The Karnataka School Education Department has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) as a vocational subject for students of Classes 9 and 10 under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). The subject will be offered in place of a third-language option in selected government schools from the 2026-27 academic year.
The programme is being implemented through Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK) with the stated aim of giving students early exposure to emerging technologies and workplace-oriented skills. The initiative will focus on areas such as problem-solving, critical thinking, technical knowledge, and employability.
Karnataka AI vocational subject: 1,642 government schools covered
Following approval from the Project Approval Board, AI skill education will be introduced in 1,642 government high schools across Karnataka.
The schools covered under the programme include:
- 1,180 newly approved government high schools
- 381 schools already offering NSQF subjects
- 81 existing single-sector schools
In the 81 single-sector schools, vocational subjects currently offered in areas such as beauty and wellness, retail and apparel will be replaced with AI.
The NSQF programme is designed to integrate skill-based education with regular schooling and develop competencies that can be useful for further education and employment. Karnataka’s existing NSQF framework allows students in Classes 9 and 10 who opt for a vocational subject to be exempted from studying the third language.
AI classes to be conducted by guest teachers
To implement the programme, SSK has directed participating schools to appoint one AI guest teacher for the 2026-27 academic year.
The guest teachers will receive an honorarium of Rs 20,000 per month. A selection committee headed by the School Development and Monitoring Committee will oversee the recruitment process.
Candidates applying for the AI teaching positions must meet specified educational and experience requirements. They should have a bachelor’s degree in computer applications, computer science or information technology, or hold a diploma in computer science or information technology. A postgraduate diploma in computer applications is also among the accepted qualifications.
Candidates are additionally required to have at least one year of work experience and proficiency in both the local language and English.
Why Karnataka is introducing AI in Classes 9 and 10
The school education department has positioned AI within the vocational and skill education framework rather than treating it solely as an academic technology subject.
The programme is intended to help students develop skills that can be applied beyond the classroom. Problem-solving, critical thinking, technical understanding and employability are among the competencies identified for development through the initiative.
The move also provides students with an opportunity to continue studying AI-related skill courses at higher levels.
Third-language option becomes a point of debate
The introduction of AI has also triggered concerns among language teachers in Karnataka.
The Karnataka State High School Hindi Teachers’ Association has opposed the move and urged the education department to retain the existing three-language arrangement. The association has also raised concerns over the redeployment of third-language teachers from schools introducing AI.
The issue has emerged against the backdrop of broader changes to language education in Karnataka. The state government had earlier announced that the third-language paper in the SSLC examination would be graded rather than counted towards the final marks.
Karnataka government says there will be no teacher transfers
Responding to concerns from teachers, Rashmi V Mahesh said the AI programme would not result in transfers of third-language teachers. According to her, third-language teaching would continue in lower classes in flagship schools, while the AI course is being offered under the existing NSQF framework.
She also said private unaided schools could offer NSQF-recognised AI as a vocational course. The department’s position is that students can choose either an NSQF subject or a third language under the existing framework. The Karnataka government’s latest initiative therefore places AI within an already established vocational education structure rather than creating a separate academic stream for artificial intelligence.
