Bharat Bodhan Education AI Conclave 2026 to Shape India’s School Education Roadmap

The Ministry of Education is laying the groundwork for a phased, nationwide rollout of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school education , with large-scale implementation expected to begin after 2026, officials said.

The roadmap was discussed during a coordination meeting chaired by Sanjay Javin, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) , to brief States and Union Territories on the vision and objectives of the proposed Bharat Bodhan Education AI Conclave 2026 .

Officials said AI is currently being used only in limited pilots and optional courses , with AI offered as an optional subject in Classes 9–12 by boards such as CBSE. However, there is no uniform, nationwide AI teaching programme across government schools at present.

According to the Ministry, the focus so far has been on AI “for” education rather than AI “as” a compulsory subject , using technology to support personalised learning, assessments, teacher assistance and school administration. Formal teaching of AI as a subject is being approached cautiously due to infrastructure gaps, shortage of trained teachers, curriculum load and concerns over data privacy and equity .

Officials indicated that the Centre is preparing a national framework and guidelines , with pilot projects likely to be expanded after the 2026 conclave. A gradual rollout from 2027 onwards is being considered to allow States sufficient time for teacher training and digital infrastructure upgrades.

The programme is expected to primarily cover government and government-aided schools in the initial phase, with no eligibility linked to student marks. The objective is to ensure inclusive access , particularly for rural and under-resourced regions, officials said.

Education experts estimate that an effective all-India rollout of AI in school education could require an investment of ₹25,000–₹40,000 crore over five to six years , largely for infrastructure development and teacher capacity building. Funding is likely to be routed through existing schemes such as Samagra Shiksha , supplemented by State contributions and public-private partnerships.

The upcoming Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave is expected to serve as a national platform for States to share best practices, challenges and policy inputs , helping shape India’s long-term strategy for responsible AI integration in school education.