NCERT Updates: The Education Ministry has declared NCERT, New Delhi, an Institution Deemed to be a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The decision followed an expert committee assessment by UGC under the 2023 regulations.
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The UGC committee recommended the status, and the Ministry issued a notification on March 30, 2026. NCERT must now begin research, doctoral and innovative academic programmes, strengthening its academic role and contribution to educational research and innovation.
UGC Expert Committee Recommended Deemed University Status
The UGC examined NCERT’s application through an Expert Committee in accordance with the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023. Following an overall assessment, the committee recommended granting NCERT, New Delhi, Institution Deemed to be University status. The Ministry of Education subsequently accepted the UGC’s advice and issued the notification under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
NCERT Gets New Academic Responsibilities
The deemed university status comes with specific conditions for NCERT. The institution has been directed to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes, doctoral programmes and innovative academic programmes. These initiatives are expected to expand NCERT’s academic and research activities while complementing its existing responsibilities in curriculum development, teacher education and educational research.
New Status to Strengthen Research and Innovation
According to the government, the new status will strengthen NCERT’s role in promoting educational research and innovation. It will also encourage collaboration with national and international agencies. NCERT will continue functioning as a national resource institution and think tank, providing technical support and expertise to the Central Government and State Governments on education-related matters.