CBSE charts AI integration, skill development, and exam innovations as the wave of change

In adherence to the transformative New Education Policy (NEP 2020), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken significant strides in advancing skill development training among students. As a visionary move, the Board announced last year its commitment to instill coding and artificial intelligence (AI) education, initially set to commence from class 9. However, responding to the evolving educational landscape, the Board is now poised to extend this initiative to encompass classes VI to VIII.

In a recent development, the CBSE is gearing up to formulate a comprehensive policy on the integration of artificial intelligence in schools. The primary objectives behind this strategic move is to equip students with the skills necessary for future job markets and to foster a culture of innovation among them. In a pivotal meeting held in November of the previous year, the Board outlined its vision by proposing creating an all-encompassing AI strategy tailored for schools.

To ensure a well-rounded approach, the CBSE has decided to establish a committee entrusted with shaping this policy. The committee is set to include representatives from esteemed higher education institutions such as IITs and NITs, stakeholders from the AI industry, and officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, alongside CBSE authorities. Anticipated to conclude its deliberations by April of the current year, the committee is expected to submit comprehensive recommendations.

Earlier plans by the Board had outlined the inclusion of 33 subjects as part of the skill development training programme. These subjects span a diverse range, including data science, artificial intelligence, Khadi Kashmiri Embroidery, Augmented Reality (AR), financial literacy, coding, and satellite applications.

Each module is projected to demand between 12 and 15 hours, with a meticulous division of time between practical hands-on work and theoretical learning, maintaining a ratio of 70–30.