NCERT Gets Deemed University Status, Expands Role in Higher Education
The move will allow the National Council of Educational Research and Training to offer degree programmes and strengthen research and teacher education.
NEW DELHI, Aug 11: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted the status of an Institution Deemed to be University under a distinct category, marking a major expansion of its role in India’s education sector. The development was highlighted in fresh education-related updates on Tuesday.
The new status enables NCERT to independently offer academic programmes and award degrees, while continuing its core responsibilities related to school education, curriculum development and educational research.
The decision was taken by the Union Ministry of Education on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC). NCERT’s application for the new status was examined by an expert committee before receiving approval.
With the university designation, NCERT can expand its academic activities across diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. It is also expected to strengthen specialised programmes and research in education.
The move is aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its emphasis on improving teacher preparation, educational research and multidisciplinary learning.
NCERT’s six constituent institutions, including its Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Shillong, as well as the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal, are covered under the new framework.
The enhanced academic mandate is expected to give NCERT a greater role in developing research-based approaches to teaching and learning and in preparing professionals for the education sector.
