What the module covers and who helped create it
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has published a new, activity-based module of 20 hours on computational thinking (CT) and artificial intelligence (AI) for students in classes 9–12. NCERT developed the introductory module in consultation with IIT Madras and IIT Jodhpur, and says it is designed for learners with no prior knowledge of AI.
Aims, classroom approach and accessibility
The module is structured to introduce how AI works, its applications and its limitations, and to build students’ ability to critically evaluate AI outputs rather than accept them uncritically. NCERT describes the approach as experiential and activity-based, using discussions, practical exercises, experimentation and reflection. Activities are designed so they can be carried out with or without digital devices, a measure NCERT says will support meaningful participation across diverse school contexts.
“Designed for students with no prior knowledge of AI, the module promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. It introduces CT as a systematic approach to solving problems and helps learners understand how AI works, its applications, possibilities and limitations,” NCERT said.
Ethical boundaries, data privacy and misinformation
NCERT places special emphasis on the ethical and safe use of AI. The module addresses data privacy, misinformation, fairness, digital safety and critical verification of AI-generated information, including detecting deepfakes. The council frames the programme as preparing students to be “informed, confident, and responsible technology users,” while reinforcing that human judgement, creativity and ethical responsibility remain central to learning.
What this means for schools and teachers
Because the module uses activity-based learning, schools can adapt it to their existing timetables and resource constraints. NCERT’s explicit note that activities can be conducted without digital devices aims to make the module usable in low-connectivity or low-resource environments, though the document does not replace the need for teacher training to deliver AI concepts responsibly. The module’s consultation with IIT Madras and IIT Jodhpur gives it academic backing, but effective classroom implementation will depend on state education boards, school administrations and teacher preparedness.
- Duration: 20 hours
- Target group: students of classes 9–12
- Developed with: IIT Madras and IIT Jodhpur
- Focus areas: computational thinking, how AI works, limitations, ethical use, data privacy, misinformation and detecting deepfakes
- Delivery: activity-based; possible with or without digital devices
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Module length | 20 hours |
| Classes | 9–12 |
| Pedagogy | Experiential, activity-based learning |
| Key topics | CT, AI basics, limitations, ethics, data privacy, deepfake detection, misinformation |
Context and limitations
The module is introductory and intended to make students “careful, confident, creative, and responsible users and evaluators of AI systems,” rather than to train specialist AI engineers. NCERT’s emphasis on verification and human judgement suggests the document is aimed at digital literacy and ethical awareness rather than technical depth. The council has said activities can be run without devices to increase accessibility, but the published module itself is an introductory curriculum; the pace and depth of adoption will vary across states and schools.
NCERT published the module on 25 October 2026 at 01:04 pm IST.
