NCERT Granted Deemed University Status by Centre

The Union Education Ministry has officially declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an institution deemed to be a university, enabling it to offer academic programmes and confer degrees.

The decision follows approval by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in January 2026, based on recommendations of an expert committee.

Scope of the Notification: The deemed university status extends to:

• NCERT headquarters
• Its six Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs)

This move elevates NCERT from a curriculum and research body in school education to a full-fledged academic institution with degree-granting powers.

Key Conditions Imposed: The Ministry has laid down strict guidelines to ensure academic integrity:

• No commercial or profit-making activities
• All courses must comply with UGC norms and standards
• New programmes, including off-campus or offshore campuses, can be launched only with UGC approval

Academic Expansion Mandate: NCERT has been directed to:

• Start research and doctoral (PhD) programmes
• Introduce innovative and interdisciplinary courses
• Expand beyond emerging areas into broader domains aligned with the National Education Policy 2020

Institutional Reforms & Compliance: The notification also mandates:

• Participation in annual rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
• Creation of Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) accounts for students
• Digital storage of academic credits in academic lockers linked to the ABC portal

Significance: This development is a major step toward:

• Strengthening teacher education and school-level research
• Aligning NCERT with higher education frameworks
• Promoting multidisciplinary learning and academic flexibility

By granting deemed university status, the government aims to transform NCERT into a centre of excellence in education, research, and teacher training, consistent with the vision of NEP 2020.