NCERT’s new identity: Questions that remain
The Indian Ministry of Education has granted deemed university status to the NCERT, a body traditionally focused on school curriculum and pedagogy. This shift raises concerns about whether the institution will maintain its focus on grassroots educational needs or become overly academic.
Why it matters
This institutional change could fundamentally alter how school textbooks and pedagogical standards are developed for millions of Indian students.
The recent decision of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to grant deemed university status to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) marks a significant institutional shift in the country’s education landscape. Since its establishment in 1961 as an autonomous body under the Union government, NCERT has functioned as an academic authority mainly responsible for curriculum design, textbook and digital content development, and pedagogical guidance for school education. Its transformation into a university signals an expansion of its mandate and raises many questions.
The article presents a balanced view of the institutional shift, acknowledging both the global trend of university-integrated teacher education and the specific risks to NCERT's core mandate.
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