The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted the status of an "Institution deemed to be University under distinct category" by the Centre.
This move enables NCERT to independently offer degree programmes, strengthening teacher education and research in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
With the new status, NCERT will be able to offer diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and specialized programmes, while continuing its core role in school curriculum development.
The "distinct category" tag recognises NCERT's specialised national role, setting it apart from conventional universities while allowing it the autonomy to design and run academic programmes.
The decision follows a process spanning more than three years, with NCERT submitting its compliance report in November 2025, which was accepted by a UGC expert committee in January 2026.
The ministry has directed the institution to "commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes" and expand into new areas in line with NEP 2020.
