NCERT Set for Deemed University Status by January-End

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), best known for shaping school curricula and producing textbooks, is likely to receive deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January 2026. Sources in the Ministry of Education have indicated that preparatory work is complete and the proposal is now awaiting consideration in an upcoming University Grants Commission (UGC) meeting.

What NCERT Does Today

NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education with a school-focused mandate. It develops the National Curriculum Framework, prepares textbooks used by central and several state boards, conducts educational research, and supports teacher training. Despite its influence on classroom learning and policy, NCERT is not a degree-awarding body and does not operate as a higher education institution.

What Deemed University Status Enables

In India, deemed-to-be-university status is granted under the UGC Act, 1956 to institutions that demonstrate academic strength in a specific area, based on UGC recommendation and central government approval. Deemed universities enjoy academic autonomy to design programmes, set admissions criteria, frame curricula, and award their own degrees, including at postgraduate and doctoral levels. Reports note India has around 145 deemed universities.

How NCERT’s Role Could Expand

If approved, NCERT would be positioned to function as a research-focused institution with the authority to run structured higher education programmes and confer degrees. The move was first publicly outlined by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in 2023, with an emphasis on strengthening education research and enabling global academic collaboration. Funding is expected to continue primarily through the Department of School Education and Literacy, signalling that the expanded mandate would remain closely anchored to school education outcomes and policy needs.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Deemed university status is granted under the UGC Act, 1956 with UGC recommendation and central approval.
• Deemed universities can design courses, set admission rules, and award their own degrees.
• NCERT is currently an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education focused on school curriculum and textbooks.
• The proposal to upgrade NCERT was announced in 2023 and is now awaiting a UGC decision.

Why the Decision Matters for Education Policy

Granting NCERT deemed university status would mark a structural shift in India’s education architecture by combining curriculum design, teacher education support, and formal research training under one institutional umbrella. It could deepen in-house capacity for evidence-based policy, expand specialised training in pedagogy and assessment, and potentially reshape how national curriculum reforms are researched, piloted, and evaluated over time.