NCERT gets status of deemed university, can now award degrees – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted deemed university status, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Friday. He made the announcement during his address at the 63rd foundation day of the Council. Deemed-to-be-university is recognition to higher education institutions that excel in specific areas of study.
NCERT will now be able to award its own graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees, thereby expanding its influence over India’s educational landscape.
“NCERT has been given the status of a deemed-to-be-university. It has established a formidable presence in research, actively shaped school education, teacher training and adult literacy. NCERT on becoming a research university will offer opportunities for global collaborations,” said Pradhan.
As the apex organisation for school education, the NCERT undertakes various activities and programmes, including educational research and innovation, curriculum development and development of textual and teaching-learning materials.
Pradhan called for integration of Bal Bhavans and Bal Vatikas into NCERT, envisioning a comprehensive educational approach which is aimed at providing holistic education to children.
NCERT has been granted the deemed-to-be-university status in ‘de novo’ category which means it can apply to UGC for setting up a new institution as deemed to be university for undertaking study and research in emerging areas of knowledge that are not offered by any existing institution. Apart from awarding degrees to teachers, it will decide courses it wants to offer.
Pradhan suggested setting up augmented reality, virtual reality and AI labs at regional centres of NCERT.