The Goa government has unveiled its Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026, a three-year roadmap that proposes making core AI learning compulsory for schoolchildren and expanding AI training across higher education and government services.
Compulsory AI in schools and multilingual curriculum
Under the policy — which covers the period 2026–29 — the teaching of AI fundamentals is proposed to be introduced as a compulsory subject for students from Class 6 to Class 12, beginning in the 2027–28 academic year. The curriculum is intended to align with the National Curriculum Framework 2023 and will support instruction in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English, according to the announcement reported.
The state plans to leverage existing infrastructure such as Atal Tinkering Labs to expand hands‑on learning, with the policy recommending the establishment of specialised AI laboratories in 50 government schools.
Teacher training and higher education measures
To prepare educators for the change, the policy proposes training 500 teachers in AI pedagogy. The training is slated to be delivered through partnerships with institutions including IIT Goa, the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and the State Institute of Education.
At the tertiary level, the policy recommends integrating AI and machine learning modules into undergraduate science and technology programmes from the 2027–28 academic year. It also envisages identifying candidates for national skilling initiatives and supporting research through fellowships.
| Measure | Target / Start |
|---|---|
| AI labs in government schools | 50 schools |
| Teachers to be trained | 500 |
| AI certified professionals by 2030 | 50,000 |
| Doctoral fellowships per year | 10 |
Workforce targets, gender inclusion and government certification
The policy sets an ambitious workforce goal: to train and certify 50,000 AI professionals by 2030 through collaborations with bodies such as NASSCOM and NIELIT. In a deliberate push for gender balance, the state expects women to make up at least 25 per cent of that cohort.
For public servants, the policy recommends mandatory AI certification under the YUVA AI for All programme delivered via the iGoT Karmayogi platform, signalling the state’s aim to mainstream basic AI literacy across its administrative ranks.
Linking school-to-research pathway
Beyond school and undergraduate instruction, the policy outlines measures to funnel talent into national skill programmes and research opportunities. It proposes selecting 50 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate students each year for the IndiaAI FutureSkills programme over a three‑year span, and offering 10 doctoral fellowships annually through partnerships with IIT Goa and NIT Goa to bolster research capacity.
- AI fundamentals compulsory for Classes 6–12 from 2027–28.
- AI laboratories planned in 50 government schools.
- Target to certify 50,000 AI professionals by 2030, with women forming at least 25%.
- 500 teachers to receive AI pedagogy training through IIT Goa, NPTEL and State Institute of Education.
The policy sets out a three‑year implementation framework focusing on skills development, industry engagement, investment, infrastructure and the responsible use of AI, the reported document says. It explicitly links school-level interventions to higher education and research, signalling a state strategy to build a pipeline from early learning to doctoral study.
Context and implications for Goa
For a small state with a high literacy rate and a tourism‑driven economy, the policy represents a bid to diversify human capital and prepare younger cohorts for a technology‑centred job market. By embedding AI instruction across languages used in schools and committing resources to teacher training and labs, the state aims to make foundational AI concepts widely accessible rather than confined to urban or elite institutions.
Implementation will depend on timely roll‑out of infrastructure, availability of trained teachers and close coordination with higher education partners. The proposal to certify government officers may accelerate administrative familiarity with AI tools, but it will also require clear curricula and assessment standards to be effective.
As Goa moves to operationalise the policy in the coming academic cycles, observers will watch for details on funding, timelines and the selection criteria for fellowship and skilling programmes. The target metrics — especially the goal of 50,000 certified professionals by 2030 — will be a key benchmark for evaluating the policy’s reach and impact.
