The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) announced on 27 February 2026 that it will introduce new AI and technology subjects into the Higher Secondary (Class 11–12) curriculum from the 2026–27 academic session.
New subjects under Council Assisted Courses (CAC):
- Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AIDS)
- Applied Artificial Intelligence (APAI)
- Cyber Security (CBST)
For CAC subjects, the Council will organise regular online classes beyond school hours for enrolled students, with district-level offline support where required. Schools may apply to offer these subjects based on prescribed criteria.
New subjects under Council Taught Courses (CTC) — project-based:
- Entrepreneurship and Related Legal Rights (ERLR)
- Intellectual Property Rights and Laws (IPRL)
- Indology (INDO)
- Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (SDGC)
Context — curriculum continuity: The WBCHSE had discontinued earlier AI and data science subjects introduced in the 2023–24 session (ARTI — Artificial Intelligence; DTSC — Data Science and Technology). The 2026–27 subjects represent revised, updated replacements with a hybrid delivery model (online + offline). Teaching will be delivered through online platforms (e.g. Zoom) supplemented by pre-recorded lectures; qualified subject experts will be engaged.
The subjects are elective, not compulsory — enrolled on the basis of student choice and school eligibility criteria.
Score rationale
- Dim 1: The WBCHSE HS curriculum adds formal, council-supervised AI subjects (AIDS, APAI) at the Class 11–12 level. This broadens the reach of AI education beyond the pilot programmes and NGO-led courses captured in the initial scoring. However, the subjects remain optional/elective and are not a binding mandate across all students or schools. Score stays at 1; the new curriculum strengthens the evidence base for the existing score.