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NCERT Set to Become Deemed University by January End, Boosting Research

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is expected to be granted deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January 2024, pending a final UGC meeting. This transformation, announced by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in 2023, will allow NCERT to function as a full-fledged research university and award its own graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. The autonomous body, which plays a central role in school education through curriculum and textbook development, will gain full academic autonomy to design courses and set admissions. This status is aimed at enhancing global collaborations and significantly expanding NCERT's role in India's higher education and research ecosystem.

Key Points: NCERT to Get Deemed University Status by January End

  • UGC meeting pending
  • Can award own degrees
  • Aims for global collaboration
  • Funded by School Education Dept
2 min read

NCERT to get Deemed University Status by January end

NCERT is set to become a deemed university by January 2024, enabling it to award degrees and expand research, as announced by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

"The preparation has been done. The UGC has to hold a meeting to make a decision. - Ministry of Education source"

By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, January 2

The National Council of Educational Research and Training is likely to be granted deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January, sources in the Ministry of Education told.

According to sources, the groundwork for granting the status has been completed, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) will hold a meeting to decide.

"The preparation has been done. The UGC has to hold a meeting to make a decision. We are hopeful that once the next meeting takes place, the update will come by the end of the month," a source said.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made the announcement to transform NCERT into a deemed university in 2023, while stating that NCERT's transition into a research university would open avenues for global collaborations and enable it to contribute more actively to the global educational landscape.

NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education and plays a central role in improving the quality of school education through curriculum development, textbook publication, educational research and teacher training.

Once accorded the status, NCERT will be able to initiate expanded in-house research programmes and function as a full-fledged research university.

Sources said the institution will be primarily funded by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education.

Universities in India are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which derives its powers from the UGC Act, 1956.

A deemed-to-be-university is a status granted to higher educational institutions that demonstrate excellence in a specific field of study, on the advice of the UGC and approval of the Central Government.

As per the UGC website, there are around 145 institutes with deemed university status

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was the first to receive the status in 1958, while Tamil Nadu has the highest number of deemed universities.

Institutions with deemed university status enjoy full academic autonomy, including the freedom to design courses, develop curricula, determine admissions criteria and fix fees.

With this status, NCERT will be able to award its own graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees, significantly expanding its role in India's higher education and research ecosystem.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the intent is good, I hope this doesn't lead to NCERT becoming just another bureaucratic university. The focus must remain on improving school-level pedagogy and teacher training, which is its core strength. Let's not lose sight of the grassroots.
R
Rohit P
Finally! This will give NCERT the autonomy it needs. Being able to award its own PhDs will attract top talent in educational research. Hope this translates into better, more contemporary textbooks for our kids soon.
S
Sarah B
Interesting development. As someone who collaborates with Indian institutions, this could open doors for more structured international research partnerships. The global educational landscape comment by the Minister is spot on.
V
Vikram M
Good move, but execution is key. Will the funding from the School Education department be sufficient for high-quality research? Also, hope the fee structure for any new courses remains accessible and doesn't become exorbitant.
K
Kavya N
As a teacher, I'm very hopeful. NCERT's DIETs (District Institutes of Education and Training) need a major upgrade. This status should funnel more resources and research into actual teacher development programs across states. Fingers crossed! 🙏

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