NCERT Poised to Gain Deemed University Status by End of January
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to receive the status of a deemed-to-be university before the end of January. According to officials familiar with the matter, all necessary groundwork has been completed, and a final decision is expected shortly.
Sources indicate that the only remaining step is formal approval during the next meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC). A senior official confirmed that preparations are fully in place, stating that the upcoming UGC session will determine the outcome. The official added that clarity is expected by the end of the month.
Background and Earlier Announcement
The push for this upgrade dates back to 2023, when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced plans to develop NCERT into a full-fledged research university. The minister had emphasized that this transformation would open up new avenues for collaboration with academic institutions worldwide and enhance the international standing of India’s education system.
Expanded Role for NCERT
NCERT operates as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education and has long been central to improving school education across the country. Its core responsibilities include designing curricula, publishing textbooks, conducting educational research, and training teachers.
Once granted deemed university status, NCERT will be able to significantly broaden its in-house research initiatives and function as a complete research-focused university. Officials note that the institution will continue to receive its primary financial backing from the Department of School Education and Literacy, ensuring operational stability during the transition.
Authority to Award Degrees
Deemed universities recognized under the UGC Act of 1956 enjoy considerable academic autonomy. At present, India has approximately 145 such institutions. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) became the country’s first deemed university back in 1958, while Tamil Nadu currently hosts the highest number of these institutions.
If NCERT secures this status, it will gain the authority to grant undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. This marks a significant step in the institution’s evolution from a research and training council into a degree-granting academic body with a broader mandate.
The move is widely seen as part of a larger effort to modernize India’s educational framework and strengthen the link between curriculum development and higher education research. Once the UGC gives its nod, NCERT is expected to begin offering academic programs that align with its existing expertise in school education, pedagogy, and teacher training.
Stakeholders in the education sector are closely watching the development, as the change could influence how educational research is conducted and applied in the country. The decision, when announced, is expected to set a new direction for NCERT and potentially serve as a model for similar institutions in the future.
