The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently been granted the status of a “Deemed to be University” under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. The move marks a significant shift in India’s educational landscape, as NCERT will now be able to expand beyond its traditional role of curriculum development and school education research.
NCERT, established in 1961 as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education, has played a central role in shaping school education in India. It develops the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), prepares NCERT textbooks, conducts teacher training programmes, and undertakes educational research and policy support.
What is a “Deemed to be University”?
A deemed university is an institution that is granted university status by the Central Government on the advice of the UGC under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
Key features include:
- Autonomy in designing courses and syllabus.
- Authority to conduct examinations and award degrees.
- Freedom in academic and research activities.
- Mandatory compliance with UGC norms and standards.
Unlike regular universities, deemed universities are not established through a separate Act of Parliament or State Legislature.
Significance of the New Status
The new status allows NCERT to:
- Offer undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and research programmes.
- Expand into higher education and teacher education.
- Strengthen educational research and innovation.
- Collaborate with national and international institutions.
Further, NCERT must now participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), obtain NAAC accreditation, and implement the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), aligning it with the objectives of the National Education Policy.
Concerns and Challenges
Despite the advantages, concerns have been raised regarding NCERT’s institutional autonomy.
- Increased UGC oversight may affect NCERT’s flexibility in policymaking.
- Expansion into higher education could dilute its core focus on school education.
- Academic commercialisation concerns persist despite the non-profit clause.
There are also apprehensions that bureaucratic regulation may slow curriculum reforms and innovation.
Way Forward
The development presents an opportunity to transform NCERT into a premier multidisciplinary educational institution. However, maintaining a balance between autonomy and accountability will be essential. NCERT must continue prioritising quality school education while leveraging its new academic powers to improve teacher training, educational research, and policy innovation in India.
The move ultimately reflects India’s broader push toward institutional strengthening and holistic educational reforms under NEP 2020.