The Ministry of Education, on the advice of the UGC, has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be a university under a distinct category. In its statement, the Ministry informed that an online application was uploaded on UGC Portal for grant of Institution deemed to be University status under distinct category to NCERT. The Ministry added that the recommendation of the UGC Expert Committee was considered and approved by the commission. The Ministry also directed the NCERT to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes.

 

The NCERT is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals among others.