After failing to get ‘National Importance’ status, NCERT vies for ‘deemed university’ tag

Source: The post is based on the article “After failing to get ‘National Importance’ status, NCERT vies for ‘deemed university’ tag” published in Indian Express on 14th September 2022.

What is the News?

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the “deemed university” status under the de novo category. 

What is Deemed University?

The status of deemed-to-be-university is awarded in accordance with Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.

An Institution of Higher Education, other than universities, working at a very high standard in a specific area of study, can be declared by the Central Government on the advice of the UGC as an Institution ‘deemed-to-be-university’.

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

What is De Novo Deemed University?

De-Novo Deemed University is an institution that can apply to the UGC for setting up a new institution as deemed to be a University which will undertake study and research in unique and emerging areas of knowledge that are not offered by any existing institution.

Why does NCERT want the Deemed University status?

Currently, the graduate and postgraduate programmes offered by NCERT’s Regional Institute of Education (RIE) are affiliated with local universities.

The deemed university 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.

What is NCERT?

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.