NCERT Granted Deemed University Status, Now Under UGC Purview
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is now a deemed-to-be-university, allowing it to grant degrees.
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The central government has granted the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) the status of a 'deemed-to-be-university'.
This move brings NCERT under the regulatory framework of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
As a deemed university, NCERT can now offer its own graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
The decision is expected to enhance educational research and teacher training programs.
The new status aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The decision was announced by Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.
NCERT director, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, mentioned that the council is reviewing its textbooks and syllabus in accordance with NEP 2020 guidelines.
The new status will allow NCERT to develop its own curriculum and conduct examinations.
It will facilitate collaborations with national and international universities and research institutions.
The UGC will oversee NCERT's academic standards and ensure compliance with regulations applicable to deemed universities.
Key Dates
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NCERT Deemed University Status: Key Implications
This dashboard highlights the immediate impact of NCERT being granted deemed-to-be-university status.
- Regulatory Body
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Degree Offering Capability
- Graduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral Degrees
- Alignment with Policy
- NEP 2020
NCERT will now operate under UGC's framework, ensuring quality and standards in its academic programs.
NCERT can now award its own degrees, boosting research and advanced training in education.
The move is expected to enhance educational research and teacher training programs in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
Mains & Interview Focus
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The central government's decision to grant deemed-to-be-university status to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) marks a pivotal shift in India's educational governance. Historically, NCERT functioned primarily as an advisory body, developing curricula and textbooks for school education. This new status fundamentally alters its operational scope, bringing it under the regulatory ambit of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and enabling it to award its own graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
This move directly implements key recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly those emphasizing enhanced educational research and teacher training. By becoming a degree-granting institution, NCERT can now directly influence the quality of teacher education programs, which has long been a critical bottleneck in India's schooling system. It can develop specialized courses, conduct advanced research, and foster a more robust academic environment for educational studies.
However, this expansion of mandate also presents significant challenges. NCERT must carefully balance its traditional role in school curriculum development with its new responsibilities as a higher education institution. Maintaining focus on foundational school education, while simultaneously building capacity for advanced research and degree programs, will require substantial resource allocation and strategic planning. The potential for mission creep, where the core mandate of school education is diluted, remains a concern.
Furthermore, the integration into the UGC framework necessitates adherence to higher education standards and regulations, which differ from those governing school education bodies. This transition demands a robust internal restructuring within NCERT to ensure compliance and academic rigor in its new degree programs. The success of this initiative will hinge on NCERT's ability to attract top talent, secure adequate funding, and establish credible academic programs that complement, rather than detract from, its existing crucial functions.
Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Governance, Polity, Education Policy, Regulatory Bodies
GS Paper I: Social Issues, Education System Reforms
Understanding the implications of granting 'deemed university' status to a national body
Role of UGC and its regulatory framework
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Summary
The government has given NCERT, the body that creates school textbooks, the power to act like a university. This means NCERT can now offer its own college degrees, which should help improve how teachers are trained and how education research is done in India.
On March 30, 2026, the Union Ministry of Education formally declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) an institution “deemed to be university” under a distinct category, as per Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.
This declaration, following NCERT's application in September 2022 and a Letter of Intent issued in August 2023, significantly expands NCERT's mandate beyond school curriculum design. It enables the body to launch its own academic programmes, including doctoral and innovative courses, and award its own degrees. Previously, NCERT's six constituent units, including Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal, were affiliated with local universities for teacher training programmes.
The new status brings NCERT under the regulatory ambit of the UGC. Its academic programmes must conform to UGC norms and standards. NCERT is also mandated to implement mechanisms like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and seek accreditation from NAAC and NBA. The institution is barred from commercial or profit-making activities and must align with broader higher education frameworks.
This move, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to strengthen teacher education and educational research. It allows NCERT to establish off-campus and offshore centres following UGC guidelines. The development comes after an earlier proposal to grant NCERT the status of an “institution of national importance” was set aside.
This development is crucial for UPSC aspirants studying governance, education policy, and institutional reforms, relevant for GS Paper II (Governance, Polity) and GS Paper I (Social Issues).
Background
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established in 1961 to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. Its primary role has been to develop curriculum, textbooks, and teacher training materials.
Previously, NCERT's six constituent Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education were affiliated with various state universities. This affiliation meant they had to seek approval from these universities to introduce new courses or modify existing ones, limiting their autonomy in academic programme design.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, particularly Section 3, empowers the Central Government to declare an institution of higher learning as a "deemed to be university." This status grants the institution autonomy to award degrees, subject to UGC regulations, allowing it to function like a university while retaining its distinct identity.
Latest Developments
The decision to grant NCERT deemed university status was formalized on March 30, 2026, following a multi-stage process initiated with NCERT's application in September 2022. A Letter of Intent was issued in August 2023, requiring NCERT to meet conditions such as strengthening academic and research capacity.
NCERT submitted its compliance report in November 2025, which was accepted by a UGC expert committee in January 2026 and approved by the commission. This paves the way for NCERT to offer higher education programmes, including diploma, UG, PG, and doctoral levels, independently.
As a deemed university, NCERT must now adhere to UGC norms, participate in national rankings like NIRF, and seek accreditation from NAAC and NBA. It is also mandated to implement digital systems like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and is barred from commercial activities, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision for educational reform.
Sources & Further Reading
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the recent grant of 'deemed to be university' status to NCERT: 1. The status was granted under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. 2. This allows NCERT to offer its own doctoral and innovative academic programmes. 3. All six constituent units of NCERT, including RIEs, were automatically granted this status along with the headquarters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct. The notification explicitly states that NCERT has been declared an institution deemed to be university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. Statement 2 is correct. The new status significantly expands NCERT's mandate, enabling it to launch academic programmes, including doctoral and innovative courses. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the declaration includes NCERT headquarters and its six constituent units, it is a declaration for the institution as a whole, not an automatic grant of status to each unit independently in the same manner as the headquarters. The notification declares 'National Council of Educational Research and Training... consisting of... six constituent units as an Institution deemed to be University'.
2. Which of the following is mandated for NCERT following its declaration as an institution 'deemed to be university'?
- A.Commercialisation of its educational content
- B.Participation in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
- C.Diversion of funds for profit-making ventures
- D.Discontinuation of teacher training programmes
Show Answer
Answer: B
The notification mandates that NCERT "shall participate in annual Indian rankings issued by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)". It is also barred from engaging in any commercial or profit-making activities (Option A and C are incorrect). Its core role in school curriculum design and teacher education is expected to continue and be strengthened, not discontinued (Option D is incorrect).
3. Before being granted 'deemed to be university' status, NCERT's constituent Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) were primarily affiliated with:
- A.Central Universities
- B.State Universities
- C.Deemed Universities
- D.Private Universities
Show Answer
Answer: B
The sources state that NCERT's six constituent Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) were affiliated with local universities across five states. These local universities are typically state universities. For example, Barkatullah University in Bhopal, MDS University in Ajmer, the University of Mysore, Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, and North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong were mentioned as affiliated universities.
Source Articles
NCERT gets deemed university status, bringing school body under UGC framework
After failing to get ‘National Importance’ status, NCERT vies for ‘deemed university’ tag | Education News - The Indian Express
NCERT gets deemed university status: Education Minister
About the Author
Anshul MannSocial Policy & Welfare Analyst
Anshul Mann writes about Social Issues at GKSolver, breaking down complex developments into clear, exam-relevant analysis.
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