Punjab government schools make Computer Science an AI course for Classes 8-12

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has upgraded the Computer Science subject taught in Punjab's government schools to "Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) Basic" for Classes 8 to 12, from the current 2026-27 academic session, under a circular dated October 21, 2026, according to reports. Questions on artificial intelligence (AI) will carry 15% of the marks in the subject. Computer science teachers in state government schools were given until Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to complete five hours of online AI training before teaching the new content, according to a report from Jalandhar.

What changes now: students in Punjab's government schools from Class 8 onwards will meet AI as part of their regular computer subject, and it will count towards their marks. A portion of the syllabus, worth 15% of the subject's marks, will test what students learn about AI, which means teachers will have to cover it seriously rather than treat it as an extra.

What was there before: the subject was taught as Computer Science, without a separately marked AI component. In July 2026, the state launched Sarbat.AI, a programme to bring AI education into schools from Class 1 to Class 12 in stages, with the higher classes first. The October circular puts that plan into the exam system for Classes 8 to 12. Private technology partners, including Google, Intel and Canva, are supporting teacher training and AI literacy under the programme, while a firm named Neeev AI oversees the technology rollout, according to reports from July.

Teachers are central to whether this works. A five-hour online course is a short introduction, and the larger plan to train more than 12,400 computer science teachers, and later over 2 lakh teachers across subjects, will decide how well the material is taught in classrooms.

What comes next: the AI content is to be taught in the 2026-27 session, and students will be examined on the AI component as part of the subject. The programme's later stages are meant to extend AI lessons to primary and middle classes.

For parents and students: AI questions will be part of the computer subject's assessment, so students should ask their teachers which chapters are new and how the 15% will be tested in theory and practicals.

Short-term: Computer science teachers in government schools begin teaching AI topics this session, and students in Classes 8 to 12 will be examined on them.

Long-term: If the rollout succeeds, students from government schools will gain a basic understanding of AI before college or work. Its success depends on teacher training and on schools having working computers and internet.

Who is affected: Students in Classes 8 to 12 in Punjab's government schools and their parents; more than 12,400 computer science teachers; the Punjab School Education Board; and the technology partners supporting the programme.

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