New Delhi, Apr 4 (APAC Media): In a significant development for India’s education sector, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted the status of a deemed-to-be university by the Union Education Ministry.
The decision enables NCERT to offer academic programmes and confer degrees.
The move follows the approval of recommendations by the University Grants Commission (UGC) earlier this year, which supported granting deemed university status to NCERT. Along with its headquarters, six regional institutes of NCERT will also come under this new designation, subject to specific conditions.
According to the notification, NCERT is barred from engaging in commercial or profit-driven activities. All its academic programmes must strictly adhere to norms and standards set by the UGC and relevant statutory bodies. Additionally, any new courses, including those offered through off-campus or offshore centres, must comply with UGC guidelines.
The Education Ministry has also directed NCERT to expand its academic scope. It has been encouraged to introduce research, doctoral, and innovative programmes, while diversifying into emerging and other relevant fields in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020.
Further, NCERT is now required to participate in annual rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It must also implement the Academic Bank of Credits system, ensuring students’ academic records are digitally stored and accessible through official platforms.
The decision is expected to strengthen NCERT’s role in shaping teacher education, curriculum development, and educational research.
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