New Delhi, March 30:
In a significant move aimed at strengthening teacher education and academic research in India, the Ministry of Education has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be University under a distinct category.
The notification, issued by the Department of Higher Education, states that the decision was taken under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, based on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and its expert committee. The declaration follows the successful compliance of conditions outlined in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued to NCERT in August 2023.
Under this new status, NCERT, headquartered in New Delhi, along with its six constituent institutions—including Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal—will function as a higher education institution with expanded academic and research autonomy.
Key Conditions and Provisions
The government has laid down several conditions to ensure quality and transparency:
NCERT will not engage in any commercial or profit-making activities.
Academic programs must adhere strictly to UGC norms and standards.
New courses and off-campus centres can only be started as per UGC guidelines.
The institution must focus on research, doctoral, and innovative academic programs.
Mandatory accreditation by bodies like NAAC and NBA is required.
Admission processes and intake capacity must follow statutory regulations.
NCERT must participate in national rankings under the NIRF framework.
Additionally, NCERT has been directed to establish an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and ensure students’ academic credits are digitally recorded and integrated with national platforms.
Focus on Research and Innovation
The move is expected to boost research in emerging areas of education and enhance the quality of teacher training programs across the country. The Ministry emphasized alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to create a more flexible, multidisciplinary, and research-driven higher education ecosystem.
Administrative Directions
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to key bodies including the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, NCERT, and other relevant authorities for implementation and further action.
Officials stated that this decision marks a major step toward elevating NCERT’s role from a curriculum and advisory body to a full-fledged academic and research institution, potentially reshaping the future of school education and teacher training in India.
