National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Overview

• NCERT is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Established in 1961.
• Headquartered in New Delhi.
• Functions as the apex body for school education policy, research and curriculum development in India.

Objectives

• Assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies related to school education.
• Develop and update the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
• Prepare model textbooks and teaching-learning materials.
• Promote research in school education.
• Organise teacher training and capacity-building programmes.
• Support innovation, inclusive education and educational technology.

Major Functions

Curriculum Development

• Frames the National Curriculum Framework periodically.
• Provides guidelines for syllabus development for classes I–XII.
• Aligns school curriculum with national education policies such as NEP 2020.

Textbook Preparation

• Publishes NCERT textbooks widely used across India.
• Supplies textbooks to CBSE-affiliated schools and several state boards.
• Ensures standardisation and affordability of learning material.

Research and Innovation

• Conducts research on pedagogy, assessment, and educational reforms.
• Develops innovative teaching strategies and digital resources.

Teacher Training

• Provides in-service training for teachers.
• Develops modules for continuous professional development.

Educational Technology

• Supports e-content development through platforms like DIKSHA.
• Promotes ICT integration in classrooms.

Organisational Structure

Governing Body

• Headed by the Union Minister of Education as President.
• Includes representatives from states, universities and educational institutions.

Executive Committee

• Responsible for administrative and academic decisions.

Departments and Units

• National Institute of Education (NIE), New Delhi
• Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs)
• Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET)
• Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE)

Regional Institutes of Education

• Located at Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Shillong.
• Focus on teacher education and regional academic needs.

Role in Indian Education System

• Provides academic guidance to CBSE and other boards.
• Ensures curriculum uniformity at national level.
• Acts as knowledge partner in implementation of education reforms.
• Plays key role in competency-based learning and experiential pedagogy.

Recent Relevance

• Revision of textbooks in line with NEP 2020.
• Introduction of competency-based and multidisciplinary curriculum.
• Digital learning initiatives and rationalisation of syllabus.
• Debates around textbook content and institutional autonomy.

Significance

• Central pillar of India’s school education ecosystem.
• Influences learning outcomes for millions of students.
• Ensures affordability and accessibility of quality textbooks.
• Contributes to national integration through common academic standards