Calicut University to build AI into all UG and PG courses
By TUF News Desk · Published 6 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
The University of Calicut is planning to put artificial intelligence into every undergraduate and postgraduate degree it offers. The Kerala university wants a full overhaul of its UG and PG curricula to build AI and foundational computing into mainstream programmes, rather than leaving them to specialised degrees alone.
Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran outlined the plan at an expert committee meeting on new-generation programmes and curriculum strategy in Kozhikode on Thursday, November 5, The Hindu reported. Official sources said the changes respond to rapid shifts in the job market and the growing number of students going abroad for higher education.
What the overhaul covers
An expert committee led by K. George Thomas, a former professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, is guiding the revision. Thomas said the overhaul will follow frameworks set by national and state academic bodies, including the Kerala State Higher Education Council, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
Also at the meeting were Syndicate members T.M. Vasudevan and A.K. Shahina Mol, K.P. Soman, Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and N. Mohammadali, Director of the College Development Council.
The reforms will use the university’s existing infrastructure and will not raise teachers’ current workload, Raveendran said. Implementation will follow approval from the Syndicate and the Academic Council.
New courses already approved for 28 colleges
The curriculum plan follows a separate government approval reported on November 4. The Kerala government has cleared new-generation courses in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, financial analytics and development economics from the 2027-28 academic year. Twenty-eight affiliated colleges across five districts have been allotted the courses, according to official sources.
A BSc Honours course in Artificial Intelligence, with 24 seats each, will run at Government Arts and Science College, Kondotty, in Malappuram; SARBTM Government College, Koyilandy; and Government Arts and Science College, Nadapuram, both in Kozhikode.
Four colleges have got approval for BSc in Applied Statistics with Data Science Honours, with 24 seats each: MES Keveeyem College, Valanchery; Thunchan Memorial Government College, Tirur; Government Arts and Science College, Meenchanda, Kozhikode; and Government College, Chittur, Palakkad. W.M.O. Arts and Science College, Muttil, in Wayanad will offer BSc in Cybersecurity Honours, and Government College, Thrithala, will run an MCom in Financial Analytics with 15 seats.
MOOCs in Malayalam and English
To deliver technical content without adding to faculty workload, the university will introduce Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Malayalam and English. Pro Vice-Chancellor P. Rasheed Ahammed said a repository of new courses prepared by the expert committee will be published by next month for affiliated colleges to evaluate and adopt.
The repository lets affiliated colleges pick programmes suited to their students instead of following one template for every campus. Students weighing these options can use our guide to choosing a university in India to compare what different institutions offer.
Calicut is not the only university rethinking its syllabus for the AI era. BITS Pilani recently revamped its undergraduate curriculum, Agra University has made AI and cybersecurity courses mandatory for undergraduates, and the UGC has been pushing SWAYAM MOOCs to widen access to higher education. Details of Calicut University’s programmes are available on the official University of Calicut website.
Frequently asked questions
When will AI become part of Calicut University courses?
The university plans to build AI and foundational computing into UG and PG curricula, and government-approved new-generation courses start in affiliated colleges from 2027-28. A repository of new courses is due by next month.
Which new AI courses has the Kerala government approved at Calicut University?
The government has approved courses including BSc Honours in Artificial Intelligence, BSc in Applied Statistics with Data Science, BSc in Cybersecurity and MCom in Financial Analytics across 28 affiliated colleges.
Will the AI curriculum overhaul increase teachers’ workload?
No. Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran said the reforms will use the university’s existing infrastructure and will not raise teachers’ current workload, with MOOCs in Malayalam and English helping deliver technical content.
Does the overhaul still need approval?
Yes. Implementation will follow approval from the university’s Syndicate and Academic Council.
Frequently asked questions
When will AI become part of Calicut University courses?
The university plans to build AI and foundational computing into UG and PG curricula, and government-approved new-generation courses start in affiliated colleges from 2027-28. A repository of new courses is due by next month.
Which new AI courses has the Kerala government approved at Calicut University?
The government has approved courses including BSc Honours in Artificial Intelligence, BSc in Applied Statistics with Data Science, BSc in Cybersecurity and MCom in Financial Analytics across 28 affiliated colleges.
Will the AI curriculum overhaul increase teachers' workload?
No. Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran said the reforms will use the university's existing infrastructure and will not raise teachers' current workload, with MOOCs in Malayalam and English helping deliver technical content.
Does the overhaul still need approval?
Yes. Implementation will follow approval from the university's Syndicate and Academic Council.
Sources: The Hindu, Elets digitalLEARNING