NCERT AI and Computational Thinking Module for Classes 9–12: Coverage, Focus and Unanswered Questions

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has released an introductory module on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking for Classes 9 to 12, with particular emphasis on the ethical use of AI, including deepfakes. In a separate development, an education minister has admitted that government school textbooks being distributed are smaller than standard NCERT books. Together, the two stories place India’s apex school curriculum body at the centre of debates ranging from AI literacy to the physical quality of classroom learning materials.

What is NCERT, and why do its decisions matter?

The National Council of Educational Research and Training is an autonomous organisation set up by the Government of India to improve the quality of school education. NCERT develops the National Curriculum Framework, prepares model textbooks widely used by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools and many state boards, and conducts research and training for teachers. When NCERT introduces a new module — such as the recently released AI course for senior secondary classes — it can reach tens of millions of students. Equally, any shortfall against NCERT standards, like the textbook size issue recently admitted by a minister, immediately affects large numbers of government school classrooms.

What exactly has NCERT launched for AI education?

According to multiple news reports, NCERT has developed and released an introductory AI module for Classes 9 to 12, formally described as a module on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence. The coverage spans four broad areas:

• Artificial Intelligence basics — an introductory, non-specialist grounding in what AI is.
• Computational thinking — structured problem-solving and logical reasoning skills taught through a computing lens.
• Ethical use of AI — the module is explicitly designed to focus on how AI should be used responsibly.
• Deepfakes — media created or manipulated with AI is specifically called out as a teaching focus.

The framing across the reports is consistent: the module is an introductory-level starting point for teenagers, not an advanced coding course, with ethics treated as a core theme rather than an afterthought.

Which classes are covered?

The module targets students in Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 — in other words, the entire senior secondary span. It is described as an introductory module rather than a full academic subject, which suggests it is intended to familiarise students with AI and computational thinking before they specialise in higher studies.

Why are ethics and deepfakes at the centre of the NCERT AI module?

NCERT’s choice to foreground ethical use and deepfakes reflects concerns that young people increasingly encounter AI-generated content online. A deepfake is media — typically video, audio or images — manipulated or fabricated with AI to show people saying or doing things that never happened. By teaching students to recognise deepfakes and to think critically about how AI is used, the module aims to build digital literacy alongside technical awareness. The reports do not state whether the module includes hands-on detection exercises, formal assessments, or guidance for teachers, so those details remain unconfirmed.

What did the minister admit about government school textbooks?

In a separate controversy, an education minister — identified in reports as Saurabh Bharadwaj — admitted that government school textbooks being distributed are smaller than standard NCERT books. The headlines do not clarify which state or school system the comment refers to, what caused the size difference, whether the smaller textbooks contain reduced content, or whether any corrective action will follow. What is confirmed is only the admission itself and the comparison: the distributed textbooks are smaller than the standard NCERT books.

What details remain unconfirmed?

Because the available reports are headline-level, several specifics about the NCERT AI module — and about the textbook-size admission — remain unconfirmed:

What role does NCERT play in everyday schooling?

For families, NCERT is best known for the textbooks that CBSE and many state-board students use from Class 1 through Class 12. Its frameworks also shape teaching methods, evaluation approaches and classroom resources across government schools under national programmes. A module such as the new AI and Computational Thinking course travels through a wide pipeline: NCERT develops it, boards and states integrate it into syllabi, and teachers deliver it in classrooms. Likewise, the quality bar set by NCERT textbooks becomes the benchmark — which is why a minister’s admission that distributed government school textbooks are smaller than NCERT standards attracted attention.

What would parents and teachers want clarified next?

The natural follow-up questions are practical ones: Is the AI module part of the assessed curriculum or an enrichment activity? How will schools without subject-specialist teachers deliver it? And in the textbook matter, will the government reprint or replace the smaller copies? Until official NCERT or ministry communications answer these, the confirmed picture is limited to the module’s existence, its target classes, its ethical and deepfake focus, and the minister’s admission about textbook size.

In short, NCERT is simultaneously pushing Indian classrooms forward with responsible AI education for senior secondary students — and fielding scrutiny over the basics, as officials acknowledge that some distributed government school textbooks fall short of NCERT’s own standard book sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new NCERT module for Classes 9–12?

NCERT has released an introductory module on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence for Classes 9 to 12. It covers AI basics at a non-specialist level and focuses strongly on the ethical use of AI, including deepfakes. Details such as syllabus length, assessment format and whether it is mandatory have not been specified in the news reports.

Does the NCERT AI module teach students about deepfakes?

Yes. Multiple news reports state that the NCERT module on Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking for Classes 9 to 12 focuses on ethical AI usage, with deepfakes explicitly named as an area of focus. The reports do not confirm whether the module includes practical detection exercises or how the topic is assessed.

Which classes does the NCERT AI module target?

The module is designed for students in Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 — the full senior secondary range. It is described as an introductory module on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence rather than a full academic subject, making it a foundational exposure before students specialise later.

Why is there criticism about government textbook sizes?

Education minister Saurabh Bharadwaj admitted that government school textbooks being distributed are smaller than standard NCERT books. The reports do not identify which state or school system is affected, what the exact dimensions are, whether content was reduced, or whether the government will reprint or replace the copies.

When was the NCERT AI module released?

The headlines confirm that NCERT has developed and released the AI and Computational Thinking module for Classes 9 to 12, but they do not state the exact release date, the number of lessons, or whether the module carries board exam weightage. Official NCERT communications would be needed for those specifics.

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Rohan Menon

Rohan Menon covers business, personal finance, markets, startups and economic developments. He breaks down complex financial and business topics into clear, easy-to-understand stories for a general audience.

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