The Delhi government has rolled out a groundbreaking, city-wide program to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) education into its school curriculum, targeting students as young as ten years old. Named the 'Delhi AI Grind', this initiative makes AI awareness and skills training mandatory for lakhs of students across the capital's schools.
Program Structure and Mandatory Participation
The initiative is designed for students between the ages of 10 and 25 years. According to the official guidelines released by the Directorate of Education (DoE), participation is compulsory for students in classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. The program will be implemented across all educational districts of Delhi from December 2024 through March 2025.
In a circular dated December 3, the DoE stated that the Delhi AI Grind is a component of its broader New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision (NEEEV) plan. The primary goal is to boost AI-related awareness and equip students with the tools to tackle real-world challenges using artificial intelligence. The Department of Education, Higher and Technical Education is leading the project in partnership with the ViSV Foundation.
A Multi-Tiered Approach to AI Innovation
The program categorises participants into three distinct groups to cater to different age and skill levels. The largest segment, termed 'School Innovators' (ages 10–18), constitutes 60% of the target audience. This tier includes students from classes 6 to 12 and aims to foster curiosity, civic responsibility, and early exposure to AI and design thinking.
The second tier, 'Higher Education Institutions' (ages 18–25), makes up 39% of participants. This group is envisioned as the "core innovation engine," focusing on prototype development, venture creation, and interdisciplinary collaboration among university and ITI students. A final 1% is reserved for 'Open & Wildcard Innovators'—a category for independent freelancers, self-learners, and dropouts, aiming to capture unconventional talent regardless of age.
Detailed Timeline and Implementation
The DoE has released a strict schedule for schools to follow. All schools must register on the dedicated Delhi AI Grind website and nominate five student campus ambassadors by December 8. Following registration, school-level 'Mini Grind' sessions are scheduled to commence from December 15, leading to internal evaluations.
The program structure includes orientation sessions, school-level mini events, district-level evaluations, and a culminating city-level showcase. Mentoring support will be provided by School Innovation Councils (SICs) and designated NEEEV teachers. KS Upadhyay, the Additional Director of Education, has been appointed as the nodal officer for school-level coordination. Selected students will progress to compete at district and state levels.
Focus on Real-World Problem Solving
The curriculum is designed to be highly practical, guiding students to apply AI to contemporary issues. Key focus areas include transport and mobility, smart city services, sustainability, power and energy efficiency, air quality, climate change, public safety, health, and governance. This approach underscores the government's belief in AI's potential to modernise systems and solve civic challenges.
With this ambitious program, the Delhi government is taking a significant step toward future-proofing its youth, ensuring they are not just consumers of technology but active creators and problem-solvers in an AI-driven world.
