DEEMED UNIVERSITY TAG

• Recently, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the deemed university status.
• 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.
• 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.
• Despite offering innovative teacher education courses through RIEs for decades, the NCERT is still dependent on the approval of local universities to introduce programmes.

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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT