Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship announced that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted the status of deemed university.

Why did NCERT apply for Deemed University Tag?

• Lack of Government Decision: The government’s proposal to make the NCERT an institute of national importance is on hold.

• Benefits: The status would allow NCERT to offer its own graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees and have autonomy in terms of introduction of programmes, course structure, conducting examinations and management, among others.

• Present Status: The graduate and post-graduate programmes offered by NCERT’s Regional Institute of Education (RIE) are affiliated with local universities like Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M D S University, Ajmer, University of Mysuru, Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar and North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

• Need: Despite offering innovative teacher education courses through RIEs for decades, the NCERT is still dependent on the approval of local universities to introduce programmes.

Key Points

• The announcement was made by the Union Minister at an event to mark the 63rd foundation day of NCERT in the national capital.

• Institutions that are ‘deemed-to-be-university’ enjoy the academic status and privileges of a university. 

• Now with the deemed university status, NCERT will offer graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.

• Apart from this, Ministry of Education also called for the merging of Bal Bhavans and Bal Vatika with the NCERT to 'provide holistic education to children.'

About National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

• The NCERT is an autonomous organization set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.

• The Executive Committee (EC) is the highest decision-making body of NCERT and is chaired by the Education Minister.

Objectives

• To undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develop educational kits, multimedia digital materials, etc.

• 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.

About Deemed University

• Deemed University is a type of higher education institute, it has been recognized by the status of “deemed to be university” under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.

• In broad terms, it means that the institution has been granted permission to offer its own degree programs, which are equivalent to those provided by regular universities.

Benefits

• There are many benefits of being a Deemed University, such as increased funding opportunities and attracting better faculty. Additionally, these institutions often have more flexible admissions policies.

• The authority to revise the curriculum.

• The right to conduct examinations and evaluations.

What are the other Different types of Universities in India?

• Central University: A university established or incorporated by a Central Act. The establishment and operation are funded by the Union Government.

• State University: A university established or incorporated by a Provincial Act or by a State Act.

• Private University: A university established through a State/Central Act by a sponsoring body viz. A Society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, or any other corresponding law for the time being in force in a State or a Public Trust or a Company registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

• Institution of National Importance: An Institution established by Act of Parliament and declared as Institution of National Importance. They are funded by the Government of India and include all the IITs, NITs and AIIMs institutes.

• Institution under State Legislature Act: An Institution established or incorporated by a State Legislature Act.