Major Shift: From School Curriculum Body to Degree-Granting Institution
The decision, notified by the Ministry of Education on March 30, 2026, declares NCERT and its six constituent units as an institution “deemed to be university” under a distinct category as per Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
With this decision, NCERT will now be empowered to:
- Launch its own academic programmes, including innovative and interdisciplinary courses
- Offer doctoral (PhD) programmes and advanced research opportunities
- Design and implement its own curriculum in higher education
- Expand its role in teacher education and educational policy research
This marks a transition from being primarily a school education advisory and textbook body to a full-fledged academic and research institution.
Expanded Mandate Under UGC Framework
By coming under the UGC framework, NCERT will now function within the broader ecosystem of higher education regulation in India. Deemed university status typically grants institutions academic autonomy, including the ability to award degrees and structure courses independently, while still being subject to periodic UGC oversight.
The development is aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes multidisciplinary institutions, research-driven education, and institutional flexibility.Background: Proposal and Government Push
The move comes nearly three years after the Union government first signalled its intent to expand NCERT’s mandate. The plan to transform NCERT into a research-oriented institution was part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s educational research ecosystem and teacher training infrastructure.
Earlier announcements by the Ministry of Education had also highlighted that granting deemed university status would:
- Enhance NCERT’s research capabilities
- Enable global collaborations
- Allow the institution to contribute more actively to higher education policy and innovation
Internal Concerns Over Autonomy
However, the decision has not been without controversy. Concerns had been raised internally within NCERT about the potential erosion of institutional autonomy.
As reported earlier, a faculty
member had cautioned that bringing NCERT under UGC could lead to “surrender
of academic autonomy”, arguing that NCERT currently serves as the apex
authority for school education, much like UGC does for higher education.
Critics fear that integration into the UGC framework might dilute NCERT’s independent role in shaping school-level curricula and policies.
What ‘Deemed University’ Status Means
In India, a “deemed to be university” is an institution recognized for high academic standards and excellence in a specific field, granted autonomy to function like a university.
Such institutions can:
Award their own degrees- Conduct independent research
- Frame admission policies and curricula
Operate with academic flexibility while adhering to UGC norms
Implications for Education
Ecosystem
The move is expected to have wide-ranging implications:
- For Students: New opportunities for higher studies in education, pedagogy, and curriculum research
- For Teachers: Enhanced teacher training programmes and academic pathways
- For Policy: Stronger integration between school education and higher education research
At the same time, experts believe the success of this transition will depend on how well NCERT balances its expanded academic role with its foundational responsibility in school education.
Conclusion
The granting of deemed university status to the National Council of Educational Research and Training represents a transformative moment in India’s education landscape. By bridging school education and higher academic research under the University Grants Commission framework, the move could redefine how curriculum, pedagogy, and policy evolve in the coming years—provided concerns over autonomy and institutional focus are effectively addressed.