Punjab Introduces AI as a Mainstream School Subject
Education / Science and Technology / Governance · Saturday, 25 July 2026
Punjab became the first Indian state to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII under the Sarbat.AI initiative. The programme aims to build AI-literate, innovation-driven and ethically responsible students through a phased curriculum and large-scale teacher training.
Quick highlights
- Punjab launched Sarbat.AI as India’s first statewide initiative to make AI a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII.
- Phase I covers Classes VIII-XII through the Computer Science curriculum, followed by Classes I-VII.
- The curriculum draws on practices from Singapore, Finland, the UAE and the US and is aligned with UNESCO’s Ethical AI Framework.
- The programme uses live online classes, recorded lectures, project-based learning, continuous assessments and an LMS.
- It will benefit 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students.
- 12,424 Computer Science teachers will be initially trained and over 2 lakh teachers will be progressively upskilled.
Context
Punjab became the first Indian state to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream school subject from Classes I to XII under the Sarbat.AI initiative.
Key Facts
Sarbat.AI integrates AI into school curricula to provide future-ready technological skills. It will begin with Classes VIII-XII through Computer Science and later extend to Classes I-VII with age-appropriate AI education. The programme covers 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students.
Significance
The initiative aims to build an AI-literate, innovation-driven and ethically responsible student community. It positions Punjab as a leader in AI-enabled school education while promoting access to advanced technologies across urban and rural schools.
Challenges / Way Forward
Effective implementation depends on teacher capacity building, digital learning systems, age-appropriate content and continuous assessment. The programme includes initial training for 12,424 Computer Science teachers and progressive upskilling of over 2 lakh teachers.
Exam Angle
Relevant for GS Paper II topics such as education policy, Digital India and human resource development, and GS Paper III topics such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, innovation, digital economy and skill development.
Remember this
- Punjab is the first Indian state to introduce AI as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII.
- The initiative is called Sarbat.AI.
- Phase I covers Classes VIII-XII through the Computer Science curriculum.
- The curriculum is aligned with UNESCO’s Ethical AI Framework.
- 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students are expected to benefit.
- 12,424 Computer Science teachers will be initially trained.
- Over 2 lakh teachers are to be progressively upskilled.