NCERT
The National Council of Educational Research and Training has been granted the status of a deemed-to-be university by the Ministry of Education, following recommendations from the University Grants Commission. This move marks a significant development in India’s education sector, as it empowers NCERT to award its own academic degrees and expand its overall academic and research scope.
With this new status, NCERT will no longer remain limited to its traditional role of curriculum development and teacher training. Instead, it will now be able to design and offer a wider range of academic programmes, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses. The Ministry has also directed NCERT to take the necessary steps to begin research programmes, along with doctoral and other innovative academic initiatives, in line with its upgraded institutional role.
The decision also brings NCERT’s six constituent institutions under the deemed university framework. These include the Regional Institutes of Education located in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, along with the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal. These institutions will now function under the new status, enabling them to align more closely with NCERT’s expanded academic vision.
According to the Ministry, the process for granting this status involved the submission of an online application through the UGC portal under a distinct category. The proposal was carefully reviewed, and the recommendations of the UGC Expert Committee were duly considered and approved by the Commission before the final decision was made. This reflects a structured and formal evaluation process behind the recognition.
NCERT has been recognised under the “De Novo” category, which is reserved for institutions that focus on emerging and unique areas of knowledge not widely offered by existing universities. This classification allows such institutions to develop specialized academic programmes and promote research in new and evolving fields. Reports indicate that the Centre had approved the idea of granting this status to NCERT under the De Novo category nearly three years ago, highlighting that the move has been in the pipeline for some time.
At present, the courses offered by NCERT’s Regional Institutes of Education are affiliated with various universities across the country. These include Barkatullah University, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, University of Mysore, Utkal University, and North-Eastern Hill University. With the new deemed university status, NCERT is expected to gradually move away from such affiliations and establish its own independent academic framework.
Overall, this development is expected to strengthen NCERT’s role in shaping India’s education system. By gaining the authority to award degrees and conduct advanced research, the institution is likely to contribute more directly to teacher education, curriculum innovation, and academic research. The move aligns with broader efforts to enhance the quality and autonomy of key educational institutions in the country, while also promoting excellence in teaching and learning.
conclusion, the grant of deemed-to-be university status to the National Council of Educational Research and Training marks a major step in strengthening India’s education system. Approved by the Ministry of Education on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission, this move gives NCERT the authority to award its own degrees and expand into research and advanced academic programmes. By bringing its constituent institutions under a unified framework and reducing dependence on external affiliations, the decision is expected to enhance academic autonomy, improve teacher education, and promote innovation. Overall, it positions NCERT as a more dynamic and influential institution in shaping the future of education in India.
Also read: Reshaping India’s Education System: Challenges, Reforms, and the Road Ahead
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