The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has started work on new textbooks for Artificial Intelligence (AI). These books are for students in Classes 11 and 12 across India. The main goal is to teach senior secondary students basic ideas about AI and how it is used in their daily lives. This is the first time NCERT will have full-length textbooks dedicated only to AI for these senior classes. Before this, AI was taught mainly through short lessons or skill-based activities.
What Will Students Learn?
These new textbooks will help students understand what Artificial Intelligence is and how AI systems work. They will also learn where AI is used and what its limits are. NCERT wants students to get a clear picture of this important technology. The content will not focus only on computer programming. Instead, it will explain how AI is used in many areas students already know.
For example, the books will explain how AI works in popular search engines. They will show how AI helps in image recognition, like when your phone identifies faces. Other topics include how AI powers language tools and various digital platforms used every day. Students will discover how AI makes their online experiences better and faster. They will understand the technology behind suggestions they get on websites or streaming services, making AI relatable to their world.
| **Key Initiative** | Introduction of AI Textbooks |
| **Organization** | National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) |
| **Classes Covered** | Classes 11 and 12 |
| **Main Goal** | Teach basic AI concepts and everyday uses |
| **Content Focus** | How AI works, its uses, its limits (not just programming) |
| **Examples of Use** | Search engines, image recognition, language tools, digital platforms |
| **Reason for Introduction** | Prepare students for higher education and future jobs requiring AI awareness |
| **Next Steps** | Internal review, approvals, teacher support, classroom readiness |
Why AI Education is Important Now
NCERT decided to introduce these textbooks because basic knowledge of AI is now very important. Students need this understanding before they go for higher studies or start their careers. Today, colleges and universities expect students to know about digital systems and AI, even in non-technical fields. Knowing AI can open doors to many different jobs in the future. It is a key skill for the digital world. These textbooks will give students a strong base, no matter what they choose to study next.
NCERT's Plan and Next Steps
NCERT has already been adding technology-related content to school books for some years. In middle-school vocational books, students do simple AI-based activities. These activities show how technology helps in real life. The new textbooks for Classes 11 and 12 are the next step in this process. A special group of experts within NCERT is preparing these books. After the books are ready, they will go through a careful internal review to ensure content is accurate and easy to understand. Once approved, NCERT will introduce them.
Before the books are used in classrooms, NCERT will also work on other important steps. They plan to support teachers with special training programs. This training will help teachers understand the new AI content well and teach these topics simply. Making sure classrooms are ready for this new subject is also a key part of the plan.
These new AI textbooks will help Indian students stay updated with the latest technology. They will gain important skills needed for the future job market. This move will make sure students are well-prepared for a world where Artificial Intelligence plays a growing role.
