UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Education must change to account for AI

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the institutional architecture of Artificial Intelligence in Indian school education: 1. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023 was released by the Union Education Minister, whereas the 15-hour AI skill module offered from Class VI onwards is a CBSE offering. 2. The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative, covering students of Classes 6-12 as well as educators, was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and not by the Ministry of Education. 3. The Curriculum on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence for Classes III-VIII, to be implemented from the session 2026-27, was released by the NCERT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023 was released by the Union Education Minister, whereas the 15-hour AI skill module offered from Class VI onwards is a CBSE offering.
  2. The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative, covering students of Classes 6-12 as well as educators, was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and not by the Ministry of Education.
  3. The Curriculum on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence for Classes III-VIII, to be implemented from the session 2026-27, was released by the NCERT.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Which one of the following documents first formally identified Artificial Intelligence as a priority skill area for Indian school and higher education, with subsequent frameworks only operationalising it into curricula?

  • A. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023
  • B. The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage, 2022
  • C. The National Education Policy, 2020
  • D. The National Policy on Education, 1986, as modified in 1992

Q3. Which one of the following was the first class in which the Central Board of Secondary Education introduced Artificial Intelligence as a subject, in the academic session 2019-20?

  • A. Class VI
  • B. Class VIII
  • C. Class IX
  • D. Class XI

Q4. In the CBSE Curriculum on Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence for Classes III to VIII, the expression 'AI-ready learners' denotes learners who have -

  • A. attained the ability to write and debug machine-learning code in at least one programming language before entering Class IX
  • B. qualified in the optional Artificial Intelligence subject examination prescribed for Classes IX to XII
  • C. acquired capacities such as logical thinking, problem solving and pattern recognition, along with an understanding of the role and use of AI in daily life
  • D. completed the 45-hour 'AI for Educators' module prescribed under the SOAR initiative

Q5. Which one of the following statements about the bodies that operationalise Artificial Intelligence initiatives in Indian school education is correct?

  • A. The National Council of Educational Research and Training conducts the Class X and Class XII board examinations for all schools in the country.
  • B. The CBSE has made the 15-hour AI skill module a compulsory examination subject for every student from Class I onwards.
  • C. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023 was issued exclusively by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • D. The NCERT has used AI and machine-learning tools to translate Grade 1-2 textbooks into 22 Indian languages.

Q6. The NCERT has principally embedded dedicated Artificial Intelligence content in the textbooks of which one of the following?

  • A. Class IX Mathematics and Science
  • B. Class XI Computer Science and Informatics Practices
  • C. Class XII Business Studies and Economics
  • D. Class VI Science and Social Science

Q7. UNESCO's twin AI Competency Frameworks - one for students and one for teachers - were released on the occasion of which one of the following?

  • A. The Transforming Education Summit convened at United Nations Headquarters
  • B. The Internet Governance Forum session held at Kyoto, Japan
  • C. Digital Learning Week 2024, an annual flagship event of UNESCO
  • D. The World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development at Berlin