NCERT Expands into Higher Education with New Degree Programs by 2027-28

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is making a significant shift by entering the higher education sector, with plans to introduce undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs starting in the 2027-28 academic year. This initiative aims to enhance teacher training and modernize educational methodologies. Initial offerings will include integrated courses like BA-BEd, BSc-BEd, and BCom-BEd, focusing on effective teaching strategies and technology integration. Additionally, NCERT's regional centers will be upgraded to colleges, ensuring a comprehensive educational framework. Discover more about this transformative step in education.

By Ambika Singh Sep 23, 2026, 14:33 IST

NCERT's New Direction in Higher Education

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is set to broaden its scope beyond just developing school curricula and textbooks. Starting in the academic year 2027-28, NCERT will enter the higher education arena. This initiative will introduce undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs, initially offering integrated courses like BA-BEd, BSc-BEd, and BCom-BEd. These programs will focus on enhancing school education, incorporating modern teaching methodologies, artificial intelligence, and child-centric pedagogical strategies. To support this transition, NCERT plans to upgrade its regional centers into full-fledged colleges.

Launch of New Courses in 2027-28

NCERT has been recognized as a 'Deemed-to-be University,' which allows it to launch its first set of UG, PG, and PhD programs in the 2027-28 academic session. The initial offerings will include integrated degree programs such as BA-BEd, BSc-BEd, and BCom-BEd.

Emphasis on Teacher Training

The curriculum for these new courses will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of school education. Important areas of focus will include effective teaching strategies, play-based learning, technology integration, and AI-enhanced teaching methods. NCERT will work in conjunction with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to ensure the curriculum is up to date.

Assessment Findings Highlight Educational Gaps

Recent assessments conducted by NCERT aimed at gauging the proficiency of students in classes 3, 6, and 9 across various subjects, including language, mathematics, science, and social studies. The findings revealed significant gaps in basic mathematical skills, with 45% of Class 3 students unable to accurately write numbers up to 99, and 47% of Class 6 students failing to recite the multiplication table of 10.

Regional Centers Transitioning to Colleges

Six regional centers of NCERT will be transformed into colleges, including those in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysore, Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education. These centers currently offer degrees and PhD programs in collaboration with local universities, but preparations are underway to launch NCERT's own degree programs starting in 2027. Students who are already enrolled will continue to receive their degrees from the respective universities.