NCERT: NCERT may be granted deemed university status; a decision could be made by the end of January..

NCERT: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to be granted deemed-to-be university status soon. According to sources in the Ministry of Education, the necessary preparations have been completed, and a final decision is expected by the end of January 2026.

Sources said that only formal approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) is now pending. A senior official stated, “The preparations are complete. The decision will be taken at the next UGC meeting. We expect the situation to be clear by the end of the month.”

It is noteworthy that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had announced in 2023 that NCERT would be developed into a research university. He stated that this would provide NCERT with new opportunities for collaboration with academic institutions globally and give India's education system international recognition.
NCERT's Role and Scope
NCERT is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education that plays a crucial role in improving the quality of school education. Its key responsibilities include curriculum development, textbook publication, educational research, and teacher training.

After receiving deemed university status, NCERT will be able to expand its in-house research programs and function as a full-fledged research university. According to sources, the institution will continue to receive financial assistance primarily from the Department of School Education and Literacy.

Authority to Grant Degrees
Deemed university institutions recognized under the UGC Act, 1956, enjoy academic autonomy. Currently, there are approximately 145 deemed universities in the country. The first institution to receive this status was the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in 1958, while Tamil Nadu has the highest number of such institutions. If NCERT receives this status, it will be able to award undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.

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