NCERT Likely to Get Deemed University Status by January 2026

NCERT Set for Major Institutional Upgrade

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), India’s premier body for school curriculum and textbook development, is likely to receive deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January 2026. Sources in the Ministry of Education indicate that preparatory work for the proposal is complete and it is now awaiting consideration in an upcoming meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

What NCERT Does Today

NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education with a clear focus on school education. Its core responsibilities include developing the National Curriculum Framework, producing textbooks used by central and several state boards, conducting educational research, and supporting teacher training initiatives. Despite its wide influence on classroom learning and national education policy, NCERT is not a higher education institution and does not award academic degrees.

What Deemed University Status Enables

In India, deemed-to-be-university status is granted under the UGC Act, 1956 to institutions that demonstrate academic excellence in a specialised area. Such status, approved on the recommendation of the UGC and the central government, allows institutions to design academic programmes, decide admission criteria, frame curricula, and award their own degrees at postgraduate and doctoral levels. At present, India has around 145 deemed universities across disciplines.

How NCERT’s Role Could Expand

If approved, NCERT would be empowered to function as a research-oriented institution with the authority to run structured higher education programmes and confer degrees. The proposal was first announced publicly by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in 2023, with the aim of strengthening education research and enabling global academic collaboration. Funding is expected to continue primarily through the Department of School Education and Literacy, ensuring that the expanded role remains aligned with school education outcomes.

Why the Decision Matters

Granting deemed university status to NCERT would mark a structural shift in India’s education architecture. It would integrate curriculum design, teacher education support, and formal research training within a single institution, potentially strengthening evidence-based policymaking and reshaping how national curriculum reforms are researched and evaluated.

Important 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 degrees.

• NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education focused on school education.

• The proposal to upgrade NCERT was announced in 2023 and awaits a UGC decision.