The Ministry of Education has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and its six Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) as a Deemed University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. This marks a landmark institutional upgrade for India's premier body for school education.\n\nThe six Regional Institutes of Education that will come under the deemed university umbrella are located in Ajmer (Rajasthan), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Mysuru (Karnataka), Shillong (Meghalaya), and a newly established institute in the Northern region. The Ajmer RIE is particularly significant for Rajasthan, being a major centre for teacher training and educational research in the state.\n\nWith deemed university status, NCERT will now be empowered to offer formal academic degrees — including Diplomas, Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes — specifically in the field of education and teacher training. This will allow NCERT to formally credential and certify the training it has long provided informally.\n\nThe government has stipulated that NCERT, as a deemed university, will be barred from engaging in any profit-making activities, ensuring that its academic focus remains public and educational in nature.\n\nThis development is a significant milestone under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which had envisaged restructuring teacher education institutions and creating centres of excellence in education. Granting deemed university status to NCERT aligns with NEP 2020's vision of making teacher preparation a rigorous, university-level discipline in India.
NCERT Granted Deemed University Status
Ministry of Education declared NCERT and its 6 Regional Institutes of Education (including Ajmer, Rajasthan) as Deemed University under Section 3 of UGC Act. NCERT can now offer Diploma, UG, PG, PhD in education. Profit activities barred. NEP 2020 milestone.
Key facts
- Ministry of Education declared NCERT and its 6 Regional Institutes of Education as a Deemed University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
- The covered constituent units include RIEs at Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar and Mysuru, NERIE Shillong, and PSSCIVE Bhopal.
- NCERT can now offer Diploma, UG, PG, and PhD degrees in education and teacher training.
- Profit-making activities are barred for NCERT as a deemed university.
- The Ajmer RIE is a major teacher training centre in Rajasthan with direct local significance.
- This is a key milestone under NEP 2020's vision of elevating teacher education to a rigorous university-level discipline.
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In which Rajasthan city is the Regional Institute of Education (RIE) that has now been included under NCERT's Deemed University status?
The Regional Institute of Education in Ajmer, Rajasthan is one of the six RIEs included under NCERT's newly granted Deemed University status under Section 3 of the UGC Act.
Source: Ministry of Education
Frequently asked questions
Under which section of which Act was NCERT granted Deemed University status?
NCERT was granted Deemed University status under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.
Which RIE is located in Rajasthan and what is its significance?
The Regional Institute of Education in Ajmer, Rajasthan is a major centre for teacher training and educational research in the state. It will now come under the Deemed University umbrella.
What types of degrees can NCERT now offer after receiving Deemed University status?
NCERT can now offer Diplomas, Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and PhD programmes, specifically in the field of education and teacher training.
Can NCERT engage in profit-making activities as a Deemed University?
No, the government has explicitly barred NCERT from engaging in any profit-making activities to ensure its focus remains public and educational.
How does NCERT's Deemed University status relate to NEP 2020?
NEP 2020 envisioned restructuring teacher education institutions and creating centres of excellence. Granting NCERT Deemed University status implements this vision by making teacher preparation a formal, university-level discipline.
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