NCERT rolls out 20-hour activity-based AI and computational thinking module for Classes 9 to 12 covering deepfakes and responsible AI use

Key facts

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released an activity-based 20-hour introductory module on computational thinking and artificial intelligence (AI) for Classes 9 to 12, developed by faculty from IIT Madras, IIT Jodhpur and NCERT and aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Designed for students with no prior knowledge of AI, the module is organised into five units covering AI in everyday life, how machines learn, why AI gets things wrong, data privacy and responsible use of AI, and the use of modern AI tools.
• The third unit examines AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes and hallucinations with a five-step verification method, while the fourth introduces India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and cautions against entering sensitive details such as Aadhaar or PAN numbers, passwords and one-time passwords into AI tools.
• The teaching plan spans 20 classroom hours, with activities in three modes: one device per student or pair, teacher-led demonstrations on a shared screen, and unplugged paper-based exercises for schools with limited devices or internet connectivity.
• Students maintain a 'Curious Notebook' portfolio of observations and reflections, and the module promotes a 'helper-stance' in which AI tools improve, rather than replace, independent thinking.
• Earlier, on April 2, the CBSE launched a structured CT and AI curriculum for Classes 3 to 8, recommending 50 hours annually for Classes 3 to 5 and 100 hours for Classes 6 to 8.