AI to enter school, university curriculum: Dharmendra Pradhan reviews education reforms under NEP

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said while announcing that the Centre will formally introduce AI as a skill subject in schools and update higher education curricula.

The minister chaired the third meeting of the Consultative Committee on the use of AI in teaching and learning on Thursday, where the ministry reviewed the systematic integration of AI across the school education system in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).

Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said that AI has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education, particularly by making quality education more inclusive, accessible and equitable.

He reiterated that the ministry is focused on a student-centric and personalised approach to improve learning outcomes, while addressing the unique requirements of India’s diverse student population.

A detailed presentation outlined curriculum reforms such as age-appropriate computational thinking and AI literacy from the foundational stage, project-based learning, and the formal introduction of AI as a skill subject at the secondary level.

The ministry also showcased digital initiatives such as DIKSHA 2.0, e-Jaadui Pitara, Guru-Mitra, the TARA app, My Career Advisor and Vidya Samiksha Kendra, which use AI for personalised learning, teacher support, career guidance, multilingual access, assessment and real-time monitoring of student progress.

The education ministry has also announced AI-enabled curriculum updates in centrally-funded higher education institutions, along with the integration of skill-based and interdisciplinary courses.

Further, the ministry highlighted efforts to strengthen digital and physical infrastructure to support advanced learning and research, and improve graduate employability and ensure that India’s higher education system remains globally competitive and inclusive.

Minister of State for education and DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar; MoS for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (IC) and Education, Jayant Chaudhary; members of the committee; and other senior members attended the meeting.