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NCERT Receives 'Deemed University' Status from Central Government

In a significant move, the Central Government has granted 'Deemed University' status to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This designation, based on UGC's recommendations, allows NCERT to independently offer degree programs, thereby strengthening its contributions to teacher education and educational research. Established in 1961, NCERT's new status aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, marking a pivotal development in India's educational landscape. The notification details the six constituent units under NCERT, which will now operate with enhanced academic privileges.
By Sourabh Singh Apr 3, 2026, 14:00 IST
NCERT Receives 'Deemed University' Status from Central Government

NCERT Achieves Deemed University Status



The Central Government has officially designated the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as a 'Deemed University'. This decision follows the recommendations made by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Union Ministry of Education has issued a formal notification confirming NCERT's new status under a specific category. As per the notification, this recognition is granted under a 'Special Category' in accordance with Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.



The UGC had previously suggested issuing a 'Letter of Intent' (LoI) to NCERT, contingent upon certain stipulations. The recommendations from the UGC Expert Committee were thoroughly reviewed and subsequently sanctioned by the Commission. The notification elaborates: "In accordance with Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, an online application was submitted on the UGC portal to confer the status of 'Deemed to be University'—under a distinct category—to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), situated at Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi. This includes the following six constituent units:



  1. Regional Institute of Education, Ajmer, Rajasthan


  2. Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh


  3. Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, Odisha


  4. Regional Institute of Education, Manasagangotri, Mysore, Karnataka


  5. North East Regional Institute of Education, Shillong, Meghalaya


  6. Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.



With this new status, NCERT is now empowered to independently offer degree programs, enhancing its role in teacher education and educational research, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Established in 1961 under the Societies Registration Act, NCERT's primary objective has been to support and advise the government on school education matters. According to this Act, any higher educational institution excelling in a specific field can be designated as a 'Deemed-to-be-University' by the Central Government, based on UGC's advice. Institutions with 'Deemed University' status enjoy the same academic recognition and privileges as traditional universities.


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