21st Century Skills
CBSE groups them in three sets, the “3 L’s”: Learning skills, Literacy skills and Life skills. CBSE itself says the list isn’t complete, so treat it as a strong starting point.
Learning skills
The “4 Cs”: how you think and work with others.
- Critical thinking and problem solving
Checking facts, weighing evidence and changing your mind when the evidence is better.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add debate or MUN →- Pick a claim from an ad and check it.
- Join a debate or quiz club.
- Creativity and innovation
Making new things and finding new ways to solve old problems.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a project →- Build one small project of your own this term.
- Enter a science fair or design challenge.
- Collaboration
Working in a team: sharing work, keeping promises, giving credit.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a club or team →- Run a group project with a shared task list.
- Play a team sport or join a club.
- Communication
Speaking and writing so others understand you the first time.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a talk or role →- Present once in class.
- Write a short blog post or school magazine piece.
Literacy skills
Called “IMT”: finding, judging and using information, media and technology.
- Information literacy
Finding good information and telling a reliable source from a weak one.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a research project →- For your next assignment, use at least one official or government source.
- Always note where a fact came from.
- Media literacy
Understanding how news, ads and videos are made to persuade you.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add media work →- Watch an ad twice: once for fun, once asking what it wants you to do.
- Make a short video and notice your own choices.
- Technology literacy
Using digital tools well: documents, spreadsheets, basic coding, AI tools used honestly.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a course →- Make a budget in a spreadsheet.
- Try a free beginner coding course.
- Use AI tools to check your work, not to do it for you.
Life skills
Called “FLIPS”: how you manage yourself and work with people over time.
- Flexibility and adaptability
Adjusting when plans change, and trying again a different way.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a short reflection →- When a plan fails, write one thing you'll do differently next time.
- Leadership and responsibility
Helping a group reach a goal, without needing a title to do it.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a leadership role →- Organise one event, drive or club meeting from start to finish.
- Initiative and self-direction
Starting things yourself instead of waiting to be told.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a project →- Start a small project, club or fundraiser of your own.
- Productivity and accountability
Finishing what you start, on time, to a good standard.
Try this weekShow it in your portfolio: Add a short reflection →- Set one deadline for yourself this week and meet it.
A word on AI tools
Using AI well is now part of technology literacy. Use it to explain, quiz you and check your work. Don't hand in its work as yours: check your school's rules, and remember the skill is only yours if you did the thinking.
Sources · checked 17/10/2026
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