated, subject-competent AI teacher per school ahead of 2027–28, since the course reported to become compulsory is graded and assessed.
- Classes 11–12 need deeper technical capacity only where the school chooses to offer the optional subject — this can be phased in later than the compulsory stages.
The planning mistake to avoid
Treating this as one curriculum to “roll out” in one go. It is three distinct staged requirements with different timelines and different teacher-capability needs. Schools that plan Classes 3–8, 9–10 and 11–12 as separate workstreams will be far better prepared than schools that treat it as a single project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Class 3–8 content the same as the Class 9–10 subject?
No. Classes 3–8 introduce computational thinking (Classes 3–5) and introductory AI (Classes 6–8) as foundational concepts. In Classes 9–10, AI is today an optional skill subject under Subject Code 417 with a materially different level of depth and assessment, and a compulsory course is reported to start from Class 9 in 2027–28.
Is AI compulsory in Classes 9 and 10?
Not today. It is an optional skill subject (Subject Code 417) that a school may or may not offer. News reports of CBSE’s 2026–27 curriculum announcement say a compulsory AI & Computational Thinking course begins at Class 9 in 2027–28, with first board exams in 2029. Check your school’s circulars for confirmation.
Is AI compulsory in Classes 11 and 12?
No — at the senior secondary stage, AI is offered as an optional skill subject under Subject Code 843, not a compulsory subject.
When do schools need a dedicated AI subject teacher?
Ahead of the 2027–28 academic year, when the compulsory course is reported to begin at Class 9 and require subject-level competence, not just general awareness. Schools that offer Subject Code 417 today already need one.
Sources & Further Reading
- CBSE — Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence, Classes 3–8 Curriculum (official PDF)
- Business Standard via Vision IAS — CBSE rolls out new curriculum with AI course (3 April 2026)
- Careers360 — CBSE Class 10 AI syllabus (Subject Code 417, optional skill subject)
- India’s AI Curriculum Mandate Starts 2026–27: Is Your School Ready? — AI Ready School
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