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NCERT Likely to Get Deemed University Status Soon
  • UGC to take a final call on NCERT’s deemed university status.
  • NCERT may soon award UG, PG, and PhD degrees.
  • Move aims to strengthen education research and teacher training.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to receive deemed-to-be-university status, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) expected to take a final decision soon. According to sources in the Ministry of Education, the groundwork for the proposal is complete, and an official announcement could come by the end of the month.

Sources said the UGC will hold a meeting to review the proposal and make a formal recommendation. Once approved, the status will require clearance from the central government before it becomes official. “The preparation has been done, and we are hopeful of a decision after the next UGC meeting”, the sources added.

Deemed university status is granted to institutions that show academic excellence in specific fields. Currently, India has about 145 deemed universities. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, was the first to receive this recognition, while Tamil Nadu has the highest number of such institutions.

If approved, NCERT will gain the authority to offer its own undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. This would mark a major shift for the institution, which currently functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education without degree-awarding powers.

NCERT plays a central role in India’s education system through curriculum design, textbook development, educational research, and teacher training. With deemed university status, it will be able to expand its in-house research capabilities and operate as a full-fledged research-focused university.

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The move is expected to boost teacher education, academic research, and policy-driven studies, further strengthening NCERT’s influence in shaping India’s school education framework. Education experts believe the decision could help align research, training, and curriculum development more closely with national education goals.

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