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This decision was taken by the Ministry of Education through a notification issued on March 30, 2026, under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. The approval comes after a process of nearly three years. With this new status, NCERT will no longer remain limited to school education but will also play an active role in higher education and research.
NCERT has been declared a deemed university under the “distinct category.” This means it will not function like a conventional university but as a specialized national institution. Under this status, NCERT will have the autonomy to design, develop and implement its own academic programmes while maintaining its identity as an expert body in education.
Courses from Diploma to PhD Level
With this new status, NCERT will now be able to offer diploma, undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), doctoral (PhD), and other specialized programmes. The focus will be on areas such as teacher education, educational research, curriculum design, EdTech and innovation. Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, NCERT has also been directed to introduce doctoral and innovative programmes to promote research and innovation.
Until now, NCERT’s primary responsibility was to develop school curricula, textbooks, and academic guidelines. However, it will now contribute to higher education, teacher training, policy research, and global academic engagement. This transformation is expected to develop NCERT into a research-driven institution.
Benefits Extended to Six Key Institutions
The deemed university status is not limited to NCERT’s headquarters in Delhi but also extends to its six constituent institutions. These include the Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, along with the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal. These institutions will now be able to start their own courses independently without relying on other universities.
Operations Under UGC Regulations
Although NCERT has been granted autonomy, it will operate under the regulatory framework of the UGC. All academic programmes must comply with UGC norms and quality standards. Additionally, the establishment of new courses, off-campus centres, or international campuses will require adherence to UGC guidelines.
The government has clearly stated that NCERT will not engage in any commercial or profit-making activities. Its funds will be used strictly for academic, research and training purposes, and any diversion of funds without prior approval will not be permitted.
Mandatory Rankings, Accreditation, and Digital Systems
NCERT will now be required to participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It must also obtain accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). To strengthen digital education, the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system will be implemented, where students’ credits will be securely stored in digital lockers.
Approval After a Three-Year Process
The process for granting this status began in September 2022, when NCERT applied to the UGC. In August 2023, the Ministry of Education issued a Letter of Intent, directing the institution to strengthen its academic and research capacity. NCERT submitted its compliance report in November 2025, which was approved by a UGC expert committee. Finally, the proposal was cleared in the UGC’s 595th meeting held on January 30, 2026, followed by the official notification in March 2026.
Earlier, there was a proposal to grant NCERT the status of an “Institution of National Importance,” but the government later opted for the deemed university route, considering it more flexible and practical.
Some teachers and experts had raised concerns that becoming a degree-granting institution might affect NCERT’s autonomy and its focus on school education. However, the government and policymakers believe that this move will strengthen the institution’s capabilities and expand its impact.
A Major Step Towards the Future of Education
Overall, granting deemed university status to NCERT is seen as a significant reform in India’s education system. It is expected to open new avenues in teacher training, research, innovation and policy-making. This step will also help India move closer to global education standards and build a stronger, modern and knowledge-based education system.
