The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the country’s national resource institution for school education, has been granted the status of an Institution Deemed to be University.The decision was taken after the University Grants Commission (UGC) examined NCERT’s application through an expert committee under the provisions of the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.The Ministry of Education declared NCERT, New Delhi, an Institution Deemed to be University on March 30, 2026, under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.The development was disclosed by Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 10.
UGC expert committee recommended NCERT’s application
According to the Ministry, NCERT’s application for deemed university status was examined by an expert committee constituted by the UGC.After an overall assessment, the committee recommended that NCERT be granted the status of an Institution Deemed to be University.The Ministry subsequently accepted the UGC’s advice and issued the notification granting the new status to NCERT.NCERT has been asked to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes.
New status to strengthen research role
The deemed university status is expected to strengthen NCERT’s role in educational research and innovation.The Ministry said the new status will also enable the institution to collaborate with national and international agencies.NCERT will further continue its role as a think tank and national resource institution, providing technical support to the Central Government as well as state governments.The move therefore gives NCERT a wider academic framework while reinforcing its existing role in educational research and policy support.NCERT is engaged in providing technical support to both the Central Government and state governments. With the new status, the institution is expected to further develop its work in educational research and innovation.
