Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made a big announcement at the 63rd Foundation Day celebrations of NCERT, while addressing a program at NCERT, he said that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is now a 'Deemed University' i.e. deemed university status Has been given. NCERT will now be able to award its own undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees, thereby increasing its impact on the educational landscape of India.
Dharmendra Pradhan said in the national capital that NCERT is already engaged in research and innovation. It is an institute of national importance and hence has been accorded the status of 'Deemed to be University'. He said that regional and state education councils across the country would function as off-campus of NCERT.
What are Deemed Universities?
According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), Deemed University status is granted under the 'De Nevo' category to institutions that are working to a high standard in specific areas of study. The Central Government grants the status of 'Deemed to be University' to institutions on the advice of the UGC. The institutes get this status under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. NCERT had applied to UGC for Deemed University status.
Changes after NCERT got Deemed University status
After getting the status of deemed university from NCERT, graduation, post graduation and doctoral courses can be started here. Along with this, NCERT can also be entrusted with the work of designing different types of examinations, syllabus of various examinations, examination pattern etc.
NCERT: Nurturing Educational Excellence
- Established under the Societies Act in 1961, NCERT has played a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of India.
- It has continuously provided valuable assistance and guidance to the Government in matters relating to school education.
- The institute's dedication towards maintaining high standards in education has now earned it the prestigious status of Deemed University.
Innovative Labs inaugurated
During the event, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated three laboratories, one of which was dedicated to virtual reality education and the other focused on teacher training. These laboratories symbolize NCERT's commitment to use cutting-edge technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches to enhance the quality of education in India.