The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been given deemed-to-be university status by the Centre. This means it can now award its own degrees and offer more courses.
The Ministry of Education approved this decision on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is an important step to improve teacher education and research in India.
With this new status, NCERT can expand its courses, focus on new areas of education and research, and have more freedom to make academic decisions.
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What the new status means
The deemed university status allows NCERT to design and run its own courses, award degrees, and introduce new academic programmes. This will reduce its dependence on affiliated universities. It also opens doors for more specialised research and innovation in education, helping NCERT play a bigger role in shaping India’s learning system.
Institutions under NCERT
The new status covers NCERT and its six constituent institutions, including Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Shillong. It also includes the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal, bringing all these institutions under the deemed-to-be university framework.
What is De Novo category?
NCERT has been recognised under the ‘De Novo’ (not ‘De Nova’) category, meant for institutions working in unique and emerging areas not widely available elsewhere. This category supports innovation and allows institutions to develop new fields of study, especially in education and training.
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De Novo status and future plans
According to PTI reports, three years ago, the Centre had approved giving NCERT deemed-to-be-university status under the 'De Novo' category. A De Novo deemed university is allowed to apply to the UGC to become a deemed university and focus on research and studies in new areas not offered by other institutions.
The Ministry said that the UGC Expert Committee’s recommendation was reviewed and approved. It has also directed NCERT to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes, as well as doctoral and innovative academic courses.
Currently, the courses at NCERT’s Regional Institutes of Education are affiliated with local universities such as Barkatullah University in Bhopal, M D S University in Ajmer, University of Mysuru, Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, and North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong.
This change is expected to make NCERT more active and independent in creating courses and doing research. It will also improve teacher education and encourage new ideas, helping students and teachers all over India.
